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windrush-child · 2 years

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Love In The Dark 5

A fateful encounter between you and a fearless racing driver turns your whole life upside down. This is the story of a blossoming love affair, in the shadows of a loveless marriage.

Disclaimer - This story contains descriptions of domestic violence and general adult content. 18+.

There's a faint rustle in the bedsheets behind you when you blink your eyes open. You've been awake for some time already, have enjoyed basking in the sunrise, orange rays through the curtains on your bare skin. It's so early still, so peaceful, the sky painted in an ember tinge.

It doesn't take long before you're engulfed by warmth. First it's a hand, then an arm around the soft skin of your belly, till you feel his chest against your back as he gently pulls you closer, his face buried in your hair. "Morning," you mumble, smiling when you hear a soft groan in response. Lewis is half asleep, feels a bit stiff from a long and late night as he nestles against you. He knows he's not meant to do this on a race weekend - his performance coaches claim it messes with his concentration - but when you told him you'd be coming to Austin for the Grand Prix, just for him, how could he have possibly said no? So, after finishing his media duties, he snuck over to your hotel room last night, the heartache too strong to wait any longer.

Your lover is lazily kissing your neck, your shoulder from behind, slowly running his hand down your belly, slips it lower and lower until it rest on your mound. He's not even fully awake yet, you're sure, but this is where Lewis finds himself by instinct - as close to you as he can, your heartbeat beneath his fingertips. When you open your thighs for him, it feels only natural to do so. You're not as shy anymore when it comes to this; not ashamed of yourself any longer for asking for pleasure. Lewis had personally made sure you'd never feel that way again after your time together in Monaco. He hums against your skin, teasing and testing between your legs as he runs just a fingertip along your entrance. "You're wet." he says, voice rough from sleep. It makes your face flush, you can only imagine the pleased smile on his lips. "You're hard," you return, wantonly pressing your bum against where he's hot, slowly grinding on his manhood so he groans into the back of your neck. "Not my fault," he rasps into your ear, and his hands find your waist, easily aligning your body with his. "You were blowing me in my dream." he teases, and what would sound crude out of anyone else's mouth makes you feel hot all over when it comes from his. You reach back to run a hand along his side, over the sharp line of his hip. God, you had missed him so much.

Saying goodbye in Monaco, after your last day with him, was agonising. You'd kissed for half an eternity and then some more before you finally managed to pull away. Lewis had offered you to stay, but as hard as it was to say no, you knew you'd have to return to Vienna at some point. Not indefinitely, though - but to hatch a plan. You don't know how, and you don't know when exactly. But one thing's for sure - you won't suffer through this sad excuse of a marriage any longer. Whatever is left between you and your husband, it certainly isn't love, and you've started to doubt whether it ever was. If there's anything the time with Lewis has taught you, it's that loving someone doesn't have be frightening, or painful, or conditional. You haven't dared telling him yet, haven't said the word out loud, but the way he makes you feel is unlike anything you've ever felt before. It's the way he looks at you, and the way he laughs at your witless jokes, and how much he indulges in pleasing you when it's just you and him beneath the covers. God, you hadn't been touched by a man in so long; that first night in Monaco had almost felt biblical. There's no skirting around it. You're falling for him, so hard that it's becoming nigh impossible to ignore.

When Lewis manhandles you onto your belly, suddenly awake, you don't protest at all. He doesn't need to ask, because you've already parted your legs for him, tilting your hips up against his groin, anticipating. He guides himself into you, sighs in relief as the head slips in. You let your face fall into the pillow, moaning at the heavenly stretch, the warmth as he lowers himself onto you. He's heavy, but pleasantly so, wraps both arms around your body so there's nothing but his weight on top of you, inside of you as he starts rolling his hips to open you up. You love it when he takes you like this, slow, deep strokes from behind, held tight so you take whatever he gives to you. You reach around, put your hand on the side of his thigh, a silent praise as you dig your fingernails into his skin. Lewis groans into your shoulder. "Mhm...fuck. You don’t know what you do to me," he sighs into you ear, makes you whimper when his thrusts get heavier, messier. "You're gonna make me finish way too quick, baby-" he moans, so shameless. A tremble runs through your legs, up into your core, always when he speaks to you like this. He’s hitting the spot over and over, gets his hand under your body so he can press his fingers down on the swollen nub between your legs. Lewis knows how to handle you, knows just where to touch, has you panting and twitching beneath him so easily as your release washes over you. When he feels it, he loses the fight, groans rough and with relish as he spills himself deep inside you. It's always like this, you've learnt - nothing pushes him over the edge quicker than your pleasure, the little noises you make, the way you shiver underneath him. Heaven.

If it were up to you, really, the both of you could do this all day. It's essentially all you did in Monte Carlo: fooling around, having sex, eating good food, and sleeping in. Unfortunately, there's a race car and Free Practice waiting for him at the track today. He's gonna have to leave soon, it’s half past eight already.

"Which one should I pick? Loose or tight-fitted?" Lewis says as he holds up two pairs of trousers that he brought in his travel bag. You purse your lips and nod towards the blue jeans. "Tight-fitted," you answer. There's a smirk on his lips as he unfolds them. "Of course you'd say that," he hums.

You're still naked, wrapped up in the warm blanket when he reappears out of the bathroom, all dressed up and fresh for the day. He can't resist it though as he passes the bed, leans down to lower his face into your neck, kissing you there and breathing you in. "Have fun at the track, baby." you say, running your fingertips through his beard, because you know he loves it when you do. "I'll meet you in your motor home tonight, yeah?" Lewis nods, secretly wishes he could just take you to the paddock with him one day. He presses one last, lingering kiss to your lips.

—-

Sweat is running down Lewis' back when he pulls himself out of the cockpit, arms shaking from exertion. The long runs felt like being cooked alive on the tarmac, with a track temperature that's well beyond tolerable and merciless sunshine. The first thing he does is unzip his overalls to the hip, and debates with himself whether to ditch the fireproofs as well when he sees that most of his pitcrew have already unbuttoned their shirt collars. The car is quicker than she was before, but not by much. Lewis is still feeling the unpleasant bumps and vibrations in his joints, winces a little when he feels something pull inbetween his shoulder blades. He looks at his watch and sighs - just a ninety minute break until FP2, too short to take a meaningful nap. "Lewis, would you come here just quickly." Toto calls from behind his screen, lights reflecting off his glasses as the driver chugs down some electrolytes. "What's up?" Lewis says, breathy from the heat. The boss clears his voice. "I know you're not a fan of spontaneous changes of plans," he starts, "But Domenicali and his airlines-rep have asked to speak to you about a promo event for Abu Dhabi." Lewis furrows his brows. "I didn't give them an answer on your behalf, of course. But what they've told me, is that they want to have you on some kind of pre-race special." his boss continues. "They- what? And he wants to speak to me right now?" Lewis asks, not even done wiping the sweat off his face. What a wonderful way to spend his break. "Well, they're having a coffee break in the briefing room, so frankly, go whenever you feel like it." Toto shrugs, slight contempt in his voice that always betrays how he feels about the sport's officials. The driver sighs, tossing his towel over a chair. "And who's that other guy again?" "Emirates Airlines, marketing and PR. Goes by the name of Waltz." Toto responds as he scrolls through some sector times on the screen. Lewis freezes, eyes flickering back to his boss. "Waltz?" he repeats, though he's heard it clearly the first time. Fuck. The guy was supposed to be on a two week business trip to Doha, far, far away from Austin, and more importantly, far away from you. At least this is what he told you. He has no clue you're here, probaby still believes you're back in Vienna as of now. "Precisely," Toto says, "You might remember him from Monza? He and his bosses announced they're sponsoring the Jeddah Grand Prix for the coming years." he adds. Lewis blinks, and all of a sudden feels aware of his own blood pressure. Your husband, the man who's put you through living hell, who has brought you to tears more times than Lewis can bear to imagine - just one building away. "Huh. Interesting," he mumbles as he ties the sleeves of his race suit tight around his hips. If the bastard wants to speak to him, so be it - Lewis has been dying to finally meet him, after all. "Guess it would be rude to let them wait." he says, can't contain the venom in his words before he’s heading to the FIA centre, heavy strides.

—-

He hears laughter as he opens the door to the briefing room. Stefano and Waltz, two cups of coffee between them, are sitting at the same end of the table, engaged in a very friendly conversation before they notice the Mercedes driver in the door frame. Lewis stands still, and has to use every ounce of his willpower not to glare daggers at him. He looks just like he'd expected, pretentiously dressed in an expensive black suit, a smile on his lips that aims to be charming but ends up looking sly, greying hair, and the biting smell of a stale cigar. He must be at least twenty-five years older than you, maybe more. "Good afternoon, Lewis. Please, take a seat." Stefano says and pulls out a chair for him, which he reluctantly accepts. The other man extends his hand. "I am so pleased to meet you, Sir. My name is Josef Waltz." he says, his Austrian accent thick and grating in Lewis' ears. He shakes his hand, movements stiff as he sits down across from him. "Can I offer you an espresso?" Stefano asks, but Lewis bluntly declines. "I don't like coffee," he says, arms crossed in front of his chest as he leans back into the chair. "Formula one drivers, always so hard to please," Waltz jokes and Domenicali chuckles in approval. Lewis makes half an attempt to smile, but is pretty sure he ends up looking mental. "Now, we don't want to waste your time. Let's get straight to business." Waltz begins, leaning forward on his elbow. "As you may have heard, we would like to shoot a pre-race special for the Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, which will involve a group of female racing drivers from the emirate and two of our pilots. It will be part of F1's inclusivity campaign." "And you want me to be in it?" Lewis interrupts, more sharply than he should. "Exactly," Waltz smiles and continues. "What you do, as the face of the sport, is very commendable. Our special will be dedicated to women's rights and female progress in motorsport. And we believe you'd be a valuable addition to the theme." he says, and Lewis nearly chokes on his own tongue. If this was a movie script, he'd think it would be too on the nose - The piece of shit that beats his wife behind closed doors wants to raise awareness about women's rights. They've got to be taking the piss.

When a chuckle slips from the driver's lips, both Stefano and Waltz raise their brows. "I see," Lewis says, rubbing over his beard. "The thing is... I'm in very high demand at the moment." he continues, makes it sound as smug as possible so a flicker of annoyance flashes through the Austrian's face. "I just have so much other stuff to do, you know?" Waltz presses his lips together, and his jaw twitches ever so lightly. The friendly-professional look in his eye changes, turning into something different as he blinks at the Mercedes driver. "I fully understand that it gets difficult with a schedule like yours. You're a very hardworking man, obviously..." he begins, and to anyone else, this would probably seem like harmless chit-chat. To Lewis, it sounds like foreboding. "Though I heard you were able to spend some time off at home, right? That must've been very refreshing," he says. The smile on his face feels unsettling. "Did you enjoy your time in Monaco?" Lewis slowly leans forward on the table, arms bulged out on purpose so the prick thinks twice about what he says next. I especially enjoyed fucking your wife, Lewis almost wants to spit, but banishes the idea to the back of his mind. "I did. Thanks for asking," he responds instead, not once breaking eye contact as he stares the man down. Waltz doesn't say another word, that crooked smile still on his lips. What does he know? "Well, this isn't a matter we immediately have to make a decision on, gentlemen." Stefano blurts into the absurdly tense room. "The offer stands, and I'd suggest you simply let me know if you can fit the event into your schedule, Lewis." He doesn’t even register the words anymore. The images in his head are taunting him; images of you being mistreated at the hands of this pathetic coward. He wants to bare his teeth at both of them, wants to grip Waltz by the collar and rough him so bad that he never even thinks of laying a finger on you again. And though the asshole would deserve it, Lewis knows he can't play the vigilante right now. It would only cause more trouble. He doesn’t give him another look, and wordlessly leaves the room.

—-

The sun has set as you walk through the gates of the back entrance, floodlights illuminating the circuit in close distance. You're choosing the detour, however, no reason to draw any attention to yourself. Most of the cameras are off at this time of the night though, just a few stray engineers and journalists strolling about. The air has cooled down quite a bit, you notice as you turn the corner to the parking lot, with a few raindrops falling from the clouds. You're wearing a thick hoodie, though, borrowed indefinitely from Lewis, which keeps you cozy and warm. You wear this one often, not only because you find it quite stylish, but because the smell reminds you of him so much. Earlier today, you watched a bit of FP1 in your hotel room, just to see him for a while. He’s done very well, you think, has tried his best to tame the spiteful thing as he calls it.

Just as you spot the Mercedes trailer in the distance, a voice calls for you from behind. You spot a figure jogging towards you when you turn around. It's Lewis.

