Chapter Text
Casper’s POV Monaco, two weeks before the Oktoberfest
“What are your plans for after the Laver Cup?”
Casper blinks a few times against the bright sun, not expecting to be addressed by Holger out of the blue. They are in Monaco, both licking their wounds after their early exits from the US Open. Casper is getting ready for the Davis Cup, while the Dane is preparing for the Zhuhai Championships. Currently, they are just lounging on Holger’s balcony, and Casper, in a state of near-sleep, isn't processing things as quickly as usual. The earlier training session was fast paced and tiring.
“Casper?” Holger sounds a bit impatient; he hates it when he’s not getting the attention he wants.
“Eh, sorry, say that again?” The Norwegian blinks a few times and tries to focus on his boyfriend. But it's hard, the last months really drained him and he just wants to get some rest and well deserved sleep.
Holger rolls his eyes and mutters something in Danish that sounds really close to gammel fis—he’s not old, so Casper doubts that’s directed at him.
“Your plans after the Laver Cup. Are you going directly to Tokyo?”
“I mean, not directly, no. I’ll probably have a bye in the first round, so I don’t need to play before Friday. Being there by Tuesday for some practice should be early enough. Why?”
“I just got an invite from Nike. They’re going to have a table for all their tennis athletes at Oktoberfest in Munich. And we’re allowed to bring a...”
“No,” Casper interrupts before Holger can finish. “We’re not going to a folk festival in the middle of the season. What even is Nike thinking? Also you are already in China until at least Sunday. Flying forth and back would kill your body rhythm and sleep schedule and is bad for the environment” why is it always Casper who has to be the voice of reason for everything.
“A lot of athletes do this.” Holger is pouting now, tossing his head back against the chair. “Honestly a lot of famous sports personas do this stuff. Football players go all the time. And they are just fine to play matches the same week. It’s just one night! Come on, don’t be boring.”
Casper shakes his head. They’ve had this argument before, in different forms. It is not him being a lame boyfriend or being old for his age, it's about being responsible and mindful about life. They definitely have different definitions of the word fun. Going out for dinner with their families is fun. Playing with his sister’s dog is fun. Golf is fun. Even tennis training, most of the time, is enjoyable. But Oktoberfest? A packed festival, full of drunk people in costumes? Most of them guilty of cultural appropriation by wearing a Tracht that isn't theirs, is not fun. It’s stupid. That’s not fun. That’s chaos.
“It’s not about being boring,” Casper says, trying to stay calm. “I just don’t see the point. It’s loud, crowded, and full of drunk people. I’d rather spend my day off doing something relaxing.”
“Relaxing?” Holger sits up, giving Casper an exaggerated, disbelieving look. “We’re in our 20s, Casper! The Oktoberfest is iconic.”
Holger really wants this and his excitement would be kinda cute if it would not be for such an annoying reason. He’s always been the more spontaneous one, driven by a desire for excitement, especially in ways that Casper doesn’t always understand. Holger thrives on chaos, whether on the court or in social situations, while Casper prefers order and control. It’s part of why they balance each other so well—on most days, anyway.
“You’re seriously going to say no to this? Oktoberfest? Beer, music, pretzels... me in Lederhosen ?” Holger tilts his head, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Think about it, Casper. I’ll be irresistible.”
“You’re already irresistible,” Casper mutters, rubbing his temple. He is getting a headache because of this argument and his interrupted nap, so maybe he should just give in.“That’s not the point.”
“Then what is? We’ll be there for just one night. What’s the harm in that?”
Casper sighs, looking out over the ocean, trying to gather his thoughts. Holger has a way of chipping away at his resistance without even realizing it. He knows, deep down, that he’s already losing this argument. One night won’t derail his season—but the thought of stepping into that madness is what unnerves him. It is an stupid idea, total madness and he really is wondering who came up with this idea. The calendar already is all over the place and getting from the Laver Cup to the Asian leg of the tour is a hussle on its own even without adding a distruction like this to it. And he is tired for weeks now. His bad run during the American leg was mostly driven by him being exhausted. He played more matches in the first half of the season than 95% of the other players.
