Chapter Text
Holger always had a bit of referential fear of his mother.
Since he became a professional tennis player, however, that fear has often turned into frustration and intolerance.
Aneke has always been the kind of parent who’s always on your case, who wants a say, always has something to tell you.
This is bound to clash with Holger’s edgy character.
Having Boris on the team and having moved on his own to Monte-Carlo has certainly rebalanced the relationship with his mother but there are still moments, like that Thursday afternoon, when Holger would like to burst out and send her to hell.
They are in Rotterdam, where Holger reached the semifinals.
“Mom I already know what I have to do, you think about the marketing and I'll take care of the tennis” – is yet another impatient response from the guy.
The team is in the gym after a long morning session on the court with Boris, Lapo is following Holger in a series of weight exercises and Aneke's voice in the background, dispensing unsolicited advice, is not helpful.
“Okay Holg three minute break then let's do one last set”
The Dane lets go of the barbell with a deep breath.
He glances at his cell phone, where there’s a message notification from Casper.
"tomorrow I’ll root for you, good luck love"
Instinctively Holger smiles.
Casper is on his way to Acapulco after losing in the quarterfinals in Rotterdam, Holger will join him as soon as he finishes in Holland.
It's weird not having him there, since Casper started moving his things to Holger's apartment in Monaco the two have practically always been together.
Aneke turns up her nose when she sees her son's dreamy expression.
“Holger, concentrate, you'll have time to talk... with that guy”
Holger's bubble of lightheartedness brutally bursts.
With an annoyed sigh he puts his cell phone back in his bag.
“It would be great if you made the effort to call him by name, Mom.”
Aneke is the best at ignoring Holger's venomous tone, which he must have inherited from someone.
“It makes no difference, that Ruud distracts you”
The dirge has always been the same for weeks.
There wasn’t a real moment when Holger said, "Hey mom Casper Ruud is my boyfriend" but Aneke always knew that Holger liked boys, and with his usual cockiness, Holger never even tried to hide from his family the fact that he and Casper were dating.
To say his mother was hostile is an understatement.
Perhaps it would have been easier to accept that Aneke did not like her boyfriend just because, in fact, it was a boy.
But no, Aneke is against it out of principle, only because it's Casper Ruud.
The nerves this causes in Holger are unimaginable.
“Ah, in fact, I reached the semi-final because I was distracted, count on it”
Lapo casts a compassionate look at his player, who grabs the 15kg barbell again with far too much emphasis.
“Think where you would get if that cheeky guy didn't always hover around you”
Aneke has the decency to open her mouth when Holger's exercise is over because surely after her comment the guy would have dropped the weight in a bad way.
Holger glares at his mother coldly.
“Does it cost you that much to have a minimum of respect for him? His family is always very kind to me”
“The Ruud family likes to keep up appearances”
“I think we are done for today Holger, tomorrow we'll do the usual finishing work before the match” Lapo interjects, saving the situation with a tight smile on his face.
Neither Holger nor Aneke give any hint of having heard him.
“Come to dinner with us in Acapulco and try to be kind, please, it's important to me” Holger's tone seems to have softened but it doesn't have the desired effect on Aneke, who remains impassive.
“I'm not going to come to dinner with you and that Ruud, Holger, forget it”
The Dane's face darkens.
“May I know what the hell your problem is? Casper is…-“
Aneke interrupts him.
“He is not the right person for you”
“What do you know about what's good for me?!”
Alma, Holger's older sister and his guardian angel, places a hand on his shoulder.
The gesture seems to immediately calm the boy and above all it reminds him that they are in the gym together with other tour players, he cannot put on a show there.
“Mom could you make a little try for Holger, Casper is a really good guy”
Holger is sincerely grateful for the support of his sister, who seems to be the only one he can count on in his family given that his father is constantly busy with work in Copenhagen.