"Hey, come here," he pants with urgency, no hi baby, no beaming smile on his face like usual. Before you get a chance to respond, he puts an arm around your shoulders and pulls you in, as if he's trying to shield you from something. "Come on, we have to go-" "Wha- Hey!" you complain as he basically drags you along. What the hell has gotten into him? "I promise I'll explain later. But we gotta get to the motor home, now." he returns, voice stern like you've never heard before - but you're not having it. "Lewis- bloody talk to me!" you warn, stopping in your tracks. He eases off when you grip both of his arms firmly, looking up at him bewildered. "What's going on? What are we running for?"

He sighs heavily, seems somewhere between agitated and enraged like a bull. It's extremely unlike him. He checks around the parking lot once, then speaks up. "Your husband..." he begins, tension in his jaw. "He's not in Doha, it was a lie. He's here at the track." Lewis says. Your face turns as pale as a ghost. "What do mean he's here?" you ask, wide-eyed, voice no more than a whisper. "Domenicali invited him," he says. You understand the livid flicker in his eyes now. "I just sat at a table with him earlier. Kinda wanted to bash his head in. But, listen-" He takes your face into his hands, gently, tries to cool his blood. He hesitates before he speaks. "I think... he may have caught on to us." "What?" you blurt out, trying and failing to keep it down, "What did he say to you?" Lewis shakes his head, brows furrowed. "It's just... he was acting strange. Asked some really pointed questions. I'm almost sure he knows you came to see me in Monaco." he says. When he looks at you again, his brown eyes are flooded with worry. "Sweetie, look-" he starts, softly stroking over you cheeks with his thumbs. "I’m worried for your safety. I don't want this man around you, at all." he says, and takes a deep breath. "I know it’s a lot to ask, but please, will you let me get you out of here? I've already talked to Angela, she could arrange a flight to Monaco tonight-" "Lewis- No," you barge in, shaking your head over and over. This can't be it; this can't be how you live your life. You can't let this monster hold such power over you that you find yourself running from him, constantly forced to leave Lewis behind. All of a sudden, your heart is gripped by courage. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying with you." you say, pulling him closer when you see the uncertainty in his eyes. "All these years I had to bow down to my husband and walk on eggshells every day," you begin, soaked by the cold rain at this point, but you don't care. "I've had enough. He's not gonna do this to me all over again. I won’t let him." Lewis raises his brows, a hopeful glimmer on his face as he listens, turning soft when you place your hand on the back of his neck. "I don't care what he says. I don't care what anyone says," you begin, and catch him by surprise when you press your lips to his, kissing him hard like it’s the last chance you'll ever have. "I'm in love with you," you say, laid out bare before him, a raw crack in your voice as you hold on to him for dear life. In a heartbeat, Lewis falters.

It’s like the world stands still when his lips meet yours, kissing and tugging as all restraints fall loose. It feels life-changing, the way your tongues find each other, pouring your hearts out in the rain without having to say a single word, only soft gasps and low moans. He’s holding on to you tight, hands gripping all over your body, and it’s so familiar, so right.

You feel lightheaded, love-drunk as you part, gazing into his kind eyes. You might die if you ever let go of him. “I love you,” it spills out of him, then again and again like he’s been holding it back for far too long, his forehead touching yours. His words fill your chest, a sweet ache as they sink in. You hope the whole world has heard them.

He takes you to bed, later that night, dried off and wrapped up in a shirt from his wardrobe. It feels like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders, can breathe more easily than you ever have as you lie next to the man you love, your baby, spoiled by his lips and the touch of his hands wherever he can reach. When you wake up the next morning, Lewis is sprawled out on the bed, body tangled with yours, snoring peacefully as you wake him with a kiss to his throat. A soft, sleepy groan leaves his lips - It’s the most beautiful sound in the world.

—-

@pedrohoe04 @mochachocolatteyaya @capela-miranda @iamasimpingh0e @bekindbecoolbeyou @urdadismabitch @furiouscaseofastudent @mrsjubelova @raaaaabzzz @honeybadgerr @memoriesat30 @hoebx @tomhollandisabae @dhlfastestlap @njrronaldo7 @leilaxaliel @honethatty12 @peyispromotinghershit @babyflowa07 @mercedesjpg @sugardontbesweet (hope I got everybody!)

#lewis hamilton #lewis hamilton x you #lewis hamilton x reader #lewis hamilton fanfic #lewis hamilton imagine #lewis hamilton smut

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avenirdelight · 11 months

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meeting ryan mason🤍🌟

i never even imagined to actually meet ryan, let alone to have the little moment that we had.

i’m so thankful that he gave me a few minutes of his time. it was lovely meeting him. we talked, we hugged, we took some pics😋

[this is a very long one, because i want to remember every detail…✨]

in singapore, on july 26 before the match, me and my friend decided to go to the hotel that spurs stayed. we saw a video of sonny giving signs in front of the hotel the night before, and even though it was highly unlikely for them to stop for the fans since it was matchday, we wanted to at least try since we’d flown all the way to singapore for this pre-season tour. on the way there she said, “but it’s okay if we don’t get to see them, right?” and i said “yeah, of course”. so we just went with no expectation and just hoped for some luck.

but someone can always try, right?

since i bought the tickets 3 months ago, i literally kept saying that i want to see ryan. i prayed that he’d be on ange’s team because i was most excited to see him.

well, i did see him from afar. but i was quite disappointed that during the open training (july 25), they weren’t allowed to walk around. so despite getting the front row (queued/waited for 3+ hours, stood under the sun for an hour for that😪), i didn’t really get anything. really envious of people that were around the tunnel because ryan pretty much signed everyone’s shirt (some the players did too).

later that night, i posted some instagram stories, just some normal updates about the open training. i made some stories about the players and tagged them, i made 2 about ryan and tagged him. on one story i said that i flew out there to see him, blablabla, and that wish i could’ve seen him up close and hold up the sign that i brought (i attached the pic).

he saw both stories. so when i was waiting outside the hotel, i was like, hmmm…let’s just try to send him a DM. i hoped that he’d see it, but i swear, i never thought that he’d reply.

basically, i said that i’d really appreciate it if he could stop a minute for a quick sign / photo if he comes in / out the hotel. he said that he was at lunch and he’d pop out at the lobby right after.

now. i’d been already nervous, waiting for 40 minutes for him after he gave that first reply. but this is where i started losing my mind.

but apparently, i was not in front of the lobby. the place where the fans were given space to wait was apparently the side/ballroom entrance. i thought that he was going to come out from there and give signs to everyone, just like normal, right?

but no. he asked me to come to the lobby. ❓‼️⚠️🫨

so i left alone (my friend decided to stay, she didn’t want to lose the place that we’d been keeping for 1+ hour) and tried to find the lobby. there was one staff from the EO that kindly told me where the lobby is (i can’t believe i said, “sir, can you please tell me where the lobby is? ryan mason, the spurs coach, asked me to meet him there” with full confidence).

thankfully it was just a turn to the left. i was kind of looking around and looking down at my phone, because i thought i’d have to send ryan another message, informing that i was there.

but when i looked up, he was already walking towards me. he gave me a little wave, said hi with a little smile, and OPENED HIS ARMS FOR A HUG ASHSHAHZNKANZJSJSJS ISTG I’M NOT MAKING THIS UP!!!!!1!1!!1!!😭😭😭😭😭

so i hugged him. (it still doesn’t make sense/doesn’t feel real no matter how much i think about it or say it out loud).

and we talked. i’m a forgetful person so i just kind of held my phone and recorded our conversation (it’s been 3 days and i still don’t have the courage to listen to it because i know i sounded silly, i must’ve said something stupid). the recording was 3 minutes and 46 seconds long, and during the conversation we were interrupted by a driver because we were blocking his parking spot HAHA. i managed to tell ryan some things i wanted to tell him and asked a question i’ve always wanted to ask him.

and seriously, i was SO NERVOUS (i told him that and he could probably tell anyway) (i mean, how could i be not nervous? i was not prepared for this!!) but ryan was just so sweet and attentive and so kind🥺😔😭❤️

i have a bad habit of panicking and rushing things out when i meet or talk to my idols or people i look up to. and i didn’t want to take up much of ryan’s time, so i asked him to sign the shirt that i bought (we struggled because my hands were full but he wanted me to stretch the shirt ashszbnsnszjs i remember i kept saying sorry😭). and after that, i said thank you, asked for another hug which he said yes to hehehehehe, and said good bye. it seemed like he was about to go back in, but people were approaching him to as for a sign.

…that was when i remember that we hadn’t taken pics😀

so i said sorry and interrupted him and asked for a pic. and he said “well, you can’t forget about that!”. so we take some pics and i can’t believe i managed to take back camera-0.5x zoom selfies with him…

if i knew i even had the chance to meet him in person, i would’ve brought some gifts from home! and at least prepare myself for the conversation🥲 i just blurted out everything that came across my mind. but it was so lovely to talk to him.

(me and my friend were in front of the hotel for hours…we got to see them when they were inside to move between the ballrooms, and when they were departing the hotel. it was understandable that they couldn’t stop and say hi, but they weren’t even allowed to do that during the match / open training, it was really strict…they only give signs and took pics with the vips, and for people around the tunnel who were lucky enough. quite opposite from when they were in korea, it seemed like they stopped for everyone and everywhere.)

so that’s it. the highlight of my first pre-season trip. i’d like to think that this was the answer of all the hoping, manifesting, and praying i did. i wanted to say that it was more than i could ever imagine, but i never even imagined it.

not a bad first pre-season tour experience, eh?😋 biggest thank you to ryan for that🤍💫

#story time💫#vira meeting spurs #still doesn’t feel real after writing this much #ryan mason #spurs in sg #vira seeing spurs #pre-season tour 2023

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niemernuet · 2 years

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My (hopefully) first entry for the 19th week of the off-season winter sports fandom challenge. The subject is:

Public coming-out

As mentioned earlier that fic really got away from me, and I just barely managed to fit it into the prompt with the epilogue (🙈) but I still hope you like it. Also I didn't manage to include Justin's cousin in the end, or the story would have gotten even longer, but at least I could name-drop him.

The Beginning

rating: M for language pairing: Justin Murisier/Daniel Yule characters: Justin Murisier, Daniel Yule, Luca Aerni, Elia Zurbriggen, OC length: 10'400 words warning: homophobic language

Zermatt, August 2013:

"Sometimes I really think the universe has it out for me."

Elia snorted, and pulled his jacket away from the spot on the couch that Daniel dramatically fell on without looking up from his phone.

"Sure, you most of all," Luca grinned. "And why, exactly?"

Daniel glared at them as he propped his hands under his chin. "Can I sleep in your room? I'll take the couch, and I promise I won't snore much."

Elia shrugged. "I'm not worried about you snoring. It can't be worse than Luca." He dodged the helmet flying his way, and finally put his phone down to look at Daniel. Luca swore, and jumped up to fetch his helmet that had rolled down the few steps between the entrance of the hotel and the lobby. Save for a couple of Japanese tourists, they were the only guests waiting for their rooms. Right outside the hotel, the narrow main street of Zermatt passed, and the usual endless maelstrom of tourists rolled through it.

"Who's your bunkmate?" Elia asked.

Daniel sighed. "Justin."

"For real?" Luca chuckled, and plopped down next to Daniel. They all turned their heads, and looked across the lobby. The rest of the team was scattered in small groups around heaps of luggage, like them all waiting for their key cards. Only one person stood a bit aside, looking out into the street. His unkempt three-day-stubble and off-putting scowl made him appear older than he was, and as if he did not belong to the group of young athletes even though he wore the same uniform.

"That brute from Verbier?" Elia asked, and his voice dropped to a whisper.

"I saw the coach's list when we left the train," Daniel explained. "Why me? Just because we're coming from neighbouring valleys doesn't mean we have to be together. Why can't I be together with one of you, or, hell, even one of the guys from Grisons?"

Luca and Elia ignored Daniel's whinging. "I've heard he's coming back for real," Luca said softly.

"I've heard he's only on probation," Elia added. "Like, in the team. Though maybe he's also on real probation, who knows."

"Do you believe what they say about the town festival in La Tzoumaz last spring?" Luca asked.

"That he beat a guy through a shop window because he dropped a beer on his shoes?"

"Yeah."

Elia shrugged. "I've heard he once beat a guy to pulp for simply touching his bike, so why not?"

"Thanks, guys," Daniel muttered.

"Better try to keep that snoring down then," Luca grinned.

Before Daniel could reply, the coach turned around from the reception, and waved around a handful of key cards.

"Gentlemen, listen up! We've paired you up for the rooms. Bring your luggage up, and in thirty minutes I want to see you here again in your running gear."

Soft groaning sounded through the lobby. Unfazed, the coach held up a paper, and read from it: "Aerni and Zurbriggen, room number 205."

Luca and Elia jumped up, and with one last, pitying look they disappeared with their suitcases towards the elevators. The coach droned on, name after name, the lobby got emptier and emptier, until Daniel and the other guy were the only ones left.