Holger stands up and stretches, walking over to Casper with an exaggerated sway in his hips. This is his method of trying to lull the norwegian in, he knows his boyfriend well enough and should be able to resist. But he also is just a man. The Dane lowers himself onto Casper’s lap, looping his arms around his neck, their faces close enough that Casper can’t ignore the playful smirk on his lips.
“Come on, babe. Or do you want me to go alone? Think about it—me in really short leather pants, beer, a lot of sexy men. I can have fun without you.”
Now it is Casper who rolls his eyes. He’s not the jealous type, but the thought of Holger at Oktoberfest alone isn’t exactly appealing either.Thi This is turning into a play and normally he would not give in. He is too competitive for that. Especially against Holger, he doesn't like to loose and he's the person that always motivates him the most to get even better and to try to do everything necessary for achieving the win.
“You’re such a brat,” Casper mutters, though there’s no real frustration behind it. Both of them know quite well that this time Holger wins.
Holger smirks. “It’s brat summer,” he says with a wink, then leans in to press a soft kiss to Casper’s lips. “You know you want to come with me. Admit it.”
Casper sighs again, feeling the last of his resistance slip away. He can’t really say no to Holger, not when he’s like this—playful, teasing, full of life. It’s one of the things he loves most about him. Holger pulls back slightly, waiting for the final answer. He doesn't want to give in but his resistance has its limits and he is still so tired.
“Fine,” Casper says reluctantly. “But we’re not staying long. Just one night, and then we’re out.”
Holger’s face lights up in victory. “Deal!” he says quickly, before Casper can change his mind. He plants another kiss on Casper’s lips, longer this time, sealing the agreement.
“You’ll look amazing in a Tracht,” Holger adds, grinning. “I can already picture it.”
“One more word about that, and I’m putting you in a Dirndl ,” Casper threatens, though there’s a hint of a smile on his face.
“Kinky,” Holger says, laughing. “I might actually like that. I’ve got the legs for it, you know.”
Casper shakes his head, chuckling despite himself. “Remind me why I’m in love with you again?”
“Oh, I can show you,” Holger says with a mischievous glint in his eye, pulling Casper into another kiss, this one deeper and more intense.
Casper knows there’s no point in fighting it anymore. Holger always gets his way, not without a fight his own pride is too big for that. And, if he’s absolutely honest with himself in this case, he doesn’t really mind. Life with Holger might be unpredictable, but it’s never boring.
_____
Janniks POC: Monaco, Monday a week before the Oktoberfest
Jannik is just getting back home from his early morning session on one of the private courts near his Monaco apartment. After a few days at home in Innichen and then at the Davis Cup, Simone thought it was time to start preparing again for the Asian tour and his run for the title in Turin. So they started early with a run, then a proper mobility workout in the gym and then hit the court. Just as Jannik is about to grab a post-practice smoothie, his phone buzzes. It’s Carlos, who is currently en route to Berlin for the Laver Cup. But before he can go there, he has a more pressing issue to tackle.
The younger one still has to find an outfit for the Oktoberfest since he didn't organize that on time. Also unlike Jannik he doesn't own some Lederhosen already and has Gucci designing a whole outfit around them. The event is already next week so time is short. And Munich is too far from Berlin to just visit beforehand so Jannik gave him the address of a place close to Halle that has the biggest collection of Trachten in the north of Germany. He only knows about it because his mother dragged him there the first time they have been to Halle when he played the tournament there.
“Ciao, babe. Didn’t expect to hear from you already,” Jannik answers, a smile tugging at his lips.
The screen lights up with Carlos' face, he is beaming that signature, broad grin of his. There’s warmth in his brown eyes, enough to make Jannik’s chest feel light—and his knees a bit weak, though he’ll never admit that. It hasn’t been long since they saw each other in New York, but they hadn’t spent nearly enough time together, especially since Carlos had left the tournament early. Jannik had stayed on longer winning yet another Grand Slam but also, making their time together feel far too brief.
“Jan! Holla.. You look good!”
After greeting him back so happily the Spaniard suddenly looks a little more disheveled than usual, his normal confident aura replaced by something that almost seems... frantic?
