just a place

Title: Mean
Disclaimer: This is not real. That is why it is called FICTION!
Characters: Roger Federer/Marat Safin, Andy & Jamie Murray
Rating: R
Warnings: n/a
Notes: Listening to Pink's song, Mean I had an idea for a fic.
Summary: Roger and Marat are mean to each other.



"I hate you!"

"Then why the fuck are you still here?"

A sigh escapes and Roger looks away. "I don't know. Because it's easier than leaving."

Marat runs a hand through his hair. "Roger... I..."

"Me too, Marat. I'll take the couch tonight, okay?"

"Yeah."

Roger grabs a blanket and a pillow and sinks onto the couch, watching the door close behind Marat. "I can't keep staying just because it's easier than leaving," he whispers to himself. He waits until he can hear the sounds of Marat's soft snoring and he gets up, grabbing his bag and heading out. He wanders the halls until he finds himself standing in front of a familiar door. He knocks softly, then looks both ways to see if anyone's around.

"Roger? What're you doing here?"

"Hi Andy. I... I need a place to crash. Got a couch?"

Andy blinks at him, dragging a hand through his curls and then steps back. "I suppose so. What happened, Roger?"

Roger steps into the room, then stops. "Jamie. Shit. I'm sorry, Andy, I didn't think... I forgot your brother was here."

"It's okay. He's got his own room."

Jamie smiles at Roger, then stands up. "Well, it's been fun, Andy and I'll be back for that rematch."

They hug at the door, then Andy turns to look at Roger. "What's wrong with your room?"

"Marat's there."

"Safin?" Andy stares at him confused. "He retired. Why's he at a tournament?"

"To spend time with me." Roger sinks onto the couch and looks up at Andy. "I'll tell you everything for a cup of coffee."

"No coffee. Jamie won't drink it and if he smells it on me, he yells." Andy smiles and goes over to the kitchenette area. He comes back carrying a steaming mug. "Tea."

Roger wrinkles his nose, but thanks Andy and takes a sip. He blinks rapidly then smiles. "Your tea is strong enough to be coffee."

"Yeah. Only way I can drink it sometimes. I need that jolt to the system, you know? Now, why is Marat in your room and you in mine?"

Roger turns and looks at him. He opens his mouth to speak, then closes it and sighs. Then he looks at his cup as he explains how he and Marat have been lovers for years but lately, all they do is scream at each other and they're just mean to one another. "So... I've stayed and I only realized tonight that I don't want to stay and just hate each other. I'd rather not have him in my life than hate him."

"Why do we get so mean?"

"I wish I knew. Did I make the wrong decision?"

"I don't know. I think you did what you had to do." Andy shrugs and touches Roger's shoulder. "The most I can suggest is make your decision, but make sure it's the right one. For tonight, you should go back and try to talk to him in the morning. Don't make this decision this quickly."

Roger nods and touches Andy's hand. "Sorry I drove away your brother."

"It's okay. Gave me an excuse to avoid him kicking my ass at Wii."

Roger laughs and gets to his feet, heading back to his room. He settles back onto the couch and glances over at the door to the bedroom. He's love Marat for years, but he's not sure he can deal with the way they've been going at each other so maliciously. With a quiet sigh, he falls asleep.

The next morning, he wakes up to find Marat sitting on the coffee table, watching him. He blinks a few times, then sits up, yawning. "Marat?"

"I... I know why I've been acting such an ass. But I don't know why you've been acting the same way?"

"You tell me your reason and I'll tell you mine."

Wrinkling his nose, Marat hands Roger a cup of coffee, then shifts to sit next to him on the couch. "I'm jealous. Not of your success or how well you play tennis, but of how much you devote yourself to tennis. You don't devote your time to me half as much."

Roger sips at his coffee, letting out a smile as soon as he realizes Marat's made it just the way he likes it. He's not used to Marat remembering how he likes things-- or maybe that was more of them just being mean to each other. "I've been acting that way... because I thought you were bored of me. That you wanted to see other people and you were just trying to get me to end the relationship. I figured if I acted the same way back, you'd break up with me and... and I could point and say, look at what he did to me."

Marat laughs and shakes his head. "Nyet. I love you, Roger. I know I never say it, but I do and I just... I want you to pay as much attention to me as you do tennis. At least when you're not playing or practicing."

Roger scoots over after setting his coffee down and hugs him, kissing him softly. "I can certainly change how much attention I pay you. I thought... well, no, because I was pulling away before, wasn't I?" Roger makes a face. "I'm sorry. I'll be better, I promise."

"And so will I." Marat turns his head and kisses him, shifting them until they're laying down together. "Do you have practice or... anything?"

"I have a press thing to do at two, but nothing until then and nothing after then. I'm all yours except for that hour."

Marat smiles. "Good. Then I will order us up some breakfast and we can just laze around, spending time with one another until your press thing."

Roger smiles back and nods, scooting off of the couch. "I'm going to go shower. Join me after you call in our order, okay?"

Marat's eyebrow goes up and he nods. "I'll be there as soon as I can." He reaches for the phone as Roger laughs and heads into the bathroom.

He undresses quickly and turns on the water how Marat's always liked his showers. Warm, but not scalding like he likes his shower. He turns to his shower bag and grabs out his soap and shampoo, then startles when Marat grabs him around the waist. Marat chuckles in his ear and mumbles, "Sorry, Rog. I didn't mean to scare you."

"Startle. You startled me."

"Same difference." Marat kisses the back of his neck and moves back a step. "Ready for our shower?"

Roger turns and smiles at him. "Of course." He steps in first, Marat moving behind him and Marat lets out a sound of pleasure. "I figured your temperature would be better than mine."

"Ah." Marat dips his head and kisses Roger. "Thank you for remembering."

"You're welcome." They kiss again and Roger sets his soap and shampoo aside, wrapping his arms around Marat's neck. "So, how fast are we moving back into the relationship?"

"Are you asking me for sex in the showers, Roger?" Marat grins at him.

"Would I do that?" Roger tries his best to look innocent before he and Marat both laugh. "Of course I am."

Marat nods and kisses him. "Then yes. We'll be moving very fast."

Roger laughs harder and he scoots back a little. "Well, then... maybe we should start moving."

"Maybe we should." Marat grabs him again and kisses him before they start groping each other.

Later that day, Roger settles onto the couch with a bowl of popcorn in his lap and Marat by his side and he smiles to himself. "I think maybe we had to be mean to one another to get back to where we both wanted to be."

Marat blinks at him, then smiles. "Very profound. And very true. Now shush and watch the movie."

Roger laughs and settles against Marat. "You shush." And he knows, as they both fall silent to watch the movie, that they won't go through this again.

the end