“Alma, don't start too, gather your things, tomorrow there's a match to win which seems much more important to me than this nonsense”
Holger grabs the bag and strides off to the exit of the weight room, unable to hold his sister's compassionate gaze or his mother's detached one without feeling the need to scream.
When he gets back to the hotel the first thing he does is wash away his nervousness with a hot shower and once in bed he calls Casper.
"Love! I was waiting for you to call me because I've been looking for my cuffs for half an hour, I'm sure I brought at least one pair here that I wanted to pack in my suitcase, do you have any idea what happened to them?"
Hearing Casper's voice and seeing his relaxed face as he walks around his - or perhaps he can dare to say "their" - apartment in Monte-Carlo immediately improves Holger's mood and, despite his nervousness, he gives him a sweet smile.
"They must have ended up at the bottom of the laundry basket we forgot to empty again"
Casper bursts out laughing and Holger imagines being able to pull him into a hug.
“Yeah, very likely… so, tense for tomorrow?”
“No more than usual”
He will play against Rublev, not the best of opponents on clay, but it is not like Holger to be afraid of a rival.
"Is something wrong?"
"Why?"
Holger is amazed by Casper’s ability to interpret any of his moods even miles away.
“You look like you're pissed off”
“You know me like the back of your hand, hm?”
“Otherwise, what kind of boyfriend would I be?”
The best, he would want to tell him.
“I just argued with my mother”
Casper considers himself lucky to have his father as a coach, who is decidedly less intrusive than Aneke or Apostolos for example.
“Anything to say about practice?”
“Oh no, when Boris is around she's afraid to even open her mouth, you should see her”
Casper, in the FaceTime shot, falls comfortably onto the bed that he now shares with the youngest and Holger has never wanted to be in Monaco so much.
“So what happened?”
“We were talking about you”
"Oh"
Casper's expression becomes more serious.
“I asked her to come to dinner with us in Acapulco”
“I guess she said no”
“It's so fucking frustrating”
The older boy gives him a sincerely desolate look through the cell phone screen that reminds Holger a lot of Alma's.
“Holg I'm sorry, really...”
“You're not the one who should be sorry”
“It's okay baby, we can't force her to like me”
Holger appreciates that Casper manages not to take it personally but he can't help but be pissed.
“You can't think like that Casp, she's just being a bitch because it's about you!” the younger one blurts out, nervously brushing the tuft of hair away from his forehead.
Casper doesn't know exactly what to say.
He agrees, Aneke is a bitch, but he doesn't think it's nice to say something like that to his boyfriend, she's still his mother.
What makes him sad is that he doesn’t feel he’s ever done anything to make Aneke hate him.
He doesn’t want to believe that Holger’s mom is still thinking about the Roland Garros disagreements, it’s been so long... and then Holger had a fair share of the blame!
The youngest sighs, passing a hand over his face.
"Sorry, I’m not mad at you, I’m just frustrated."
Casper gives him a half smile.
"Look now just think about resting and focusing on the game, the rest is less important, okay? You have a great opportunity tomorrow"
"You are no less important" specifies the Dane.
Casper's gaze softens further.
“I know but now I want you to go there and kick Andrey's ass, okay? I love you, that will never change, not even if your mom hates me."
Despite Casper pronounces the last sentence in an amused tone, Holger knows that at least a little bit he was disappointed.
Casper always does everything to make people love him, and his mother’s treatment is unfair.
"You’re amazing Casp, you know that? It doesn’t matter what my mother thinks."
That’s exactly what the older one needs to hear.
After exchanging a few more sweet words in half voice the two wish each other goodnight.
*
Holger eventually lost the semi-final to Andrey after fighting like a lion for three sets, only surrendering at the last tie break.
Casper is many time zones away, just landed in Mexico, and suffered with his boyfriend the entire flight.
He knows Holger will be on edge and he would like to be there to make him feel better.
Casper hopes that his boyfriend's arrival in Acapulco will be quick to finally spend time with him.