“You okay? You look... not yourself,” Jannik asks, a bit worried, taking a seat on his couch.
Carlos sighs dramatically, flipping the camera to show his surroundings. “Look at this madness. Madness, Jan! I nearly didn’t find the entrance, and it’s massive. There are houses inside the building. Like, actual houses. Like those old ones from fairy tales.”
Jannik chuckles. “Yeah, it’s called Fachwerk, ” he explains, recognizing the old wooden structures from the time his mom had dragged him there. “I told you, it’s a bit... unique.”
Carlos pans the camera back to his face, eyes wide with frustration. “Unique? It’s like a whole village in here! I thought I was walking into a shop, not a... theme park. There actually is one right outside of this, there were so many kids on slides and these climbing things, it looked fun.”
Jannik can’t help but laugh now, Carlos’ confusion mixed with his wild hand gestures making it even funnier. “Well, you asked for authenticity, didn’t you?”
Carlos grumbles, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, well, maybe I wasn’t ready for this level of authenticity. And to make it worse, I haven’t found a thing. There are too many options. Jan, I’m drowning in leather pants and vests here.”
The Italian’s laughter echoes through the living room. “Wait, wait, hold on. Are you saying you need me to help you pick out clothes? Mr. Fashion himself?”
Carlos huffs and looks away from the camera in mock offense. “I didn’t say that. I just—ugh, fine , yes. I need help. This place is overwhelming. I don’t even know where to start.”
Jannik’s grin only grows wider. “You’re asking me for fashion advice? Please, take a moment and remember this the next time you make fun of me for wearing white trainers with everything and just choosing the first shirt and shorts that I can get my hands on. Or when I try to stop you from getting another one of those... unfortunate haircuts.”
Carlos points a finger at the screen, his expression serious. “Shut it, or I’m calling Jack instead.”
“Oh, sure, call him. He’s at Fashion Week right now. You’ll never hear the end of it if you drag him into this.” Jannik knows that while Jack might be more qualified, the last thing Carlos needs is his endless commentary about “proper style.”
Carlos groans. “Jan, this isn’t funny. I’m in over my head here, and I’ve only got a few hours before I need to be in Berlin. I need your help, seriously.”
Hearing the genuine stress in Carlos’ voice, Jannik softens. He knows Carlos has a habit of waiting until the last minute—always confident he can just handle it—but it’s clear this situation is testing his time management skills on another level. Will he learn from this though? Definitely not.
“Alright, alright. I got you. Don’t panic, caro. First things first: you need a shop assistant. They’ll know exactly what you need.” he tries to keep his voice calm and supportive, knowing that his boyfriend really is stressed out at the moment and that he is the one who needs to guide him through this now. Jannik always is the more collected half of them, the thinker and the one who always has a plan.
“But they’re German! How am I supposed to talk to them?”
Jannik pauses, fighting back another laugh. “Carlos, you’re talking to me right now in a language neither of us grew up speaking. You’ve mastered English, and you’ve picked up more Italian than I expected. You’ll manage a little German. Besides, I’ll translate if you need it.”
Carlos bites his lip, a sheepish grin forming. “Okay, okay. You’re right. Yo solo es.. just... stressed. I don’t want to mess this up, no.” As usual his accent gets a lot thicker when he is like this, but Jannik is used to this after years of spending time on and off the court and he also loves the cute spanish he's mixing in his words all the time.
“I get it, Carlos. But trust me, you’re going to look incredible no matter what. Now, go find someone to help you.”
There’s a pause as Carlos reluctantly moves off-screen, wandering through the maze of traditional German clothing. Finally, he finds a shop assistant—a middle-aged woman who seems unfazed by the flustered Spaniard in front of her.
“She doesn’t recognize me. That’s good, si?” Carlos whispers to the camera, relief evident in his voice. So close to Halle and in an area that definitely is into Tennis with many clubs around and also not far from the Tennis Point HQs this actually could have been a risk. Jannik did not really think of this being an issue before, even as the current number one of the world and after years on tour he still is not used to being famous and sometimes forgets that people actually know and recognise him.