"And Yule and Murisier, you have room number 233," the coach concluded, and handed the key card to Daniel.

The coach turned around to grab his own suitcase and backpack, when Justin spoke up: "Do we also get thirty minutes?"

The coach turned around. "Excuse me?"

Justin shrugged. "You said we had thirty minutes to prepare for the training but that was more than ten minutes ago."

Daniel pulled his luggage across the lobby towards the elevator, watching from the corner of his eyes how the coach stared hard at his new roommate.

"Just be here with the rest," the coach answered eventually.

"We should also get thirty minutes," Justin insisted. "You can't put away your stuff and prepare for a run in ten minutes. That's not enough time."

Daniel pushed the button for the elevator, and focused on a bulletin board nearby. He wished with every fibre of his body to be somewhere else as he read the offers for paragliding and bungee jumping.

"Then you have to put away your things tonight," the coach answered. His room was on the ground floor, and he turned towards Daniel and the hallway leading to the rooms.

"That's not fair!" Justin said. "The others had more time!"

Daniel could feel the irritation seeping out of the coach, and he prayed for the elevator.

"Well, Monsieur Murisier," the coach snapped, "you of all people should know that life is not always fair."

With a soft ping, the doors of the elevator opened, and Daniel dove inside, away from the coach and his anger. Justin eyed the coach with pure fury as he pulled his suitcase towards the elevator, and joined Daniel.

When the door shut, and the cabin started to move, Daniel exhaled. Next to him, Justin stood unmoving.

"We won't be late," Daniel tried to calm him down.

Justin snorted. "It's not about being late," he said to the door.

----------

The muffled noise of feet traipsing over the carpeted floor stirred Daniel just enough so that the bright light from the lamp could really gouge into his eyes. Hastily he pulled the blanket over his head. For a few seconds he remained unmoving but the new sounds emerging from the other half of the room made going back to sleep impossible. With a sigh he stretched his limbs out from under the blanket, shaking off the last remains of the night, before pulling it away from his face. The drapes were not closed all the way and Daniel realised that it was still dark enough outside that the light in their room turned the window into a mirror. He turned his head, and watched the scene in front of Justin's bed for a moment.

"Mornin'," he eventually rasped.

Justin lay halfway over the small table, one of his legs placed as far back as possible in what probably was an exercise to stretch the calf. "Hello," he said, his voice also still scruffy.

"How long till breakfast?"

"One and a half hours," Justin answered, and changed the position of his legs to stretch the other one.

Daniel blinked, trying to make sense of what he had just heard. The room was silent again, nothing passed through the walls or sounded from the streets. Everything was so quiet that he could hear Justin breathe. "Is that…Do you always wake up that early?" Daniel asked.

"Yeah." Justin stood up straight again just to disappear on the floor, and only his head reached over the bed anymore. Daniel lifted his own head out of the pillow, and watched how Justin pulled up one leg until his knee was almost resting under his chin, and used the arm from the opposite side to stretch his thigh.

"To…warm up?" Daniel asked incredulously.

Justin turned his head, and looked at him for the first time today and with a look that seemed to question Daniel's perception. "Yeah."

With a sigh, Daniel sank back into the soft pillow. "Okay…" he muttered, and stared at the wall. For a while, nobody said anything.

"Might do you good too, you know."

Daniel lifted his head again. "Sorry?"

Justin changed legs again, which made him sit with his back towards Daniel. "Some stretching in the morning might do you good too, you know," he repeated.

Daniel snorted. "Why? We're going to stretch before the training anyway."

"That's not enough for someone like you."

“Someone like me?" Daniel echoed.

"You know…" Justin said, and shrugged with his free shoulder. "Someone who's a bit of a vegetable."

"Beg your pardon?" With one swift movement, Daniel sat up, and stared at Justin's back. When Justin turned around to repeat the whole exercise he was grinning faintly, which did nothing to squash Daniel's indignation.

"I am not a vegetable!" he said, louder than was probably necessary.

Justin shrugged again, with the other shoulder this time. "Eh…you weren't exactly running at the front yesterday."

"I wasn't last either!" Daniel shot back with the same volume.

Justin snorted, and looked at Daniel again. Even from this distance and under the artificial light Daniel could see their cool grey colour.

"Is that your goal?" Justin asked. "Not to come last?"

Daniel huffed, and looked down on his blanket, unable to bear Justin's gaze any longer, before flinging himself back into his pillow. "I've always passed the requirements for strength and condition," he said, and realised in the same moment how petulant he sounded. He bit down on his lip.

Justin laughed softly, and started to move again. "Congratulations; just like the eighty other guys you'll be competing against at every race."

Daniel pretended to sleep for a little while longer. When Justin disappeared in the bathroom to shower, he jumped out of bed and into his clothes, and left for the breakfast hall. Luckily, Elia and Luca arrived before Justin, thus he did not have to share an awkward conversation or, god forbid, a table with him.

"That bad?" Elia quipped, and put his phone down on the table. Daniel snorted into his muesli.

"Look on the bright side," Luca grinned, "with him as your roommate you'll turn into a morning person."

"That is not a bright side," Daniel muttered.

"For us it is," Elia objected. "No more grumpy scowls, no more snapping…it will be heaven."

Daniel presented his friends with one of said grumpy scowls but Luca and Elia simply cackled, and left for the buffet. He stirred the muesli in his bowl, and looked out over the hall. Most of the rest of the group was already here. They had more than enough space because the rest of the inhabitants, the tourists and sightseers, wisely slept a while longer. Daniel paused when he recognised Justin a few tables over. He was sitting with a few of the others, though he was the only one who had nobody on the opposite side of the table. Something sharp and uncomfortable shot through Daniel's chest, and hastily he looked back down into his muesli.

----------

They spent the morning on the glacier, practising slalom on the course the coaches had prepared, until the snow turned to sludge and the icy water sloshed over their ski boots and down their feet. Daniel felt the well-known burning in his thighs, and he could not wait to get back to the hotel, and rest for a while. He tucked the pads for his shins and arms into his backpack, and turned towards the three pairs of skis he had lugged along. Elia was still discussing today's performance with his service man, and Luca was already halfway to the gondola with most of the others. There was only one person still standing at the starting gate, and his argument with the head coach could probably be heard in Zermatt, some thousand meters of altitude below.

"Just one more run, please!"

"Justin, the snow is too soft," the coach said, his exasperation almost tangible. "We'll come back tomorrow."

"You don't even have to wait up for me," Justin continued unperturbed. "I'll get down by myself, and I'll join you…"

"Justin, no!" the coach barked, and Justin's mouth snapped shut so hard it seemed to send a shockwave over the mountain.

"We will come back tomorrow," the coach said again, emphasising every word. "The snow is too soft, and the holes deep enough already. You'd just ruin the whole course."

"Yeah, sure," Justin scoffed, and bored the sticks deep into the melting snow. "I'm going to ruin everything." Without waiting for the coach to get the last word in, he slid back towards the mountain station of the gondola. Daniel watched as he grabbed the backpack, and shoved his material inside with force. He flinched when Elia elbowed him in the side, and without another word followed him to the gondola.

"He cannot make it easy for anyone, ever, huh?" Elia muttered.

----------

The hotel had a common room which in the evening got annexed by the slalom team. Daniel played board games with the others the first two nights but eventually his guilty conscience about the homework at the bottom of his suitcase became too heavy, and on the third day he retreated to his room early while on the days before, he had only come back to sleep. Justin lay splayed on his bed, one arm under his head, and watched a mindless crime series on the little television. He observed quietly as Daniel pulled the books out of the suitcase, and spread them on the table around his notebook.

"You can watch, it doesn't bother me," Daniel said when Justin turned down the volume, and sat down on the rickety chair.

"It's okay, I can do something else," Justin said, and turned on his side to grab his phone.

"I said it doesn't bother me!" Daniel snapped, and turned his head just enough so he could see Justin freeze in the corner of his eyes. "You don't have to stop because of me!"

Slowly, Justin turned back, grabbed the remote, and turned the volume up again. "Okay…," he muttered.

It really did not bother Daniel, he was used to noise from when he studied at home, and for a while he worked in silence. He had managed to finish one half of the assignment when Justin spoke up again.

"What are you doing?"

"Studying," Daniel answered curtly, and pulled the yellow highlighter over another line in the book before turning back to his laptop.

"And what are you studying, Professor?" Justin asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Daniel suppressed a sigh, wishing Justin would just shut up.

"Regression analysis," he answered just as sarcastically, "it's a way to approximatively relate dependent and independent variables, and it's part of statistics."

For a few blessed seconds, Justin stayed quiet.

"Where the hell do you need that?"

This time around, Daniel could not suppress a groan. "It's part of many fields of economics just…in the groundwork. It's just an introductory course, actually. We'll need it in the later semesters."

"Economics?" Justin asked. "You're studying?"

Daniel turned around in his chair, and stared at Justin. Somehow he had the feeling that they were not talking about the same thing.

"You just asked me what I was doing, and I said 'studying'", he said. "Do you have amnesia?"

Justin waved him off, jumped out of the bed, and pulled the other chair next to Daniel. "Yeah but I meant studying for the school of your apprenticeship, you know?" he said, and bent over Daniel's homework with unashamed curiosity. "For a real job."

"Excuse me?" Daniel exclaimed, and stared at Justin with his mouth wide open. "A real job?"

Justin shrugged again, completely unbothered by Daniel's outrage, and read a few lines in the book. "I thought you were doing a commercial apprenticeship in a bank maybe. Or in one of the factories in Martigny."

"And those are real jobs?" Daniel asked.

Justin finally seemed to realise what he had caused, and he looked up. He still was not bothered, though. "Yes, they are, like all apprenticeships."

"So you learnt a real job too, I guess."

Justin grinned. "Of course. I'm a forester. You can put me in any forest and I can tell you if it's healthy, or if there's a disease in the trees, how many deer there are, and whether the amount is okay for the forest or if they’re eating away the new saplings, whether there's wolves or lynxes, and if necessary I will cut the right trees so that the rest can grow to its full potential. What can you do once you're done studying economics?"

Daniel sputtered, and looked between his laptop and Justin. "Many things…," he answered. “I can work in many places once I have my degree, in finance, in the public sector, in industry…I’m…it’s about learning to manage things. That’s why it’s called business management.”

Justin still seemed very amused. “So when you’ve finished studying all this…” he bent over the book again to read the title of the chapter, “…Gauss-Markov theorem and standard errors, you’ll be able to just walk into any company and manage it?”

Daniel rolled his eyes. “Not from the first day. But after a training period yeah. Even a forester needs that.”

Justin shrugged. “Show me where you store the chainsaws and a map of the forest and that’s all the training period I need.” He looked at Daniel again, with a smile this time and Daniel felt his anger dissipate into nothingness. His traitorous cheeks flushed, and quickly he turned back to his laptop or he would have drowned in Justin’s grey eyes. He finished the sentence he had been writing on his laptop before Justin had interrupted and pretended to write some more even though he knew he would have to do it again at another time.

“So you’ll be a big boss one day,” Justin eventually said, and there was no trace of sarcasm left.

Daniel snorted, and picked up the book. “I don’t know,” he said. “At the moment I am nothing much, only a skier, and I hope to stay that for a long time…” he closed the book, and his voice softened. “I don’t know what I’ll be once this all is over.”

“Who of us knows what we’ll be when this is over?”

Daniel closed the notebook, and carried it to his suitcase. “Well, you, for one. You’ll be a forester.”

A dry laughter sounded in Daniel’s back. “Yeah, right,” Justin scoffed. “I couldn’t do work in a forest with my knee as it is today. At the end of my career…” He broke off, and Daniel pretended to rummage in his suitcase even though he had stowed away everything.

“You think you’re nothing now, but that’s the most I’ll ever be,” Justin muttered.

Daniel did not know what to say to that. The chair scraped over the carpet, and when he turned around, Justin was halfway into his pyjama. He looked at the slumped shoulders, and the ash blond hair long enough to roll into soft curls at the nape of his neck.

“So you thought I looked like a bank teller?”

The shoulders straightened, and when Justin turned around he was grinning again. “Bank teller to be,” he corrected.

“Of course,” Daniel said, “my bad.”

Justin stood up, and walked towards the bathroom. He wore shorts for the night, and the crimson scars hewn into the skin around his knee seemed to glow. “I would buy a mortgage from you,” he said, and disappeared in the cubicle-sized bathroom.

Daniel laughed. “That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me,” he yelled through the closed door.

----------

The past two mornings, just like the first, Daniel had pretended to sleep through Justin’s warm-up session. On the last day of the first week of their training camp, he stopped.

“You doing that because of your knee?” he rasped, and peeked out from under the blanket.

If Justin was surprised to hear from Daniel, he hid it well. “Yes,” he answered, “the physiotherapist says I should do it.”

