#which does make remco the default choice in this scenario but we don't have to tell him that

[remcocoa]

oh, what a thing to do

@wtfanworkclassification stage 3: prompt -> yellow (231 words)

also on ao3.

it's both a surprise and not, when the unfortunate commissaire comes to find remco after the race. 

stand on enough podiums, and you learn to recognize the signs - even from a relatively inexperienced winner: eyes on him during the ceremony, a hand lingering a beat too long on his shoulder after photos. he'd just assumed that in this case "childhood friend" might have trumped "cocky stranger." remco's not disappointed to be wrong.

they'd been almost back to the bus, him and mattia and klaas, when the commissaire caught up with them, so it's a long walk back. he's always wondered, in a morbid sort of way, how a person gets chosen for that role. do the commissaires draw straws before the race? is it in a job description somewhere? measure sock heights. watch for sprint deviations. tell a guy the race winner wants to fuck him.

it helps, he's found, to have something to focus on besides the obvious - not because he's nervous, exactly. remco evenepoel doesn't really get nervous, and certainly not about the prospect of getting off with a hot guy. it's not always mutual, he knows, but instinct says in this case it might be. it's a flattering thought.

the commissaire leaves him outside the trailer, and remco's not shy about knocking.

matteo jorgenson is still wearing the yellow jersey from the podium, when he opens the door.