They only manage to exchange a few quick messages, partly because their schedules lately don't seem to coincide at all and partly because Holger doesn't really want to talk.
Some say that in tennis you always lose more than you win but this awareness does not help to alleviate the Dane's disappointment.
Casper respects his spaces because has learned that Holger shouldn't be pressured, when he has metabolized things he is able to express them with his usual frankness without anyone taking them out of his mouth.
Casper has never had the fortune of knowing someone so intimately or even making himself known as well, it is a privilege that he reserves only for Holger and which he jealously guards.
When, after almost 48 hours, the Rune team arrives in town Casper is training with his father.
He is not even too surprised that the youngest is waiting for him under the threshold of his hotel room when he returns from an intense session on the court.
“Holg! I would have left you the key, you could have–“
Holger doesn't let him finish, squeezing him in a spasmodic hug in the middle of the corridor.
Casper squeezes back, not caring if anyone can see them.
“I missed you so much” the Dane murmurs, as if he had just started breathing again.
“You too, baby. I'm proud of you, you know? You played very well, you were crazy out there" Casper tells him in a low voice, stroking first his forearms then his blond hair free from the cap.
Holger enjoys the attention without saying anything, happy to be able to smell the mint scent of Casper's aftershave again just an inch from his nose.
His closeness alone alleviates the anger and disappointment he has felt in the last few days.
Neither of them notices Aneke, intent on climbing the stairs, lingering for a moment longer than necessary over them with her blue eyes.
*
It is rare that during a tournament they can indulge in moments of leisure but both Casper and Holger have effortlessly passed the last 16 thanks to a very favorable draw so the Norwegian believes it is the right time to take advantage of a (very dietary) dinner in solitude away from the hotel full of players and their teams.
Holger needs a moment of distraction and to tell the truth he does too, the premature elimination in Rotterdam hurts him more than he allows himself to show.
Sometimes disconnecting from tennis for a couple of hours seems sacrosanct to him.
Casper is ready, wearing a beige shirt with matching trousers, held on by an elegant leather belt with golden details.
If he were not an internationally renowned athlete, Casper could certainly aspire to a career in fashion.
Holger finished his game session with Becker late so to hurry up he went to get ready in his own room.
Casper isn't sure they would have made it out of the hotel if he had been in the same room as a sweaty, breathless post-workout Holger.
“I'm almost ready I swear! I just need to put on my shirt, start coming here!” the youngest exclaims in the voice message he sent him shortly before.
In Holger’s language, “just having to put on the shirt” is equivalent to an additional fifteen minutes of preparation, at least.
The Norwegian is about to lean against the wall opposite the door, waiting, but the aforementioned door is opened a few moments after his arrival and the female version of Holger comes out.
Alma gives him a sincere smile.
“Oh hi Casper! My brother is late as usual I think"
Casper greets her politely with two kisses on her cheeks.
“Nothing I'm not used to”
“It was enough for him to find you here to go back to his usual self, he wasn't in a good mood after Rotterdam” reveals the eldest of the Rune brothers.
“I hope to distract him a bit, we both need it”
Alma nods.
“I'm sure it will be much better here in Acapulco, I'm rooting for both of you!”
Casper smiles at Alma's enthusiasm.
In some respects she and Holger resemble each other but Alma is definitely more exuberant, more open.
What is often mistaken for detachment or even arrogance is simply Holger’s shyness, which Casper fell in love with.
Alma is not shy at all, on the contrary.
“Thank you Alma I really, really appreciate it”
However, the door to Holger's room has not closed behind her and under the threshold there is Aneke watching him.
Casper stiffens slightly, correcting his posture.
“Good evening Aneke” he greets her cordially, hinting at a more composed smile than the one exchanged with Alma.
Holger's mother's gaze is inquiring, as if she were looking for a detail out of place. It's almost natural for Casper to straighten his shirt collar.