Daniel nodded, and sank back into his pillow. His warm, soft, perfectly comfortable pillow. He sighed.

“And they say it helps prevent injuries?” he asked as he stepped to the wall, and imitated Justin’s pose with one leg pushed a bit back to stretch the calf. At least he managed to surprise Justin this time.

“Ahm…,” he stuttered before catching himself. “Yes, she does. I don’t know if it’s true but honestly, at this point I would gargle frog spawn if it helped me get back on skis.”

Daniel laughed, and pulled a grimace. “Ew!”

Justin grinned, evidently pleased about the reaction. Daniel turned his back on him for the next exercise, and tried to get his pounding heart back under control.

Luca and Elia only paused for the fraction of a second when they saw Daniel and Justin sit together at the breakfast table, and pretended as if there was nothing unusual about it.

“Morning,” Elia said, and put his tray down next to Daniel.

“Hi,” Daniel said, and Justin nodded.

Luca took the seat next to Justin. “Weekend,” he sighed, and stirred his muesli. “Anybody know when the train leaves in the afternoon?”

“You guys need to take the train?” Elia asked.

Daniel shoved his elbow in Elia’s side, and he crumpled over his plate. “We’re not all living in a hotel every day of our lives,” he said. “Some of us have to do the washing by themselves.”

“Suckers,” Elia muttered, and skid away with his chair.

“Any plans?” Luca changed the subject.

Daniel shook his head. “Not really. You?”

“Neither. That’s why I’m asking, I thought maybe you’d know something fun to do.”

“Maybe bar crawling in downtown Val Ferret?” Elia suggested, and slid even further away with his chair.

“Very funny,” Daniel muttered.

“There’s the summer party of the music company Liddes.”

All eyes turned to Justin whose cheeks blushed faintly under all the attention. Daniel cleared his throat, and dove his spoon back into his muesli.

“It’s not in Val Ferret, but almost,” Justin shrugged.

Luca swayed his head from one side to the other. "It's a bit of a stretch from Montana," he said.

"I'm not that into…brass music," Elia confessed.

Justin shook his head. "Nobody goes because of that. Most of the people arrive after the concert, when the beer tent opens."

"Cool, a beer tent," Elia muttered, and Daniel wanted to stab him with the spoon. Justin pressed his lips together, and glared at Elia over the rim of his cup.

"It sounds fun," Daniel said. "And you're going?"

Justin nodded. "It's the entire weekend but I'm only going tonight."

Daniel chewed on his lower lip, and scraped together the rest of his muesli.

Luca grinned. "Are you into brass music now?"

"If that's the case then you better not come," Justin threw in. "They are pretty terrible."

Daniel smiled. "Maybe I like bad brass music."

"Or bad boys?" Elia mumbled under his breath, and fled from Daniel's murderous look towards the buffet.

----------

Daniel thought that the music company Liddes must like gambling, and living on the edge. There must have been years when they had celebrated their summer party under the first autumn rains, and wrapped in the thick fog that rolled through the valleys once the trees started to lose their leaves. Tonight though, it really was a summer party, with golden sunshine sending warm rays down onto the fairground, and the smell of this year's last hay in the air. Justin slowed the car down to a crawl, and followed the instructions of a volunteer in a hi-vis vest towards the makeshift parking lot in a field, and just as slowly, Daniel lifted one finger after the other from the armrest he had clenched all the way from La Fouly.

"You really like speed in every way," he said, trying to sound as casual as possible.

Justin nodded, and smiled at him. "Absolutely. I mean, skiing is great but I also love motocross, and that can be faster at times. Also louder and dirtier but that's just part of the charm."

"Cool," Daniel breathed. They followed in a row of cars, and waited until the car in the front had found its place.

"Oh, you mean my driving!" Justin suddenly exclaimed, and looked at Daniel again. "Was it too fast?"

Daniel waved aside. "Naaah, I mean…"

"I hear that a lot," Justin confessed, and expertly parked the car in the next free spot. "You should have said something."

Daniel scrambled out of the car before the next one arrived, and hurried out of the way. "It was…a bit surprising, that's all."

Justin adjusted the plaid shirt he wore, and checked his pockets for wallet and phone then they followed the stream of people walking towards the village. It was only a small town, the houses so close together that barely any sunlight reached the narrow alleys, like all villages around here. There was a small church, and a big hall for the ploughs and the snowcat that groomed the few slopes around the small ski lift in winter, also like everywhere else around here. The fairground was at the valley station of the ski lift, with a makeshift stage in front of the hut, and a marquee a little bit to the side. The concert was still in full swing, and the sound of a march echoed through the valley. Daniel winced when one of the winds abruptly started to squeak.

“I told you,” Justin said, and smiled at him, “nobody comes because of the music.”

Daniel laughed, and sighed in relief when the squeaky trumpet stopped. “They’re trying their best.”

They joined the line to the barbecue, and loaded up with beer and bratwurst before scouring the rows and rows of tables for free space. The concert continued while they ate, though nobody of the visitors was bothered by it, the noise of the chattering at times louder than the entire music company. They did not stay alone for long. Everybody seemed to know Justin, clapped him on the shoulder, stopped to exchange a few words or even sit down with them. Daniel watched mesmerised, and let himself be pulled along in the discussions with all these strangers. He had never visited a festival like that before, not with his parents, who did not care much about these kinds of things, and not when he was older and could have gone on his own. He enjoyed the atmosphere, the constant noise and the smell of the grills and fryers, the screaming laughter and the murmur of hundreds of conversations. It was easy to go along with it all, to talk with strangers who did not know his name, and who left with a wave and a smile after only a few minutes before the next one came over. Justin’s smile, always a sure-fire way to turn the whole world just a notch brighter, was positively glowing, and Daniel’s stomach did a somersault whenever it landed on him. Justin was agitatedly talking to another friend while Daniel had just cleaned his paper plate from the last mustard-stains with a piece of bread, when he recognised a familiar figure only two rows over. His heart skipped a beat, and hastily he lowered his head over his plate. He waited until the song had ended before he dared to look up again. The figure, a heavy-set, brutish form, had disappeared. Daniel searched the whole place with his eyes, and slowly his heartbeat calmed down when he realised that he was nowhere to be seen. He turned back to Justin and his friends, though he could not follow their discussion anymore over the smothering noise.

Once the sun had disappeared behind the mountains, and the concert had concluded, the eponymous beer tent opened its gates, and Justin pulled Daniel along into the overheated, underventilated marquee. The first stars were blinking in the sky, and night fell fast this late in the summer. They snatched one of the bar tables, an old, upturned barrel, and Justin pointed towards the bar that filled the entire length of the tent.

“First round’s on me!” he yelled over the pounding, decades out of style techno-music, and took off. Daniel smiled, and watched him until he disappeared in the crowd. When a heavy hand landed on his shoulder he did not flinch at first, expecting it to be one of Justin’s many friends.

“Je ne savais pas qui’ils ont permis les tarlouzes de venir ici,” a deep voice yelled into Daniel’s ear, and he jerked away. Even though he had grown up, Léo’s ugly grin and the mean streak in his eyes were still the same as back in middle school, right down to the gap between his lower teeth.

“T’es venu pour trouver des bûches à sucer, mon trésor ?” He grabbed Daniel’s shoulder again, and Daniel pushed him away.

“Leave me alone!”

Léo stumbled a few steps back, and with growing dread Daniel realised that he was not alone. He had friends too, like Justin, and they all slowly came closer. Panic rose in Daniel, and with desperation he tried to find Justin among the people.

“Come on!” Léo yelled, and his grin made Daniel nauseous. “I’ll let you suck on mine but only if you behave.” He raised his hand again, and this time Daniel pushed him so hard one of his friends had to catch him from falling down. Another friend retaliated, and pushed Daniel hard into the barrel-bar table. The circle around him closed up, and Daniel felt his throat close up, when a new voice boomed over the music. Léo’s friends stumbled apart, and out of the crowd, Justin appeared with two plastic cups of beer.

“What the hell is going on?” Justin asked, and looked around. His eyes fell on Léo. "You know that clown?" Justin asked Daniel, and pointed at the other guy.

Daniel shrugged, and tried to turn around. "He's just some idiot from my old school, ignore him." Justin though stayed unmoving, glaring at the crowd.

Daniel grabbed his arm, and pulled. "Please, just…let's go."

Justin spat on the ground in front of Léo's feet but let himself be pulled along towards the exit. The two beers remained on the barrel.

"Justement, chéri, casse-toi et ta tarlouze!"

Daniel's fingers bored into Justin's flesh, and he pulled as hard as he could.

"Va te faire foutre!" Justin yelled over his shoulder but luckily did not struggle against Daniel. They left the suffocating heat of the tent, and turned towards the parking lot. It was completely dark now, with heavy clouds hiding what little light the stars might have given, and even though a cool wind had picked up, Daniel still could not breathe. Something heavy clung to his throat, and no matter how hard he swallowed, it would not disappear. He regretted coming here, he regretted following Justin and his stupid smile. He just wanted to go home.

"Forget him," Justin said as he watched Daniel struggle for composure. "They're always saying shit like that."

"But it's not!" Daniel burst out, and he felt how his last shred of control slipped away. He wiped his eyes with trembling hands, and tore them through his hair.

"It's not shit!" he exclaimed, and hated himself for that almost-sob. "It's always been like that! Always!"

Justin frowned at him. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't you get it?" Daniel yelled, and pressed his hand over his mouth. He hated himself for losing control but he also hated Justin in that moment for his stupid, wilful ignorance. "I am gay!"

Justin visibly recoiled as Daniel hit him with the obvious, and Daniel felt a first tear roll down his cheeks. "I am the Tarlouze they're talking about!" he rasped, and wiped it away with his sleeve. "I am the Fiotte and the Pédé and all the other words you can think of."

Justin did not say anything. He did not have to. Cold fear gripped Daniel as he saw the change in Justin, the hard stare with which he was examined, and the hands at his sides that balled to fists. Thus when Justin suddenly spun around and ran away, Daniel did not hesitate, and took off too. He hurried in the opposite direction of the parking lot and the fairground, towards the village and the main street. There would be street lamps, and cars driving to and from the mountain pass even at this time of the night, and a bus station, and a bigger chance to escape the mess he had gotten himself into. He scrolled through his phone searching for his brother's number, though he trembled so hard he could barely hold it in his hands. He and his sister had warned him often enough to be careful but of course he did not listen. When he heard the screams, he stopped. Even though the last remaining sanity in him yelled to go on, run away, he could not move. There was a commotion in the beer tent, men and women hollering louder than the thumping music. Daniel flinched when someone came flying out of the tent, stumbled a few steps, and fell face-down onto the dead grass. Another person followed, and picked the first person up by their collar; the spectacle only visible as shadow play against the tent. Daniel recognised him nonetheless, even in the night, and with horror watched as Justin turned the first person on their back, and started to pummel them with his fists.

"What are you doing?" Daniel yelled. Justin had gotten a few good punches at Léo's face when Daniel finally arrived, and seized Justin's arm.

"Stop it!" Daniel hollered. "You're killing him!"

Justin stared at him, his face distorted to an ugly, hateful grimace that disappeared when he recognised Daniel. On the ground, Léo sluggishly turned his head. His eyes had no focus, and blood was dripping down his forehead and from his mouth. Justin kept staring at Daniel but before he could say something, the flaps of the beer tent's side panels flew open, and a cascade of people poured out.

"What the fuck is going on?" someone yelled.

Justin jumped up, and grabbed Daniel's hand. "Run!"

----------

Daniel smacked the car door into the car next to them but he did not care at all, and simply crumpled down in the seat. His lungs burnt, and he gasped for air. Next to him, Justin was frightfully calm as he turned out of the parking space, and sped towards the street.

"What are you doing?" Daniel hissed as he slowed down once they were on the main street, and waited for the people running from the fairground to catch up with them.

"He's alive."

"Go!" Daniel urged but Justin turned to him then pointed somewhere outside.

"See there? I didn't kill him."

Daniel leant over the gear stick, and finally recognised Léo as one of the people coming ever closer. When he reached the street lamp Daniel realised that one of his eyes was already closing up, and his mouth looked wrong and unshaped. When he saw Justin's manic grin, he showed his middle finger, the last thing Daniel saw before they raced out of the village. He fell back into his seat, and let the night pass outside their car at breakneck speed. He did not know where they were when Justin suddenly slowed down, and turned left into a gravel road. They crossed a narrow bridge over the river that came down from the mountains, and disappeared in the forest. The road rose upwards along the steep sides fencing the valley, straight ahead and with no turns. Daniel could barely see his hand in front of his eyes, and Justin only as a dark shadow, but he felt the change in Justin, and the way he moved in the seat until he could bear it no longer, stopped the car, and jumped out. The car beeped warningly as Justin left the door open and the lights running, walked a few steps ahead, and fell to his knees.