"Perfect. Now tell her you’re looking for a Tracht —you know, the full Oktoberfest outfit. If she asks anything else, I’ll help.”
After a brief conversation, in which Jannik steps in here and there to explain Carlos’ measurements and preferences, the shop assistant disappears into the sea of clothing racks. When she returns, her arms are overflowing with leather pants, shirts, and vests. Jannik can practically hear Carlos’ eyes widening through the screen.
“That’s... a lot of leather,” Carlos mumbles.
Jannik smirks. “Welcome to Oktoberfest core,Charlie . Now, go try it on. Let’s see what we’re working with.”
As Carlos disappears into the changing room, Jannik leans back on his living room sofa, waiting for Carlos to try on the first pair of leather pants. From his own experience, he knows how tricky it can be to find the right-fitting Tracht. It's not just about the look—it's the feel, the cut, and of course, making sure you don’t look like a tourist. And his instinct is right, the first time Carlos comes back into his view it is really hard for him to not start laughing. It is not bad bad, but the Spaniard looks so not like him in the blue checkered shirt, the light brown leather pants and a gray felt hat.
“How bad is it?” The younger one knows him well enough to decipher his basically non existent reaction and the hold back laugher to know that this outfit is not it.
“It could be worse, the quality looks nice, but this is not doing anything for you” oh my he sounds like Guido Maria Kretschmer, maybe he is a fashion icon after all. Someone give him his own show. He is for some reason enjoying this far more than he expected. Okay that's probably just because he enjoys everything that revolves around Carlos. No that's not true, not everything, he definitely does not enjoy losing important matches against him.
“But just tell the lady what you do not like about this one and then try the next one, it will be better I am sure of it.” He tries to sound positive and really is sure that the next one is better. So Carlos is following his advice, takes a look at the rest of his choices and takes the next pair of leather pants, and other pieces of clothing before he returns to the cabin.
After a few minutes, Carlos reappears on screen, dressed in dark brown leather pants with a crisp white shirt and a simple, elegant black vest. It is not really traditional but it is elegant and sexy.
Jannik’s breath catches for a second. “Okay. Wow. You look... incredible.” The lady who helps him clearly knows what she is doing after all.
Carlos spins, the leather creaking as he moves, flashing that cheeky grin again. “Think I can pull this off?” his voice still is sounding a bit unsure and not as confident as usual.
“You can pull off anything. . But yeah, this... this looks great. Now, add the shoes and hat, and you’ll be ready for Oktoberfest." He reassures his boyfriend and gives him an honest smile.
Carlos lets out a relieved sigh. “I owe you. Big time.”
“I’ll cash that in later,” Jannik teases. “Now, get moving before you’re late for Berlin. And don’t forget to send me pictures especially from the Gala, you know I cannot say no to you in a suit. I want to see what I am missing out on.”
Carlos chuckles, nodding. “Deal, but your own fault for not joining in on the fun. Love you, Jan.”
“Love you too..Now go, we will talk tonight.”
With one last smile, the call ends, leaving Jannik feeling lighter and still grinning like an idiot in his apartment.
Jannik checks the time and realizes it’s taken them a good half hour to sort out Carlos’ outfit dilemma. He still needs to shower, change, and prepare a light lunch before heading out to meet with Oscar. The F1 driver had recently moved to Monaco, and they had quickly become friends after meeting a few months ago. Oscar, fresh off his win in Baku, had invited Jannik to hang out and “celebrate” together, since it was a rare occasion for both of them to be in the city at the same time.
Apparently, Oscar’s idea of celebrating involved getting beaten to hell on the tennis court by the world No. 1. Jannik couldn’t help but shake his head at his friend’s unwavering optimism. For some reason, Oscar still believes he has a shot at taking a set off him, just because he happens to be decent at paddle tennis.
“ Decent at paddle,” Jannik mutters to himself with a smirk. "It’s not even a real sport."
Oscar had made the comparison once during dinner, proudly boasting about how he’d beaten his teammate in a few matches. Jannik had just nodded politely at the time, not wanting to burst his bubble. But deep down, he knew this wouldn’t end well for Oscar if he actually thought paddle skills would transfer to their upcoming tennis match.