“Wait inside, Casper,” Aneke invites him, without bothering to return the greeting. Her tone is cold but polite.
Despite not feeling very comfortable, Casper follows her, doing his best to look casual.
He hears the sound of the hairdryer from the adjacent room, synonymous with the fact that the t-shirt was not the only thing missing for Holger to be ready.
“It's a beautiful evening, isn't it? It's warmer here than in Rotterdam"
Casper tries to break the silence, as Aneke seems intent on not talking and staring at him insistently.
Talking about the weather, such a cliché.
“What did you do to make my son lose his mind, Casper Ruud?” the woman rather asks him, with sincere interest.
Casper’s a little blown away by the question.
Aneke seems skeptical of the authenticity of their relationship and doesn’t bother to hide it.
"Holger is really important to me, Aneke, I would never do anything to make him suffer," replies Casper, with a firm voice.
For a mother that should be the main thing, right? That her son is happy.
"Talking about love at your age, with your lifestyle, is something very risky, don’t you agree?"
Casper feels somehow under scrutiny.
He really wants to make an impression, convince Aneke that his feelings for Holger are sincere and real.
"I’m more than convinced of how I feel about Holger, Aneke"
Before the woman can replicate the bathroom door finally opens and Holger comes out with the breathless look of someone who knows he's late.
“Mom I'm– oh, Casp, you're here”
Holger stops, letting his gaze wander from his mother to his boyfriend.
Casper finally relaxes his shoulders and gives him a smile, admiring the white t-shirt that fits his torso perfectly.
“Your mother invited me to come in” explains the eldest, trying to hide the discomfort he felt until recently.
In any case, Holger senses one of his mother's usual traps in the air and gives her a sideways glance.
"Very kind of you"
Aneke doesn’t seem impressed with her son’s ironic tone.
"We should go to dinner," Casper reminds him, in a soft tone, to relieve the tension.
Holger shakes his head and grabs his denim jacket before heading out.
“Good evening Aneke” greets Casper, like a perfect gentleman, but Holger's mother limits herself to a simple nod.
The Dane closes the bedroom door behind him with a little too much force.
Casper tries to keep up with him but Holger walks at a particularly fast pace.
"Hey calm down fury!"
"It’s so unbearable! She did it on purpose, letting you in just to put you under questioning, I can’t really believe it!"
They cross the hotel lobby almost running, while Holger blurts out angrily.
Casper manages to grab his hand only when they step onto the street, blocking him.
“Holg, everything is fine, nothing happened, please let's not ruin this evening”
The youngest sighs heavily, leaning his forehead against Casper’s.
“Sorry, I know it's a mess being with me and…–”
“I love being with you liten, no more apologies, I just want to spend a nice evening just the two of us without thinking about anything”
Holger nods absently, brushing his lips against Casper's cheek. After all, they are still very close to the hotel.
“And by the way, you're beautiful” the youngest feels compelled to add, casting a long look at the Norwegian who, almost as if he were eleven years old, feels himself blushing under that lustful gaze.
“Let's go before I fuck you against the first available surface”
Holger's eyes widen at those words, and then burst out laughing.
When it comes to him Casper loses all his self-control.
Dinner is nice, no tennis and no parents, just Casper’s stories and Holger’s laughter.
They are in a nice and secluded restaurant that serves vegetarian cuisine, which basically is what they can afford while on tour. Casper explains that Caro recommended the place, but at that moment Holger is so happy that he would also like a local besieged by the paparazzi.
They go back to the hotel hand in hand, not caring that anyone can see them.
Casper is always more attentive than him but only because he is afraid that it will be too much for Holger to face the media pillory that would follow.
The youngest appreciates that Casper wants to protect him but feels invincible next to him.
"Let them talk Casp, I don’t give a shit, I want them all to know you’re mine."
There is a part of the Norwegian that fears that Holger only says those words in the heat of the moment, blinded by his strong feelings, but he can't help the butterflies from flying in his stomach as Holger squeezes his hand tighter.