"Fuck!" he yelled. "Jesus shit!"

Slowly, carefully, Daniel followed him. "Everything okay?" he asked as he stayed two arms' lengths away.

"No!" Justin exclaimed, and turned his head. "It fucking hurts! Fucking hell!"

Daniel took another two steps, and saw that Justin was cradling his right hand against his chest, and protecting it with his left hand.

"Holy shit," Justin groaned. "That was nothing like in films! Why do people do this at all? Ouch, fuck…"

Daniel blinked. Then, despite, or maybe because of everything that had happened tonight, he laughed.

He sank down on his knees next to Justin, and held out his hand. "Are you saying this was your first time?" he asked, still laughing. "Let me see."

Justin's groans turned into a pitiful whimper as he let Daniel inspect his hand. The skin around every single knuckle was scraped off, with the wounds on his pinkie already forming thick scabs. The parts that were not covered in blood slowly turned into every ugly colour no skin should ever have, purple and green and blue.

"Of course it was!" Justin whined. "What? Do you think I'm just going around beating people wherever I go?"

Daniel chuckled. Tenderly he grabbed one finger, and bent and stretched it tentatively. "Well…," he said, "you have a certain reputation. Does it hurt? The bone, I mean." Cautiously he bent the next finger, and checked Justin's face for signs of unbearable pain, though the only thing he saw was a complete lack of understanding. Testing one finger after other like that, he explained the things Elia and Luca had told about Justin on the first day of the training camp.

"I think nothing's broken," he concluded, holding on to Justin's hand even though there was no need anymore. "Just some contusions, I guess. And the scrapes, of course."

Justin huffed, and kept his hand motionless in Daniel's. "First of all," he began, "the hole in the shop window was already there when I walked past. That was not me! And second of all…" He broke off, and unsuccessfully tried to hide the bashful smile on his lips. "…I was the one who spilt the beer over another guy's shoes and got shoved through the window."

Daniel pressed his lips together though he was just as unsuccessful in hiding his smile. "And the thing with your bike?"

"There was an idiot who touched it," Justin told. "It was at the motocross meet-up in Bagnes last year. Really annoyed me, and so I shoved him a little bit because he was really rough, and I had to save so long for this bike."

He looked at his hand, and finally pulled it away from Daniel to inspect it closer.

"And?" Daniel asked.

Justin sighed. "And then he wanted to beat me up, so my brother came over to help. And then he wanted to beat me and Kevin up, and eventually cousin Wills had to chase him away."

Daniel spluttered, and futilely tried to hide it behind a cough.

"Yeah, yeah," Justin pouted. "But don't tell the others!"

"I promise," Daniel smiled. "Your secret is safe with me." Justin smiled back, and Daniel's heart fluttered in his chest. A pebble poked through the trousers into his knee, and he scooted into a more comfortable position. It was getting colder this time of the year, and he shivered under his shirt. The lights of the car illuminated a stretch of road ahead but other than that the forest lay in pitch black darkness.

"I'm sorry for ruining your night," he said softly, and stared at the tree closest to the road. A birch, probably.

Justin shook his head. "No, I'm sorry," he said. "They're idiots. I didn't know about…I thought they just meant it in the usual way."

"The usual way…" Daniel whispered.

Justin shrugged helplessly. "You know, when you say it but you don't really mean it."

"How can you call someone…that and not mean it?"

"Well, when you know that the other's not gay, and you just want to annoy him." Justin squirmed, and looked back towards the car. Daniel knew it was a sign to drop the subject; he cut the whole spectacle short and stood up.

"You can't know that. You don't know everything about everybody you know."

"I know enough," Justin insisted, and Daniel heard the irritation in his voice. "I know my friends aren't gay, for example. I know I'm not gay."

Daniel looked over the car, the open door in his hand, and for a second wondered which part of Justin's remark hurt more. Deep down he had known that Justin did not feel the same for Daniel. He had not planned to try anything, despite the heart-flutter, and the warmth spreading inside whenever Justin's grey eyes were on him. Still, it was something else entirely to know he did not consider Daniel a friend. Justin looked back, and after a short thinking period seemed to realise what he had just said.

"No, I mean…" he tried, "…you're not…"

Daniel snorted. "Yeah," he muttered, and got in the car.

Silently they drove further along the road. After a while it turned downwards again, and suddenly they could see the first lights of the bigger towns in the Rhone valley through the trees. Once they reached the edge of Orsières, Justin crossed the small creek again over another narrow bridge before turning left into another side road.

"The other way's faster," Daniel remarked, and pointed right towards the main street. "Then you can take the bypass towards the motorway and take the last exit before…"

"Yeah, no, can't," Justin interrupted, and weaved the car past darkened houses and through small alleys. "They're usually doing traffic checks around this time."

Daniel frowned. "And? You didn't drink over the limit." He broke off as something occurred to him. "You're still on your probationary permit? But then you weren't supposed to drink at all!"

Justin huffed, his eyes firmly locked on the road. "No! I had my definite permit!"

Daniel's frown deepened as he tried to make sense of…

Oh.

"You had your licence revoked?" he yelled.

Justin rolled his eyes. They had reached the other end of Orsières, and the only road going forward was the small route leading into the Val Ferret. "You sound like my Mum," he muttered.

"You were doing 90 in a 50!" Daniel continued with the same volume. "You overtook another car in the turn near the quarry!"

"The turn near the quarry has good visibility in every direction," Justin explained. "I knew what I was doing. And the 50-sign in your stupid village is way too far out. There are no houses anywhere."

"I can't believe I'm riding with someone who had his licence suspended," Daniel said, and rubbed his eyes.

"Strictly speaking the suspension is over," Justin objected, "It only lasted until July. But because I didn't have my definite licence long enough, I have to re-take the driving test, and the closest date they had was October. So actually, I'm not driving with a suspended permit but simply…without one."

With a soft thud, Daniel pressed his forehead against the window, and stared out into the night. He knew Val Ferret well enough to recognise the landscape even in the darkness, and thanks to Justin's ungodly manner of driving, they soon arrived at Daniel's home. He felt tired to the bone, and simply wanted to hide in his bed. For a moment he clung to the door as he tried to think of something to say.

"I'm sorry," Justin whispered. "About…you know."

Daniel sighed. "Yeah. Me too."

----------

The weather had changed, and the heavy clouds from Friday night had brought rain in the valleys, and snow on the glacier. He had not started with it but the coach's mood had taken a particularly crabby turn, and now he was barking orders across the slope. Justin pressed his lips together, and slid away from his side, back towards the starting gate where Daniel was at the end of the queue.

"Why do you always have to argue?" he asked, and looked over his shoulder to Justin.

Justin glared at him, and adjusted the straps of his sticks over his gloves. "I don't always do, only when it's the right thing."

"You have literally argued with the coach every day of the camp," Daniel insisted. "Literally!"

"Because there literally was something to argue about every day," Justin shot back. "Or do you really think that the light's good enough to do a fucking Super-G right now?"

Daniel shook his head, and turned around again, just in time to catch a glance from Luca waiting in front of him. He had not told Elia and him everything that had happened Friday night. They knew something must have occurred, they had seen the bandages around Justin's right hand; and Daniel was not exactly good at hiding anything, yet they did not probe. Justin was right, of course. The sun was shining through a thin layer of clouds, and a hazy, almost milky light hid the bumps and holes of the slope. The Super-G course was only meant as fun, a distraction from the usual slalom and nothing serious, yet Daniel understood Justin's objection. They were not trained with the long skis, not used to the higher tempo.

"You just have to be responsible," he said over his shoulder. "It's not a competition, so you have to ski smart."

Justin huffed and snorted in Daniel's back. "In that case I'd rather practice another slalom-run than this farce."

"Well, tough luck, you can't," Daniel said, and slid further along as the next skier started the course. Luca was next, and adjusted the goggles around his eyes.

Daniel could not tell what made him want to have the last word with Justin. He could not tell a lot of things, to be honest. He had feared that the return to the camp might be awkward but that had not been the case. They had fallen into a strangely easy rapport, with Daniel growing more and more comfortable to stand up to Justin's antics, and Justin slowly, in his own, inapprehensible ways, opening up to him. His heart did not flutter anymore when he saw into those grey eyes; or if it did, Daniel did not dwell on it.

"You shouldn't watch TV all the time," Daniel said after dinner as he prepared to go to the common room.

"Why not?" Justin asked without taking his eyes off the screen at the other wall.

Daniel rolled his eyes. "Because you're missing out. All the others come together, and you're the only one who refuses."

"Have the others tried being more interesting than TV?"

Daniel stood near the door, and took a lunge for the remote on Justin's bed but Justin was faster, and snatched it up. He cackled as he saw Daniel's exasperated look.

"Just…one game of Jass with Elia, Luca, and me," he tried. "Then you can go back to your burrow."

"No," Justin said, his eyes once more fixed on the television.

"Why?"

Justin's lips formed a thin line as he turned his head again. "Because I don't want to."

Daniel groaned at that answer. He looked at Justin but he did not budge. Finally, he came to a decision.

"Fuck no!" Justin said as he watched how Daniel stepped out of his shoes, and into the second bed.

"What? You're allowed to watch TV but I'm not?" Daniel asked, and scooted back until he was resting with his back against the wall like Justin. "I bet the coroner is the murderer."

"You don't want to watch it!" Justin threw in. "And no, the coroner is one of the main actors of the series, he's definitely not the murderer."

Daniel folded his arms in front of his chest, and pretended to be deeply captivated by the dull procedural. "Of course I want to watch it."

He did not want to watch it, and he felt his mind wander after only half a minute but he was undeterred, and remained on his bed. From the other side of the room he heard annoyed breathing, and soft muttering, until eventually:

"Nobody cares."

Daniel looked over to Justin. "What?"

The words burst out of him as if he had fought them a long time. "Nobody cares about you, only about your results. Once you can't deliver those anymore, you're…" He did not finish the sentence, and simply waved his arm through the air.

"That's not true," Daniel said.

"It is!" Justin exclaimed, and laughed bitterly. "You have no idea how it is. At first everyone is full of pity, and they visit you and send you packages and climb up your ass. And they tell you how much you're missed, and they promise you that you can keep your place, and that everything's waiting for you to return. But then time passes, and the visits stop, then the messages, and in the end it's just you alone with the therapists day after day. And when you try to come back you realise that there is no spot for you anymore. That it was all a lie. Everyone you've known has moved on, and you have to start again in the newbie-camp." With grim determination, Justin glared at the television. Daniel barely dared to look over but even from his position he could see the sheen over his grey eyes.

"I don't think that nobody cares," he said after a while. "It's just…we're all in the same hamster wheel. And it's hard work to look out for the others while you try not to fall off. But I think they do care."

Justin remained unmoving, and Daniel wrecked his brain for something else to say.

"You've come so far already. It would be a pity if you'd just throw it all away now. I bet the woman in the hoodie is the murderer."

"I'm not going to throw it all away," Justin said, and to Daniel's relief almost sounded like his usual mulish self again. "Also that's the detective. I'm just…what if it happens again?"

Daniel thought for a second. "It won't happen," he answered. "And if it does, I promise you I'll keep in touch with you until you're back a second time."

Justin snorted, and turned his head. "You've known me for one week."

"I'll set a continuous reminder in my phone."

Justin laughed.

"I promise," Daniel continued, "every Monday morning, six o'clock you'll get a lovely, thoughtful message from yours truly."

"That is reason enough to never break my knee again," Justin said, and rolled off the bed. "Okay, Jass you said?"

Daniel jumped up from the bed, and turned off the boring television. "Yes! You'll see, we'll absolutely destroy them. I've got this unbeatable system with my sister: When it's your turn to choose the trump cards, you pretend to think about the choice, and you talk to yourself quietly and say something like 'Hmm, I wonder if I should choose hearts. Or maybe shovels?' And to every card, your partner, me, gives you a sign. Flat palm on the table means 'fully agreed', fist on the table means 'not at all, I've got no such card', and hand around your chin means 'not my first choice but okay'."

They walked through the long hallway of the hotel towards the staircase. Justin laughed again, and if Daniel's heart pounded faster in his chest it was only because of the pace.

"You're cheaters," Justin stated.

Daniel frowned, and shook his head. "No, I don't think so."

----------

They lost the first few games, until Justin realised that Elia and Luca had a similar system, and started to cooperate with Daniel.

"You're so transparent," Luca scoffed after their third loss in a row, and the deep wrinkle between his eyes betrayed his seething anger.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Daniel said, and handed out the cards for the next round.

"Yeah, right!"

They were the last to leave the room, and Daniel only realised how much time had passed when Elia threw his cards down; Justin's bright eyes observing his moves, and his laughter had captivated Daniel entirely. He held his cards with his left hand, and whenever he picked one to put on the green mat in the middle of the table, Daniel was unable to look away from the dressings around his knuckles, and the blue splotches growing out from under it.