As Jannik heads to the shower, he imagines how today’s session will play out. Oscar’s enthusiasm is infectious, a wild contrast to the normally shy and collected emotions the other athlete reacts in and Jannik enjoys the energy the Australian brings to their hangouts, even if the guy tends to overestimate his abilities. But Oscar is a competitive spirit—typical for someone who spends most of his time behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car—and that’s part of what makes their friendship so fun. Still, Jannik knows it’s going to be hard to resist teasing him a little on the court.
He throws on a fresh shirt and makes himself a quick lunch: a salad with some grilled chicken, nothing too heavy since he doesn’t want to feel sluggish later. As he eats, he glances at his phone, scrolling through a few messages. There’s a photo from Carlos—fully decked out in his new Oktoberfest outfit, Jannik chuckles, shaking his head. He looks ridiculous… but good ridiculous.
He taps out a quick reply: You’re lucky you can pull that off. Can't wait for next Monday to see the real deal.
With Carlos sorted and his meal finished, Jannik grabs his tennis gear and heads out to meet Oscar at the club.
_____
Casper’s POV: Laver Cup Berlin, Thursday five days until the Oktoberfest
After their afternoon training session, Team Europe heads back to the locker room, everyone is getting ready to wind down being exhausted but in good spirits. The day has been long with rallies, drills, fine-tuning tactics, getting a feeling for the black court.Some Media activities before that. Casper feels that familiar ache in his muscles, the kind that comes after a productive session. He’s looking forward to some downtime before the evening gala, even though those kinds of events aren’t really his things he is still looking forward to this specific one, it's always special and a lot of fun.
In the locker room, everyone is chatting around and it's a bit much at once, so Casper just takes the role of silent observer. Daniil and Grigor are still debating strategy for the upcoming matches, both trying to keep things light but Grigor is already kinda taking Thomas' place as Co Captain, trying to coach all of them at once, pointing out things they can improve on. Stefanos has already put on his headphones, zoning out in his own world, his phone in his hand, probably already thinking about the next meaningful tweet to post and trying to not get too close to Daniil. Meanwhile Flavio Cobolli is wide-eyed, looking from one to another still adjusting to the enormity of an event like this. For him, it’s all new, the pressure, the cameras, the constant buzz. He is talking kinda to himself trying to find the right words in english to express his thoughts. It's a bit adorable. And seeing the younger boy makes him miss Holger a bit.
But it’s Carlos that catches Casper’s eye. He’s off to the side, deep in conversation with Roger Federer, who’s here as a representative and founder of the event. Since Rafa pulled out of the event last week, Carlos has been a bit quieter, missing the presence of his idol and mentor. It’s no secret how much Rafael Nadal means to Carlos, and seeing him withdraw hit harder than he’d let on. Roger stepped in, taking the part his partner normally would fill out, and the two seem to be getting along well, their conversation animated and full of warmth.
Casper watches them for a moment before heading back to his hotel room. It’s a bit strange to see Carlos so eager to seek advice from Roger. Usually, it’s Rafa who’s glued to his side during these big events. It used to be the same for the Norwegian when he entered the tour and Rafa was always there for him. It just came naturally to them after he had been his sparring partner and went to his academy for years.And before him there had been Domi. But now, with Roger here, Carlos is doing his best to soak up as much wisdom as he can. Casper smiles to himself; Carlos is in good hands this week. So he gets changed in peace and packs his stuff back in his bag. He gives the rest of his team a quick wave to say his goodbye and then leaves looking forward to having some proper down time.
Once inside his room, Casper collapses onto the bed, enjoying the quiet solitude. It’s a stark contrast to the buzz of the locker room and the whole energy of the Laver Cup.. He kicks off his shoes, stretches out on the soft mattress, and grabs his phone. There are a few notifications, mostly social media tags and texts, but one message immediately catches his attention—Jannik.
Jannik: "Saw the pics of Carlitos and Roger. They are getting along quite well, huh :)"
Casper smiles at the message, but he can sense a hint of something more behind the words. Jannik’s always been a little sensitive when it comes to Roger, seeing him as a father figure but never quite getting the same close relationship as some of the other guys. It is far from his or Carlos' relationship with Carlos. It’s not like the boy from South Tyrol is jealous, not exactly, but it is something close.
