work for it - c. alcaraz
author’s note: I’m planning on turning this into a series. Not lineal episodes but definetly writing about these two characters and their encounters in the village.
summary: Carlos is the sensation of the Olympic village but certain Spanish volley player is about to turn his world upside down
wc: 1,3k
warnings: none (just a couple suggestive phrases)
“Wonderfull training girls!” our coah said giving us both a hug. “Now go and get some rest, you deserve it”
Emma and I were beyond exhausted due to the intense exercise but also to the incredible heat that had been plaguing Paris since we arrived. It was our first time at the Olympics. Emma and Val. Val and Emma. We have been the inseparable duo since we were 14 years old. It was the first day of high school when we both went to the secretary office to ask for the extracurricular sport lessons and when we both signed up for beach volleyball.
The rest was history. Two-time European Champions and current World Champions.
There’s been three days since we arrived at the French capital and so far the experience was being very nice. The Olympic village, despite of what we have heard from several athletes, wasn’t that bad. The beds’ structure was sure made of cardboard but the mattress was comfortable and sharing an “apartment” with other athletes wasn’t a problem for us. The food (of course not even a quarter as good as my mother’s) was up to our nutritional requirements and the chocolate muffins were to die for.
When the bus dropped us off the entrance of the village, we passed the control and we started our way to our apartment. Near to the Spain building we saw a considerable group of people running towards a guy wearing the Spain tracksuit.
“Are those athletes from…” I squeezed my sight trying to recognize their colors “The Netherlands?”
“I’m just trying to find out who they’re running to” Emma said grabbing my arm and dragging me closer to the scene.
“Emma, you’re so nosy, stop it!” I pulled her away to keep our way through the sidewalk but she was way stronger than me so I just gave up.
Now that we were at a certain proximity, we could see that the group was taking a picture and when the athletes dispersed, we saw who was in the middle of the business.
“Of course it’s Carlitos” Emma, satisfied with the gossip, dragged me to our previous rute. “Everyone’s been following him since he arrived”
“First of all, how do you know that?” I raised my eyebrows wondering if she was part of the “stalking party”. “Second, can we blame them? He is one of the most amazing athletes now”
“I didn’t know you held Carlos in such a high esteem” she was the one to raise her eyebrow now but she just let it be.
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"Pau, watch out for the enemy jungler! They’re coming your way" Emma's focus was sharp as she called out.
Pau, clicking furiously, replied, "Got it! I’m on my way to cover mid. Just hold them off for a bit longer."
I was sitting nearby and occasionally glancing at the screen. A soft sigh escaped my lips unintentionally. The constant clacking of keyboards and the rapid-fire strategy talk were beginning to tire me. I had really tried to get into the game, but let's be honest, I wasn't very interested.
Seeing the intense concentration on my friends' faces, I decided it was time for a change of pace.
“Hey, I’m going for a walk. You two try not to eat the screen” I stood up, stretching a bit before going to the door.
“Sure thing! Don’t get lost!” Emma barely looked away from the screen.
“And don’t speak to strangers!” I heard Pau shouting when I was already outside in the hall and I couldn’t refrain a little laugh.
I already knew my way out almost by heart so in less than 2 minutes I was in the main avenue of the village. Some athletes with bicycles passed by me and I considered if I should take one, but I decided I should just walk around.
The ambience was always pretty dope and almost everybody that crossed gazes with me greeted me with some “hi” or “good afternoon”. The vibes of the athletes were just something else and I couldn’t even begin to describe how Iucky I was to witness all of this.
I had just reached a quiet corner of a very open space when I noticed a tennis ball rolling towards my feet.
“That’s weird” I thought
There weren’t any tennis courts inside the village. I bent down to catch the ball and looking up a little, I saw a figure coming over to retrieve it. Tanned skin, Nike shoes and jaw dropping thighs.
When I completely straightened, it took me a second to recognize him but my heart did a little flip on its own.
Carlos Alcaraz, looking as dashing as ever, right in front of me.
“Sorry about that!” he called out as he jogged over. His voice reaching my ears like a familiar melody and his accent rapidly taking me home.
“No problem” I replied handing it to him with my best smile. “Though I expected your aim to be a bit better, considering you’re a pro and all”.
Why did my mouth have to be faster than my brain 80% of the time? I was hating myself right now. Although I obviously used a teasing tone, I didn’t know how he would take the joke.
Carlos laughed, a sound that made me feel bubbles all inside of me and sigh internally with relief.
“You’d think so, huh? I think I just got distracted by something”
My cheeks definitely turned red but with a playful glint in my eyes I said “Well, if I’m your excuse, then I’ll let it slide this time”
He raised an eyebrow, clearly showing that he enjoyed the fact that I responded to his subtle but effective flirting.
“And what about you? Beach volley, right? Valeria, current world champion”
“I feel flattered” I was genuinely surprised. The last thing I was expecting was him knowing who I was.
Carlos shrugged, his grin widening. “I’ve seen your highlights. You’re pretty impressive”
“Well, I’ll have to keep my game up then. Can’t disappoint you now”
He tilted his head slightly, studying me with a mix of curiosity and admiration. “I doubt you ever disappoint.”
By this point we were shamelessly flirting through our tone and our body language.
Carlos broke the silence, his smile turning a bit more mischievous. “You know, I’ve always wanted to try volleyball. Maybe you could show me a thing or two?”
I chuckled, crossing my arms as I repositioned myself grazing my arm with his intentionally. “I don’t know... I wouldn’t want to embarrass you in front of everyone.”
“Oh, so this is how it’s going to be?” Carlos feigned offense, though his eyes were bright with amusement. “Tell you what—how about a trade? You teach me volleyball, and I’ll give you a tennis lesson. We’ll see who embarrasses who”
“Deal. But only if you promise not to go easy on me.”
Oh God, that phrase just sounded so double meaning-like but he did not back down or react.
“Wouldn’t dream of it” he replied, offering his hand for me to shake. When I took it, his heat spread all over my body through my arm. He held on just a moment longer than necessary, his thumb brushing lightly over my knuckles before letting go.
As we walked back towards the Spain building, our conversation flowed effortlessly. We talked about our trainings, the excitement of the games but mostly, we learned the simple things about our lives. Beneath the light-hearted banter, there was a growing awareness of each other. A connection that we both felt in our core, as if we’d known each other in another life.
By the time we reached the common area, Carlos turned to me with a sweet but devilish at the same time smile. “So, when’s our first lesson?”
“You’ll have to work for it”
With a teasingly wink I ended our conversation and I left him watching me leave with an amusing smirk hanging on his lips.
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