"That's it, I give up!" Elia yawned, and stretched his arms high above his head. "You're the better cheaters. Congratulations. I hope you're proud of yourselves."

Justin cackled, and held his palm towards Daniel for a high-five. "That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me."

Daniel used Justin's time in the bathroom to stick his head out of the window. Even though the night was rather frosty already, it was not enough to calm down the storm in his chest and in his head that Justin had caused with his mirth and his smile that made everything around him shine brighter.

"Damn, do you want to freeze to death?" Justin said, and ran as fast as he could to his bed to hide under the blanket.

"Sorry," Daniel muttered, and closed the window again. His fingers and toes were numb when he laid down, and turned off the light but the rest of his body seemed on fire. Only slowly did he manage to find rest. He did not know how much time had passed but he felt sleep finally crawl over him when Justin brought him back once more.

"Daniel?" he whispered from the other side of the room. One of the ubiquitous electric vehicles that transported stuff through car-free Zermatt whirred through the main street and sent round circles of light over their ceiling before disappearing in the night.

"Yes?"

Justin did not speak for a long time; for so long that Daniel feared he might have not heard him call out but just as he wanted to ask again, he continued.

"How…When did you realise that you're gay?"

This time it was Daniel's turn to keep him waiting. Suddenly, his head was empty, and no trace left of the storm. He realised that he had forgotten to breathe when a big exhale ripped through his chest.

"I don't really know," he answered. "It's just always been a part of me." It was the truthful answer even though he knew not the one Justin wanted to hear. "But I remember when I realised that I'm wrong. It's when I had to leave the elementary school in La Fouly for middle school down in the valley."

Justin thought about his words for a moment. "You're not wrong," he eventually whispered.

"I know that now," Daniel retorted, louder and harsher than Justin deserved. He closed his eyes, and took a few deep breaths. He had thought the whole weekend what he could say to him once they returned to Zermatt, and had not found the right thing. Even now, in their separate beds, with their backs to each other, he did not know if there was a right thing to say at all. Justin seemed so much like all the guys that had made Daniel's life hell in school, the hicks and jocks that would not stray one step away from the path their parents and grandparents had carved for them, contend to stay in their narrow-minded, little world; and yet he was so very different from them.

"There's more between heaven and earth than just straight and gay," he said.

A few seconds passed. "Okay," Justin whispered.

"You can be one or the other," he tried to explain, "but you can also be something in-between. Or something else entirely."

There came no answer from the other side of the bed.

----------

The rest of the week passed without Justin letting on anything about the things they had talked about that night. Which was why it came as a big surprise to Daniel when the door to the bathroom suddenly opened on the last morning, and Justin stared at him wide-eyed and fidgety.

"I'm gay for you," he announced while white, frothy toothpaste dropped from Daniel's chin onto his pyjama.

"I think," Justin added, a bit softer but definitely not calmer.

Slowly, Daniel bent over the sink and spat the toothpaste out, cleaned the toothbrush, and wiped his face and the stains on his shirt with a washcloth. Afterwards, his heart still pounded furiously in his chest but he had no longer an excuse to evade Justin so he stood up straight, and turned to face him.

"I just wanted to say it before we all leave," Justin sputtered, "because normally the next time we'd see each other would be the week before Levi but that's too long and I thought maybe we could stay…"

He mewled softly when Daniel leant forward, and pressed their lips together. The windowless bathroom smelled musty from years of dampness, some of the grout had turned black, and a few of the tiles had cracks. It was the least romantic place for a first kiss but Daniel was not thinking about that now. He was not thinking at all, too occupied by the electric shocks sweeping through his entire body. Justin laughed at him when they broke apart, with grey eyes and a smile that turned everything in its vicinity brighter.

"…stay in touch," he finished his sentence.

Daniel smiled, and nodded. "I'd like that."

"Good," Justin said. Neither of them moved, even though all had been said, and Daniel was glad. He wanted to stay there in the old bathroom, and look at Justin until he could never get his face out of his mind again.

Justin's smile turned bashful, and he lowered his gaze. "I'm sorry," he muttered. "I'm probably pretty rubbish." He wanted to turn away but Daniel grabbed his hand, and signed him to stay. He had exchanged the dressing around the knuckles for band-aids, and Daniel felt the bumps of the scabs between the soft skin.

"Not at all," he said. "Though I have to say you're the first guy I've kissed who has a beard."

A wonderful blush crept over Justin as he scratched over his cheeks. "I know, sorry. I really should shave more often but…"

He could not say more as Daniel wrapped his arms around his neck, and pulled him close. Their second kiss was nothing like the first but full of desire and need, and it did not end for a long time.

----------

Epilogue: Zermatt, 2023

A never-ending wall of clouds pressed against the eastern flank of the Matterhorn. It ruined the pictures of the swaths of tourists crawling the hill range on the other side of Zermatt but at least it made for a pleasant temperature. The restaurant was closed, and they had the patio all to themselves. Daniel had his eyes shut, and his head laid back to soak up the few rays of sunlight that poked through the clouds while Luca sat on the other side of the table and studied the menu. The garden of the restaurant had been turned into a playground, where Justin at the moment tried to climb under the bar of a child-sized slide while a little girl pushed against his back. The hiking trail lead right past the restaurant, and it was easy to see who had heard the news, and who was either a tourist from another continent, or living under a rock. Their whisperings and words carried through the air as they gaped at the people in front of the house but nobody let on anything about it. Suddenly, the door to the restaurant opened, and Elia stepped outside. He balanced a tray full of dangerously fragile wine glasses and an assortment of little bowls while carrying a bottle of wine and a newspaper under one arm.

“What’s the ‘Paradise Coffee’?” Luca asked, and pointed at a page of the menu.

Elia put his cargo down, and started to uncork the bottle. “Vieille prune with cream and some sprinkles on top. Do you want one?”

“Ask me again in a few hours,” Luca answered, and picked up the newspaper. “I didn’t know you carried that paper.”

Daniel opened his eyes, and looked at the gigantic red letters above an older portrait of Justin and himself on the front page. He snorted softly.

“We don’t offer newspapers,” Elia said, “we’re not that kind of restaurant. I bought it this morning when I went down to Zermatt…for posterity.”

Luca winked to Daniel across the table. Justin finally managed to squeeze down the slide, and together with the girl he came over. The girl’s braid was halfway undone, and soft curls in the same golden brown as Elia’s hair fell down her back. She climbed one of the chairs to inspect the bowls with salty snacks, deemed them inadequate, and ran back to the slide.

“Oh good, you have it too,” Justin said when he saw the paper, and picked an almond out of a bowl.

“I don’t understand why you wouldn’t give at least one interview,” Elia said, and poured the wine in the glasses.

Daniel shrugged. “Because there’s nothing more to tell than what we posted. Not to them.” He jerked his chin towards the newspaper, and accepted a glass from Elia.

“It’s not about telling more, it’s about controlling the narrative,” Elia tried to explain. “Your phones must be blowing up.”

Daniel chuckled, and pretend-glared at Justin. “Well, the one that we know of.”

Luca laughed, and dipped a chip into the bowl with guacamole. “What? Did you throw yours into a lake?”

“Of course not,” Justin said between two olives. “It’s in one of my suitcases.”

“It vibrated nonstop for two days, and since then it’s been dead,” Daniel continued. “Also, Gino wrote me again. He asks if you packed one of his gloves by mistake when you left on Friday.”

“No, I didn’t. You can write him that.”

“You can do it!” Daniel exclaimed. “With your own bloody device.”

Justin grinned at his boyfriend, and raised his glass.

“So sweet to see you’re still as in love as on the first day,” Luca cooed.

With everything settled, Elia finally sat down, and raised his glass too. “Well, I for one am happy for you,” he said as they clinked glasses. “Also, congratulations on your 10-year-anniversary.”

“Damn, we’re getting old,” Luca remarked. “Where did all the hair go?”

“Don’t you mean years?” Justin asked.

Daniel took a sip, and looked at the glass with appreciation. “Oh, that’s a really nice one.”

“I know,” Elia said, and popped a cheese cube into his mouth.

Luca picked up another chip, and pulled the bowl with guacamole closer. “And how does it feel?”

Justin reached across the table, and pulled it back towards the middle. “How does what feel?”

“Your new freedom,” Luca explained. “You know, not having to hide anymore.”

Justin hovered the chip full of guacamole in the air, and turned to Daniel. They looked at each other.

“It feels good,” Justin smiled, and they kissed.

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whatdoesshedotothem · 2 years

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[KISS] Monday 14 August 1837

8 ¼

12 5

she began the thing last night and seemed having too good a kiss to bear I therefore left her and she moaned and fidgeted half the night after and got up this morning out of sorts temper I think also what a queer discomfort making person! very fine morning F75° now at 9 ¼ am in the sun thermometer hanging out at my study window as usual – [asp.t] south – roof hanging close over the window 2ft. + breakfast now at 9 ¼ with Mr. Gray – A- was gone (to Crownest or the school, I suppose of course) – out at 10 with Robert Mann ordering about 1 thing or other – G- can make most of him – so gave him on Saturday the lime and sand fetching concern to manage, and today told him to look after everybody and see that nothing was wanted – he and Jack Green and Sam Booth began to take up the steps under the yew trees to be made do for the conery garden steps – then ordering wit Booth about terrace tower steps and west tower steps the latter to be placed on Thursday – then with Frank and Mark Hepworth trenching in clay from where the terrace entrance gates are to be, in the hall croft just under my walk-gate – told Robert Mann to talk to me some other time about Mytholm middle back cottage which he had the key of and took his son David to look at yesterday I hinted at Robert living in the farm house that Frank is going to leave, more especially now that Robert has given up Mr. Haighs’ coal – getting and says he has thought of taking his 2 or 3 daughters from working at the mill at some time – came in at 12 25 – wrote all but the first 4 ½ lines of today and at my books and papers till went down to Robert Mann at 1 ¼ about Mawson’s carts taking the laundry court road stuff to underneath the farm yard wall east side – could not do with it there – to be taken to form embankment in the paddock about midway – Holt the engineer came about 2 said I was going to H-x so he waited for me in the road while I had done with Robert Mann and Mawson – Holt would willingly persuade me to fix as soon as possible about my steam engine – said Iron was rising in price – he had given us a vote – said I would settle about the engine as soon as I could – in no great hurry yet – glad he had given us a vote – if he had voted altogether against us, I should not have thought more of him or his estimates – down the old bank to Mr. Parker’s office – there at 3 35 P- and A- had just sat down to dinner so said I would call again in about ½ hour – went to the bank – gave a check (as usual) for £600 to be paid to Messrs. Hammersley and co. bankers London – Mr. Davidson say they would advise their bankers in London of it tomorrow and the money would be paid on Wednesday – dated my check tomorrow Tuesday 15 August – then to Gill’s the shoemaker for shoes – Gill not at home – to come and measure me at 8pm. on Thursday – Mrs. Gill had wished to see A- to tell her that if she wrote to Mrs. Rawdon or Miss Briggs now staying with her she (Mrs. Gill) thought Mrs. Rawdons’ place might be got for Charlotte Booth – then to Whitleys’ – bought Eloge on Dupuytren translated by Mr. Ikin surgeon of H-x and pollbook and Mudies’ popular mathematics and at Mr. Parker’s office again at 4 20 till 5 ¼ - read P- the copy of letter I intended writing to Messrs. Hammersley and co. to invest the £400 + £24 interest for the infant son of Mrs. Sarah Ellen Graham (daughter of Mrs. Ferguson) it was what Mr. Watson wrote P- curtailed the letter a good deal and very well – then read him copy of what I wrote to Mr. Hodgson on Saturday about the hotel – nothing, said P-, could be better – gave him the Liverpool letter to answer – to say I did not wish to increase my outlay the hotel being very complete, and in superior style, well with the attention of anyone who had capital – then talked over Mr. Carr’s proposal – P- evidently for my

SH:7/ML/E/20/0111

agreeing for house and furniture and everything – said I only wanted the coaches – should be glad if I got a tenant for the hotel, and I would leave him to agree with Mr. Carr – but I should not like to miss the coaches – P- to try to gain time – said I had a person ready to take the tap of the tenant – I had not named the subject except to one gentleman whom I had consulted (did not mention CP. and sure Mr. Parker could not guess) P- not croking [crooking] today – said Carrs’ retiring was very lucky – and the hotel not costing near so much as people thought would be a good speculation – would make my other property adjoining much more valuable – I hope the hotel will turn out well, and if the coal does, too, I shall be thankful – I do not despair – Just mentioned Holts’ offer to Mr. Jeremiah R- to buy the low bed sough, and JR-‘s laughing and saying it was worth thousands – I said H- wanted to persuade me to give a thousand pounds for it – but I only consented to give £500, and now I would not give as many pence – I had convinced H- I should be better without it – I did not consider R-‘s coal worth anything – I would not take it a gift if I was obliged to work it – I ought to have added if obliged to work it as R- does – I thought he must have laid out £15000 – returned up the old bank – sometime on the embankment in Allen car against the road wall – then in the gardens and stood talking to the gardener about Hemingways’ son – thinks he could not well manage him among so many men – I should very well like him to take little John Booth if he the gardener thought he could take it entirely from his father and made anything of him – sometime on the home-terrace with Mr. Gray – and about – came in at 7 ¼ A- having returned from Crownest 5 minutes before – very much tired but right as to temper dinner at 7 35 – went into A- sitting for a few minutes but came up with A- at 9 put her to bed – had Cookson to help me till 9 20 then left them for 25 minutes and sat reading Mudies’ popular mathematics – then a few minutes with A-who had had tea, and tho’ tired seemed better – then till 10 35 wrote all but the 1st 16 lines of today – very fine day – F61° at 9 20 pm – sat reading in my study till 11 20 – looking the directions in Dodsley’s cellar book, Clarkes’ Innkeepers’ guide

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careerleaders · 3 days

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saurabharya · 11 days

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tourismirctc · 1 year

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cgichandigarh · 1 year

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What is IPUCET?