They spend the next twenty minutes kissing like two kids under the doorframe of Casper’s room, unable to break away to wish each other goodnight and head to their respective rooms.
"Don’t try to fuck before a game Holger or I’ll go straight to Christian and tell him that his son can’t keep it in his pants" - it’s a Boris’ rule, the only person in the world that Holger is truly terrified of contradicting, because he knows that Becker always finds a way to find the truth, and maybe it’s better not to know how.
The Dane returns to his room smiling sly, drunk with happiness, ready to take the court the next day, certain that nothing will spoil his good mood.
*
Holger realizes he has been spectacularly wrong when in the afternoon, while Casper is playing his quarter-final, he begins to feel ill.
How unlucky could he be to get the flu or any other virus he caught during an ATP 500? When he has an important match against Shelton that night, to boot.
Becker immediately notices the boy’s feverish eyes during morning practice but says nothing, because he wants to understand how far Holger can go.
It's a match that could give him the semi-final, Boris is not so hypocritical as to pretend not to know it.
But then in the afternoon Holger starts vomiting, under the apprehensive looks of Alma and his mother.
"We should announce retirement, there’s no point in playing like this"
Aneke tries to reason with his son with poor success.
"I am fine! It's just a little flu, I can play!” he protests, even though his pale skin seems to contradict him.
As he says these words he is sitting on the bathroom floor, his sweaty back resting on the cold tiles, while the two women are standing in front of him with folded arms.
"Holger, you know it’s not a good idea" Alma’s tone is soft, as if she was talking to a child, on other occasions Holger would find it sweet but now it just makes him more nervous.
He's got a big chance, fuck.
Shelton is an opponent within his reach and most importantly... In the semifinal he would meet Casper, who according to the app on his phone has just passed the round with a peremptory 2-0 on Thiem.
He can't not play.
“I said I can do it!” he blurts out, stubborn like a few other times.
A moment later, however, he is attacked by another retch.
Aneke sighs, glancing at her daughter. A silent conversation takes place between the two but they seem to understand each other quickly.
Alma is ready to leave the room, she knows exactly where to go, but Aneke stops her.
"No, you talk to Lapo and Boris, I’ll take care of this."
The girl seems a bit skeptical but in the end she is convinced by her mother’s blue eyes, whose gaze has never been so soft.
*
Casper is surprised when he hears someone knocking at his room door.
He has just come out of the shower, he only has his bathrobe on, and he definitely isn't expecting visitors.
Holger will play in a few hours and Casper doesn't want to disturb his pre-match routine even though he finds it strange that his boyfriend hasn't even sent him a message to congratulate him on the victory.
Finding Aneke in front of him is a surprise and not a particularly welcome one, considering that Casper is not even dressed.
To say he’s embarrassed is an understatement, he’s almost mortified to introduce himself to Holger’s mother like that.
“Aneke! Oh God forgive me, I didn't expect it to be you, I'll quickly put something on"
When he's nervous, the slight stutter with which Casper usually pronounces words becomes much more noticeable.
“Let's leave aside the pleasantries, Casper, I need you to come with me… Holger is not well and I think you are the only one who can make him see reason”
In hearing those words Casper lost approximately 10 years of his life.
He doesn't think he's ever gotten dressed so quickly in his life, shortly after he's already walking briskly down the corridor next to Aneke.
"What’s wrong? He’s sick? Last night when I said goodbye, everything was fine."
Aneke can't help but smile at Casper's apprehension and this reassures him a little, because it means it's nothing serious.
"Probably flu, nothing to worry about, but you know Holger..."
"He wants to play tonight," concludes Casper in her place, shaking his head.
Aneke knows she was right to call him.
*
Holger is still sitting on the bathroom floor when Aneke comes back.
He is almost certain that his mother went to call Boris to convince him not to play and this mere thought makes him feel nauseous again.