Casper: "Yeah. Carlos has been hanging with Roger a lot, getting tips making up for Rafa not being here. Also without Juanki and you he feels a bit lost and just is looking for someone to lean on. You know how he is, he needs someone to calm him down sometimes "
He sends the message and props himself up on the bed, thinking about Jannik. He knows how much Jannik wants to build a deeper connection with Roger. It’s not that Roger doesn’t like him—far from it—but some bonds just take longer to form. Casper understands that all too well. Early in his career, he often felt like an outsider, trying to break into a circle that already seemed established.And he was the only one from his country, even the only Scandinavian back then, making it even more difficult.
His phone buzzes again.
Jannik: " But Roger? You are there as well.. Must be nice to have Rogers full attention. Could not be me 😅"
There’s an unmistakable edge in Jannik’s words. He knows Jannik, and this kind of thing usually doesn’t bother him that much. Being self destructive like this is not the italians style. But seeing Carlos so effortlessly connect with someone Jannik admires deeply, clearly stings a bit.
Casper: "Yeah, I get it. But Roger likes you too, man. You’ve just got to give it time and there will be a chance for you to get to know him better as well."
Casper sighs, putting the phone down for a moment. He gets up and grabs a bottle of water from the minibar, taking a long drink as he looks at his reflection in the mirror. His hair’s still a bit messy from practice, but he’s not in a rush to fix it just yet. There’s still time before the gala.
As he’s about to set the bottle down, his phone lights up again.
Jannik: "Yeah I know and I do get it. But sometimes it feels like I’m on the outside looking in when it comes to Roger. Everyone else seems to get his attention so easily. You’re close to everyone. So you probably don’t feel that, but you know"
Casper pauses before typing back. He knows exactly how Jannik feels, but it’s not always as easy as it looks from the outside. And it's not about being liked by everyone, that is nice but not the key to everything, there are still these daily struggles.
Casper: "Trust me, I’ve felt like that before too. It just takes time. You’ve already got your own relationship with Roger, even if it doesn’t feel the same as everyone else’s. You belong here, Jan. You will see Roger will also be there for you when you need him."
He sends the message and lays back on the bed again. His eyes wander to the ceiling as he thinks about the journey they’ve all been on. The tennis world is full of these complex dynamics—friendships, rivalries, mentorships. And sometimes, they don’t always play out the way you expect.
The phone buzzes again, pulling him from his thoughts.
Jannik: "Thanks, Casp. I needed to hear that. I guess I’ll stop obsessing over pictures from social media for a bit."
Casper is glad that the conversation seems to be helping his friend. . He knows how easy it is to get caught up in the image of things—how everything can look perfect on social media, even when real life feels messier. That's why both he and Jannik normally stay away from it, relying on their teams taking care of everything. And it's enough that their boyfriends are online constantly.
Casper: "Good idea. And don’t worry about Carlos. He’ll be all over you again after the Cup. You know how he gets."
A pause, and then Jannik sends a thumbs-up emoji, followed by a quick reply.
Jannik: "Fine, I’ll survive until then. Only a few more days. Enjoy the gala and the matches. And don’t let Carlos steal all of Roger’s advice!"
Casper: "I’ll try to save some for myself. You know how I always try to improve, I need to catch up on you youngsters somehow."
Casper grins, feeling a bit more relaxed now that Jannik’s mood seems to have lifted. He glances at the clock—he’s got just enough time to get ready for the gala. Taking a final stretch, Casper stands up and heads toward the bathroom, to take a quick shower. At least his suit already was prepared and he just prays that this year nobody switched the dress shirts. That joke gets old quite fast.
_____
Caspers POV: Munich, Monday morning of the Oktoberfest
It’s early morning when Casper arrives at the Munich train station with Carlos and Roger. The trio decided the high-speed train connecting from Berlin to Munich is the best way to get there. With their packed schedule, it makes the most sense. Well, at least for Carlos it does. Casper and Roger don’t really have any obligations here. People are already going to wonder why they’ve shown up in the first place, but they’ve agreed to make it look like an extended after-party from the Laver Cup. Team Europe celebrated, alongside other top European players, most of whom didn’t even help win the Cup back.