What is NCHMCTJEE?

The Importance of Coaching for IPUCET and NCHMCTJEE Exams

Finding the Best Hotel Management Coaching in Chandigarh

About Competition Guru

Why Choose Competition Guru for Hotel Management Coaching in Chandigarh?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

Introduction:

Hotel Management is a promising career option that provides a wide range of opportunities in the hospitality industry. It is a field that demands professionalism, efficiency, and excellence. To pursue a career in Hotel Management, one needs to clear various entrance exams, including IPUCET and NCHMCTJEE. Preparing for these exams can be challenging, and one needs the right guidance and coaching to succeed. In this article, we will explore the Best Hotel Management Coaching in Chandigarh with Competition Guru and understand why it is the ideal choice for students looking to excel in their hotel management careers.

Understanding Hotel Management Coaching:

Hotel Management coaching refers to the process of receiving expert guidance and training to prepare for entrance exams related to the hospitality industry. The coaching is designed to help students understand the various concepts, theories, and practical aspects of hotel management, and prepare them for the entrance exams. The coaching classes typically cover topics such as food and beverage service, front office operations, housekeeping management, and hospitality law, among others.

What is IPUCET?

IPUCET, also known as Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test, is conducted by Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU). The exam is held annually for admission to various undergraduate and postgraduate programs offered by the university, including hotel management courses.

What is NCHMCTJEE?

NCHMCTJEE, also known as National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology Joint Entrance Examination, is a national level exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The exam is held for admission to various hotel management courses offered by colleges and universities across India.

The Importance of Coaching for IPUCET and NCHMCTJEE Exams:

Preparing for IPUCET and NCHMCTJEE exams can be a daunting task, especially for those who have no prior knowledge of the subjects. Coaching classes provide the necessary guidance and training to students, helping them understand the various concepts, theories, and practical aspects of hotel management. The classes also provide mock tests and practice sessions to help students prepare for the actual exam. By enrolling in coaching classes, students can increase their chances of success in these highly competitive exams.

Finding the Best Hotel Management Coaching in Chandigarh:

Chandigarh is home to some of the best coaching centers for hotel management in India. However, choosing the right coaching center can be a challenge. When looking for the best hotel management coaching in Chandigarh, it is essential to consider factors such as coaching experience, faculty expertise, course material, and student success rate.

About Competition Guru:

Competition Guru is one of the leading coaching centers in Chandigarh, providing expert coaching for various entrance exams, including IPUCET and NCHMCTJEE. The institute has a team of highly qualified and experienced faculty members who use innovative teaching methods to help students excel in their careers. With a focus on quality education and personalized attention, Competition Guru has emerged as the preferred choice for hotel management coaching in Chandigarh.

Why Choose Competition Guru for Hotel Management Coaching in Chandigarh?

There are several reasons why Competition Guru is the best hotel management coaching center in Chandigarh. Some of the key features of the institute are:

Experienced Faculty: The coaching center has a team of experienced and dedicated faculty members who have years of experience in teaching Hotel Management.

Comprehensive Study Material: Competition Guru provides students with comprehensive study material that covers all the topics required for IPUCET and NCHMCT JEE exams.

Personal Attention: The coaching center provides personal attention to each student and focuses on their individual strengths and weaknesses.

Mock Tests: Competition Guru conducts regular mock tests to help students evaluate their preparation level and identify areas of improvement.

Affordable Fees: The coaching center provides quality coaching at affordable fees, making it accessible to students from all backgrounds.

VI. Programs Offered by Competition Guru

Competition Guru offers a range of programs for students who are preparing for IPUCET and NCHMCT JEE exams. Some of the programs offered by the coaching center are:

Classroom Coaching: The coaching center provides classroom coaching for Hotel Management students. The classes are conducted by experienced faculty members who cover all the topics required for the exams.

Distance Learning Program: Competition Guru also offers a distance learning program for students who are unable to attend regular classes. The program includes study material, online lectures, and mock tests.

Crash Course: The coaching center offers a crash course for students who are looking for a last-minute preparation for the exams. The course is designed to cover all the important topics in a short period of time.

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viteducation · 1 year

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best-coaching-ahmedabad · 1 year

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NCHMCT - JEE Entrance Exam Coaching Classes in Bopal Ambli

NCHMCT - JEE Entrance Exam Coaching Classes in Bopal Ambli for Hotel Management & Hospitality

NCHMCT – JEE Entrance Exam Coaching Classes in Bopal Ambli for Hotel Management & Hospitality Students who are in Class 11 – 12 (Any Board / Medium / Stream) are often pressured with Academics, Marks and Results. Science Students since last decade even carry the additional task of IIT – JEE / Medicine NEET Exam Preparation. But things have evolved very quickly in the last 5 years and post…

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niemernuet · 2 years

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One day late with last week's entry for the off-season winter sports fandom challenge. 😫

The subject was: winter sports summer camp - everyone’s bunking together 🛏☀️🎉

I've been trying all week but didn't have time to tie it up over the weekend, and now I'm kinda glad because the first version did not have a happy ending, and I only had the idea for an epilogue today. It's another take on Dave Ryding's wedding (Nina will probably go to school when I stop beating that horse), also I saw the new pictures of the Swiss-Ski coaches and I just could not let Hannes get away with it like that. (in hindsight his beard is probably not much worse than in Bending Gates, it's just the terrible light, but who cares)

As a Team

rating: T pairing: Daniel Yule/Justin Murisier characters: Justin Murisier, Marco Odermatt, Gino Caviezel, Semyel Bissig, Loïc Meillard, Thomas Tumler, Hannes Hassler, Renzo Valsecchi, Daniel Yule, Ramon Zenhäusern, Sandro Simonet, Luca Aerni, Noel v. Grünigen, Tanguy Nef length: 3'800 words

A grey sky covered the valley from end to end, flooding it with the dim yet promising light of a new summer day. The air was cool though it already carried the heat that would suffocate the valley come afternoon but for the people assembled on the big parking lot at the entrance of the park it was of no importance; they would be high in the mountains by then. Another car left the road, and crawled over the gravel until it came to a halt near the group.

"Remind me again why I'm here?" Gino yawned as he stepped out of the car, and stretched his limbs. Marco and Semyel emerged from the other side of the car, and with barely-open eyes shuffled to the trunk.

"It's compulsory," Hannes said, and turned away from the gigantic map picturing the entirety of the valley.

Gino's answer got lost in a snort as his eyes fell on Hannes. "Did you lose a bet?"

Renzo, still staring up at the map, coughed. Hannes glared at Gino. "Good morning to you, too."

"No," Semyel grumbled though it drowned of the noise of another car approaching.

"Bonjour!" Loïc beamed, and almost skipped over the ground as he made the round to greet everyone.

"Finally!" Hannes sighed, and again glared at the rest of the group. "Finally someone who is happy to be here."

"How couldn't I be?" Loïc laughed. "Look at that light! Imagine how it will look when the sun climbs over the mountains. I will need to take so many pictures! Also cool moustache." He pulled his backpack out of the trunk, and slung it over his shoulders.

Justin stepped to him, far less enthused than Loïc, and grabbed the other backpack from the car.

"Why couldn't we do this like in other years?" Gino asked. "What's so bad about a nice hotel with a pool and a restaurant?"

"We spend most of our time together in hotels," Hannes said curtly. "I just thought we might do something new for once."

"He took a course in team-building," Renzo explained, followed by loud groans.

"Are you serious?" Marco exclaimed.

"So you think walking around for hours and sleeping on an old army blanket in one room will do what?" Semyel added. "Bring us closer together?"

"You know you're a coach for an individual sport, right?" Gino asked.

Hannes glared at Renzo who was not in the least bothered by his withering look. Before he could say anything though, another car appeared, fast and with almost screeching brakes.

"Sorry sorry!" Thomi said as he jumped out. "But in fairness it's too fucking early."

"You live the closest," Gino reminded him unhelpfully. "How do you manage to always be last?"

"Well, you see," Thomi answered, "I really didn't want to come." He turned to Hannes, and startled. "What happened to your face?"

"Thanks for coming!" Hannes yelled, and beckoned them all to come closer. "It's time for our yearly pre-training-camp-camp, and for this year we thought we could do things a bit differently."

"Where are Krugi and Kurti?" Marco threw in.

"They have other commitments but they wish us well," Hannes answered.

"They said 'not it' faster," Renzo muttered.

"This year, instead of the usual boring golf course or pool, we'll do something totally new," Hannes continued unperturbed. "We'll hike to the SAC-hut up there, some few kilometres behind that mountain. On our way…"

"How many?" Gino interrupted.

Hannes hesitated. "Twenty…twenty-two if we take the scenic route," he said, and new groaning erupted.

"You won't regret it!" Hannes insisted. "And also, we will not just walk. I will give you two tasks today. For the first task, you’ll have time from here to our lunch break. I want you to think about your expectations for the next season. What will you need from your environment so that in the end you can say that you were able to give it your everything?” Hannes looked them in the eyes one after the other though the meaningful silence was cut short by Thomi.

“Personally, I feel happiest when I don’t have to be afraid that one of my coaches has the mange.”

Laughter followed their first steps as they started their trek though it all died down fast once the ascend began. The path was narrow and steep, following the mountainside that rose almost vertically into the sky. The night had left a treacherous sheen of moisture on the rocks and stones, forcing them to be careful with every step. Hannes was at the front, setting a brisk pace, with the rest following behind, the only things audible being their heavy breathing and the shutter of Loïc’s camera snapping ever so often. Slowly, in the opposite direction they were going, the sunshine crawled down into the valley, and when they had conquered the first mountain, they could see their cars as blinking dots far below.

"Okay, I've thought about what I want next season," Semyel panted as they looked out over the plateau spreading out far and wide in front of them. "Can we go back now?"

"Nice try," Hannes said, and marched on. "Think some more!"

With sighs and moans, most of the rest followed in his step. Loïc snapped one last picture of the valley they had come from, and hurried after them. After a few steps he stopped, and turned around again.

"Are you coming too?" he asked.

Justin startled, and shoved his phone back into the side-pocket of his backpack. "Yeah," he said absent-mindedly, and followed him. A gap had opened between them and the rest of the group, though Loïc was quickly closing in.

"There's no reception here," Justin remarked as they trotted along the rocky path.

"That was to be expected," Loïc said.

----

The path seemed almost flat compared to before, though the overwhelming magnitude of the mountains rising all around them, coupled with the sprawling plateau in front of them, gave the appearance as if they made no progress at all. The end of the valley seemed as far away as at the beginning when Hannes stopped near a big boulder, and announced the break. The sun was getting stronger, and Marco climbed on top of the warm stone, and laid down flat on his stomach. "I only have one wish for next season," he said with his cheek on the stone. "I just want to bunk with someone who doesn't snore."

"Be realistic," Thomi said, and opened one of the tupperware boxes he was lugging along. "You're staying with me."

"But what about me?" Seymel asked. "What if I want to bunk with Marco?"

Thomi chomped down on an apple, and ripped a big bite out of it. "Not my fault you missed the last season. You can sleep with the skis for all I care," he said with his mouth full.

"I want more glove-dryers for next season," Gino threw in. "There's never enough for everyone, and the tips always stay ice cold when I put them over the radiator."

"I wasn't thinking about that kind of needs," Hannes said as he peeled a banana. "More like things the group can do for you, you know?"

"The group can stop snoring at night," Marco said, and accepted a sandwich from Semyel.

"The group can stop hogging the glove-dryers," Gino added.