He’s already going to repeat once again to his mother that he will play this fucking match when Casper peeks over the threshold, leaving him stunned.
“I can't believe it, you're incredible” he murmurs to his mother.
Casper goes to get close to his boyfriend who tries to stop him.
"No Casp I’m disgusting and I don’t want to attack you whatever I’ve caught"
The older one pretends not to have heard him and crouches down next to Holger, giving him a smile.
Holger sighs and rests his head against the wall, squinting.
"Hey, I’m here, talk to me."
"I’m sorry I didn’t watch the match, I’m sure you were great"
Casper chuckles, incredulous that Holger would think of such a thing at that moment.
"It doesn’t matter Holg, I just want to know how you’re doing"
"Messed up," the other simply replies, in the most sincere tone he has used since that afternoon.
"Did you get a temperature?"
“I only have tenths, I can play Casp, seriously, I just have this damn nausea” complains the youngest, without making any attempt to open his eyes.
“You don't have to prove anything to anyone kjærlighet, you know that you risk getting sick during the match and withdrawing anyway”
Holger hates that Casper is right but hates it even more that he doesn’t really hate him when he talks to him in that soft, loving tone.
Aneke looks at them from under the arch of the door without saying a word.
The youngest wearily runs a hand over his face.
“But we could have finally played against each other” his voice is now more pained, as if the mask of confidence he forced himself to wear was slowly crumbling.
Casper gently caresses his face, despite Holger trying to push him away.
"Casp you have the match tomorrow...!"
"If you had something to attack me you already did last night Holg and above all, I want to play against you an indecent number of finals and semifinals until we retire, Acapulco will not make a difference"
For the first time, Aneke notices the sparkle in the Norwegian's eyes as he addresses those words to her son.
Holger feels so damn lucky to have Casper by his side.
"I really want to kiss you right now, but I don’t think it’s the case," the little one slurries, caressing the hand that isn't busy stroking his hair.
Holger finally turns to his mother, he had almost forgotten her presence.
“Maybe we should call Boris…” he finally gives up.
Aneke gives him a motherly smile.
"Alma has already thought about it, I expected that the gentleman here would make you change your mind "
Wow, what a conspiracy.
He would like to investigate more about this truce sanctioned by his mother but nausea prevents him.
Holger takes a deep breath, trying to escape Casper’s touch, but he quickly understands.
The older one holds his head while he vomits, pulling his hair back gently.
*
The doctor of the federation gives the green light to Holger to take something that does not interfere with the usual anti-doping controls and Casper waits for the boy to fall asleep, caressing his face and whispering sweet nothings in his ear.
Apparently Shelton will be his opponent in the semifinals and Casper hopes to get justice to Holger by winning.
When Holger has fallen asleep Casper reluctantly prepares to return to his room, he knows he must rest before the game but the thought of not being able to spend the night next to Holger in case he feels sick weighs on his chest.
When Casper re-emerges from the bedroom Aneke, sitting on one of the armchairs with the cell phone in her hands, looks up at him and even gives him a smile.
Casper tries to reciprocate without appearing too disconcerted.
“Thank you for calling me Aneke, I will leave the ringtone on my cell phone, Alma has my number”
Aneke nods.
“Thanks to you Casper… I think I started off on the wrong foot”
At those words Casper feels incredibly relieved and finally relaxes his shoulders.
When Aneke’s around, he always feels stiff as a lead soldier.
"Holger is the most important thing for me Aneke, I mean it," reiterates the Norwegian.
The woman gets up from the armchair and affectionately squeezes his arm.
“My son is lucky to have found a person like you”
His cheeks turn a little red, grateful for the compliment.
"Thank you for changing your mind about me"
If Aneke is surprised by his words, she doesn’t let it show, simply accompanying him politely to the door.
"I hope we can catch up on that dinner sooner or later," Casper dares before wishing her goodnight.
Aneke nods, with a half smile that reminds Casper of Holger.