Hannes pinched the bridge of his nose with his free hand for a moment. "You don't have to announce your thoughts just yet," he eventually said. "We'll discuss it tonight, in the cabin."

"I need more Brändi Dog," Loïc said unperturbed, and poured a cup of tea from his thermos. "Last season we played more Jass but I like Brändi Dog better, and I think my needs were not met adequately."

Hannes took a deep breath. Renzo, who had watched them with great amusement, finally took a little bit of pity, and tried to cheer him up. "What's the second task?"

Hannes glared at him, missing Renzo's good intentions entirely. "The second question is what you will do to make life in our group better next season but I'm not sure whether I still want to know it."

"What I will do?" Gino exclaimed. "I am already a delight for this group! God knows what you'd do without me."

"Same," Thomi said. "I am a peach to have. You're welcome. Hey!" He ducked as Marco and Semyel covered him with the remains of their bananas and sandwiches.

They finished their lunch, and prepared for the second stretch of their hike. The cabin was still hidden behind a slope at the other end of the plateau.

"How long do we still have to go?" Semyel asked as he waited for the rest to get ready. He wistfully stared at his useless phone before putting it back in his pocket.

"About two and a half hours," Hannes said. "The first stretch was the hardest, it'll be easy from now on."

"I can't wait for the lukewarm beer waiting at the end," Marco muttered, and walked away.

They fell into an easy trot, with Hannes at the front again, while a soft wind from the peaks cooled down the scorching heat. A little stream followed them with every step, meandering its way through the coarse tufts of grass, the only thing still growing at this height. Sometime in the mid-afternoon, the path rose again. They had reached the end of the plateau, and looked back once more before beginning their second ascent. This time, the rocks were not fused with the ground, slipping away underneath their feet if they put their weight down wrong. Loïc put his expensive camera in his backpack, away from possible harm, and Renzo revealed a pair of hiking poles from his baggage that he used to help on his way. Slowly, with many curses, they climbed over the rubble, up a narrow ravine, and around the flank of the nearest mountain, until the ground got even again, and the cabin appeared in the distance.

"Finally," Thomi panted, and held out his hand to Semyel for the last jump over the scree.

"I just realised another need," Gino said as he stumbled over the ever-rolling rubble. "I need us to take another way down tomorrow."

The terrace of the cabin was almost empty when they arrived as the sun began to sink behind the highest mountains, only a group of climbers sat in one corner. They slipped into the large felt slippers that lay ready at the door, sternly observed by the warden of the cabin, and walked through the house to the dormitory they would share that night.

"Oh yes," Thomi groaned as he laid down on the mattress closest to the door. "I can feel the floor underneath. Just the way I like it."

"There's a tooth between my mattress and the wall," Loïc announced from the other end of the room. "Oh, wait, never mind. It's just a tic tac."

"What's for dinner?" Gino asked, and pulled a fresh shirt out of his backpack.

-----

They ate on the patio, looking out over the barren landscape. The beer was indeed lukewarm but that did not stop them from ordering again.

"It is kinda nice, I have to admit," Thomi said and scraped the rest of his spaghetti sauce together. "Though a hotel with a pool would have been nice too, but you know…"

Justin had left the table, and hung over the banister where, according to the warden, there sometimes was cell reception. Loïc was walking across the patio, around the tables where other groups sat together, and took pictures again. Marco followed him with his eyes, lost in his thoughts, while Renzo collected the empty plates, and carried them inside.

"So, what's the correct answer?" he asked Hannes when the warden came out with coffee.

Hannes frowned. "To what?"

"To your questions from today."

"There is no right answer," Hannes said. "I really want to know what we could do better for next season."

"Glove dryer," Gino piped up.

"Single rooms," Marco threw in.

"Breakfast in bed," Semyel added.

Hannes rolled his eyes, and poured a packet of sugar into his coffee.

"No, seriously," Thomi eventually said. "I thought it wasn't too bad last season. We're getting along reasonably well…can't it just stay that way?"

Hannes shrugged, and looked out over the mountains that slowly turned red. "There's always something to make things better."

"Your coffee is getting cold!" Gino shouted across the patio to Justin who was still trying to make his phone work.

"I'm coming," he said without budging.

"You know, you haven't said anything all day," Thomi added. "What are your needs?"

Justin typed away on the screen, and gave no answer.

Marco grinned. "How about conjugal visits?"

"A chopper on stand-by for when we're far away from the slalom-team," Thomi added, and waggled his eyebrows.

"Maybe try to stay within the budget," Renzo laughed.

"That's not coming from our budget, of course," Gino shrugged him off. "It's not Justin who loses his nerves unless his beloved tells him to get his ass into gear."

"How is he, by the way?" Semyel shouted over the patio. "Also, send him our regards."

"What are you even doing?" Thomi added. "Are you trying to download a picture he's sent?"

"Don't you know by know what he looks like?" Marco asked.

"Well, maybe it's not about his face but about what he's wearing," Gino said.

"Or not," Loïc added.

They laughed, talking about what the picture might entail, and yelling new things for Justin to send his boyfriend. No one of them realised the change in Justin until it was too late.

"Why can't you leave me the fuck alone?" he hollered, and with one swift movement threw his phone as hard as he could. Silence fell over the patio as they all watched it sail through the air, and disappear among the grey rocks somewhere in the dusk. Justin whirled around, and stomped over. "You don't care about anything but yourselves and you sure as fuck won't change so why do we have to do this stupid fucking pretend-game over and over again?" His face was red with fury, his fists balled tight as he screamed at them. "The only thing I need is for you to leave me alone, and to keep your nose out of things that don't concern you!"

-----

The door creaked softly as it opened. The sun had disappeared entirely, and darkness was coming fast now. Their room was at the back of the house, and the light from the small window was just enough to show Justin as a misshapen shadow leaning against the wall at the head-end of his bed. Semyel was the last to enter, and winced with every squeak of the hinges as he closed the door again. Loïc dug through his backpack before he joined the rest of them on the row of mattresses next to Justin's, and tried to hand him a tissue but Justin did not move. He had his legs pulled up against his chest, and his face half hidden behind his knees, yet even in the twilight, they could see the tears shimmering in his eyes.

"Is something with Daniel?" Gino asked when the silence became too heavy.

Justin blinked, and the shimmer disappeared from his eyes. He pulled up his nose. "We were at Dave's wedding," he said after a while, his voice only a coarse whisper. They waited for him to continue. "And he's been really strange ever since we came back. I asked him what's wrong and he insisted that everything is fine. But I know him, and it was…not. Something was different."

The rest of the guests staying the night in the cabin had resumed their conversations, and the indistinguishable murmur of their voices wafted through the closed window.

"And now he told you?" Marco asked.

"Last week…" Justin rasped. "He…he asked if I wanted to marry him."

Nothing had prepared them for that answer, and they all watched helplessly as Justin's shoulders bobbed up and down.

"And you said yes of course and now you're sad because you don't know what to wear?" Thomi asked, and coughed when Gino and Semyel elbowed him from both sides.

Justin rubbed his face against his knees, and pulled his nose up once more. "I said I don't know."

Loïc hissed as if a heavy stone had landed on his toe.

"Oh no…" Semyel whispered.

Justin laughed, despite everything, and without joy. "Yeah." Finally he took the tissue from Loïc, and blew his nose before wiping the tears from his cheeks.

"I really don't know!" he erupted, smashing the wet tissue down into the old mattress. "We've never talked about this, not in all the years. I've never thought about it...I thought that's just something others do…" He wrapped his arms around his knees again. "I thought we don't need anyone's permission," he added softly.

"He always was a sap," Thomi mused, and caught another set of elbows.

Justin chuckled. "He is."

They waited for more but Justin was lost in his thoughts.

"So, you're…," Marco eventually dared to ask, though is voice fell into a whisper as he choked on the last word. "…over?"

Justin shrugged. This time, his eyes remained dry. "He's been at his parents' ever since," he said. "He didn't answer the phone all week but of course this morning I had a missed call from him. I didn't see it because I was driving, and when I tried to call him before we left he didn't pick up once more…" He sighed, and stretched out his legs while leaning against the wall. Loïc shimmied over the mattress, and after a few moments the flashlight of his phone illuminated the now completely dark room. Justin did not blink as the light hit his eyes like the others did, he was somewhere else again, and with hanging shoulders stared into nothingness.

"That's why I didn't want to answer Hannes' questions," he said flatly. "I don't want to think about next season. I don't even want to think about tomorrow."

Silence fell again as they all tried to come up with something to say, and all failing. It was Justin who spoke again. "Do you think I broke him?"

They laughed softly.

"If anything, it was a group-effort," Loïc said.

"We probably could have taken him a bit more seriously," Gino admitted, and, after a few moments of consideration added: "I could have…"

"Also we should probably stop mocking his beard," Thomi added. "Not least of all because most of us do not have the high ground in that matter."

"Why are you looking at me?" Marco asked.

Justin grinned, and kicked him with his foot. "Where is Hannes, anyway?" he asked, and shuffled towards the foot-end of the bed.

"Renzo is trying to cheer him up. Also they borrowed the big flashlight from the warden, the one they need to find lost climbers at night, and they're looking for your phone."

"Should probably help them, then," Justin said, and tied his shoes. He waited in the door while the others clambered over the mattresses.

"You know, the warden has a phone that works," Gino piped up.

Epilogue:

Ramon frowned as he tried to read the numbers on the screen upside down. "Begins 081…" he said.

"That's Grison!" Sandro exclaimed, and shoved the phone across the table. "He's with Gino! Answer it!"

"Gino doesn't have a landline," Daniel brushed him off over the incessantly ringing phone. "It's not him."

"Then he's at Thomi's!" Tanguy insisted. "Stop trying to find excuses and pick up!"

"Let me help you," Luca said, shoved two of the many bottles littering the table aside, and pushed down on the green button.

"Are you out of your…" Daniel shouted, and jumped up from his chair. He grabbed the phone, and fled from the hollering crowd into the living room, shutting the glass door behind himself. He glared at them with pure fury though his attention soon shifted as he started to talk to the person at the other end.

"Fucking finally!" Noel groaned, and dropped his head over the back of the chair, staring out into the peaceful night in La Fouly. The crickets chirped in the tall grass, the mosquitoes swarmed around the lamp above their table, and nothing but the stars in the sky knew about the effort that had taken place here tonight.

"We deserve a met…meyta…" Tanguy said, stumbling over the word.

"Medal?" Sandro tried.

"The one!" Tanguy nodded, and wagged his finger. "For saving true love."

"Two idiots, more likely," Luca muttered.

"Two idiots and true love," Tanguy insisted.

"We don't know that yet," Ramon reminded them, and was showered with corks and boos in response.

They watched through the window as Daniel paced through the living room, sometimes nodding, sometimes talking. They did not know how much time had passed but they all watched with bated breath when he hung up, and remained with his back to their table.

"Please say you're still together," Noel muttered over and over again. Slowly, Daniel turned around, and with a sombre look on his face returned to the table on the patio.

"And?" Tanguy asked when he could not bear the suspense any longer.

Daniel shrugged. Then, a smile washed over his face, and new cheers erupted around the table. Daniel's smile vanished just as fast as it had come, and he futilely tried to shush them. "Shut up!" he hissed. "You can't see them but we do have neighbours, you know?"

"True love is saved!" Tanguy yelled into the night before Daniel could slap a hand over his mouth.

"I'll drink to that!" Luca said, and looked over the table. "Wait…"

"Someone needs to fetch some more wine," Noel said. "Can't be me, because I can't stand up anymore. But someone should."

"The bar is closed," Daniel deadpanned, and sat down in his chair. "You managed to drink every last bottle we've had."

He snorted as Luca and Tanguy high-fived over the table.

"And?" Sandro asked, and looked at him expectantly.

Daniel's smile turned inwards again, and he shrugged. "He called from a SAC-cabin in Grison," he began.

Luca snorted. "What a drama queen."

"It's an excursion with the entire team," Daniel explained.

"So not a tantrum then," Ramon said.

"He didn't throw a tantrum!" Daniel hissed.

"Eh…" Noel said, and the rest nodded.

"Did you tell him he's an idiot?" Sandro continued the interrogation.

Daniel shrugged, and bit back a smile. "I'll tell him in person."

"But you have to! Promise us!" Tanguy insisted, and wagged his finger again, this time in front of Daniel's face. "Otherwise he'll never learn. That's the thing about giant-slaloms…slalomers. They're fast on legs but slow in the head."

"Justin used to be in the slalom-group too," Daniel reminded him.

"And then he switched," Tanguy shot back. "I always knew he wasn't a good fit for us. We have standards here."

"Hey! That's my boyfriend you're talking about."

This time it was Luca who put his hand over Tanguy's mouth.

#osws fandom challenge #rpf #sports rpf #text #alpine skiing #mine

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