"Very willingly, Casper, very willingly"
*
Playing against Shelton is tough.
Casper emerges from a 7-5 win by tooth and nail but in the second set he feels the match slipping out of his hands.
Ben is on every ball, runs like hell, and his serve is uncatchable.
Casper is sitting on the bench, at 5-4, after having just suffered what will probably be the decisive break to take the match to the third set.
He is out of breath and drinks absentmindedly from his water bottle, thinking of something desperate he could try.
These are the matches suited to Holger.
Who knows how he feels, maybe Casper should have gone and checked in person instead of sending a message or...
No, concentration Casper, concentration.
He turns to his box, to ask tacitly his father what strategy he can try not to get a 40-0 on Shelton’s service that would close the set.
And there, sitting shoulder to shoulder next to Christian, is Holger.
Casper blinks twice, just in case he’s imagining everything.
Yet the smile that Holger gives him when he notices his gaze is unequivocal and Casper is ready to melt right there, under the sun of Acapulco.
Probably all the cameras are focused on the blond guy but he seems calm, his eyes are a little tired and his skin is slightly paler than usual, evidence of his less than perfect state of shape.
“What the hell I have to do?”
Casper seems to ask him, silently.
"C'mon, you got this" recites Holger’s lip, without the slightest uncertainty.
Casper seems almost reinvigorated by his presence and snaps up like a spring to return to the court.
Shelton, who must have noticed Holger’s presence, seems a little confused but gives him an encouraging smile as he gestures that he is about to serve. Casper nods from behind the line.
Almost as if his body moved on its own, automatically, Casper fights for every ball, responding down the line and wrong-footing Ben.
He brings the match to a draw once again: 5-5, counterbreak.
Holger clenches his fists in celebration, his body leaning forward, as if he is ready to jump to his feet.
Christian gives him an amused look.
“You should have come earlier, boy,” he jokes, giving him an affectionate pat on the shoulder.
Holger is tense as a violin string, when he is playing he knows he has everything under his control but suffering for the game of someone he cares about is another kind of suffering.
“Is it always this terrible to watch one of his matches?” asks the Dane, unable to stay still in his place for more than two minutes.
Christian half-smiles.
“You should see him while he watches yours”
Casper is now serving, he is ready with the racket in his hands while Ben eats an energy bar.
He lets his gaze dance towards the box again to immediately find Holger's blue eyes.
I really want to kiss you right now.
The boy almost seems to read his mind and gives him a shy smile, with his cheeks slightly painted red.
In the end Casper wins and Holger can’t help but stand up and clap with everyone else, a smile as bright as the one he gets when he wins a match himself.
Casper shakes hands with Ben, who congratulates him, and with the referee but it's like he isn't present to himself.
He continues to look for Holger and as he approaches his box he feels the legs shaking both from the effort and from the emotion.
Holger remains where he is, quiet and careless of the looks directed at them, indeed continues to smile.
For once, Casper is the most anxious, terrified by the idea that Holger might realize the situation they're in and run away.
His heart beats so loudly that it almost rings in his ears.
“Hi beautiful finalist” the youngest greets him, with a tone that is meant to be mocking but in fact comes off as incredibly tender.
“How do you feel? Have you taken your vitamins?” is the first meaningful sentence that Casper manages to formulate.
Holger lets out an incredulous laugh... or maybe he was his father, it’s difficult to say in the usual chaos that precedes interviews.
“Casp you seem upset” jokes the youngest, who hopes with all his heart that he hasn't just made a huge mistake by showing up there.
Maybe Casper wasn't ready for all this.
But it was the least Holger could do after all the times Casp took care of him.
“Do I look upset? I'm just... I'm really happy and I don't think I'm understanding anything right now but I would really like to hug you."
Holger's shy smile widens, relieved.
“Well what are you waiting for?”
The big screen in the central court shows Holger and Casper locked in each other's arms but both of them are too happy to care about what people think.