As they make their way out of the station, Carlos stretches his arms over his head, beaming with energy. “I still can’t believe we’re doing this! Oktoberfest, can you imagine?” His excitement is contagious, but Casper can only manage a tired smile.
“I don’t know how you’re so awake,” Casper mutters, rubbing his eyes. “I’m barely functioning right now.”
“I’m not,” Carlos replies, grinning. “I’m tired too, but this is going to be fun! Oktoberfest, beer, pretzels… and Jannik.”
“Ah, so that’s why you’re excited,” Casper teases, side-eyeing him. “It’s not the festival. It’s the reunion.”
Carlos shrugs, unable to hide his grin. “Maybe. It’s been nearly three weeks. Also, are you not looking forward to seeing Holger? Or were you just glad to be apart from his antics for a bit?” Carlos is not wrong, he is looking forward to seeing his boyfriend again, they were writing in between but the time difference mixed with their different tournaments made it difficult to really catch up properly but then they are used to being at different places a lot.
Roger, walking slightly ahead, overhears them and turns around, his eyes twinkling. “You’ll see, Casper. This isn’t going to be as bad as you think. Just relax. And if it gets out of hand, Rafa and I will be on ‘kid duty,’ so you don’t have to worry.”
“I’m not a kid!” Carlos protests, though there’s no real bite in his words. He enjoys the playful attention from Roger and Rafa far too much. “Also I don't know what you mean, there's nothing going to be out of hand”
Casper sighs, shaking his head. “Yeah, right. You, Holger, Jack, alcohol… That sounds like a catastrophe waiting to happen.”
Roger laughs. “Don’t be so pessimistic. We’ll make sure everything stays under control. Right, Carlos?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Carlos waves him off with a grin. “We’ll be fine. Besides, Rafa’s got my back- he is the fun dad” he laughs and Roger just shakes his head.
Casper, still being unconvinced, simply hopes Roger and Rafa can keep some semblance of order. The thought of babysitting an excited Carlos, an unpredictable Holger, and Jack with a beer in hand makes his head spin.
As they pile into a Taxi, stuffing all their luggage into the small trunk proves more challenging than expected. “Watch it, my tennis rackets are in there,” Casper says, trying to balance his gear precariously.
“Your tennis gear?” Carlos raises an eyebrow. “You think you’re going to need that at Oktoberfest?”
“No, but I need it tomorrow when we head to Japan,” Casper reminds him. Pointing on Carlos' bag he apparently forgot that it was there. The night truly has been too short for all of them,“Same as you.”
Carlos lets out a dramatic sigh. “Right. The Asian swing. We’ll be dead on our feet by then.”
“You’ll be dead by the end of today,” Casper mutters under his breath, already exhausted at the thought of it. None of them got much sleep. Carlos was the only one who was at least a bit reasonable going straight to the hotel after they celebrated at the Arena. The rest still went out to the city and some party.
Once they’re on the road, Casper leans back in his seat, eyes half-closed. “I should’ve stuck to my first answer when Holger asked me to come.”
Roger gives him a sympathetic glance from the front. “Oh come on, Casper. Think of it this way: after all the serious tennis, this is your chance to unwind. It’s going to be fun. When I learned one thing in all the years on tour, then it is all about balance and living in the moment.”
Casper groans softly. “Fun for you, maybe. You’re not the one who had to wake up at 3:30 after getting barely any sleep.” Roger did not join the celebrations at all, leven it to the athletes to do this and instead had an early night and properly a phone call with his husband.
Carlos pipes in from the back. “Well, you shouldn’t have gone so hard at the after-party, man. That champagne really took you out”
“Easy for you to say,” Casper replies, squinting at Carlos. “You didn’t even look tired this morning.”
Carlos grins widely. “That’s because I’m a machine.”
Casper rolls his eyes. “Yeah, well, your ‘machine’ is going to break down after a few steins of beer.”
Roger chuckles. “Relax, Casper. You’ve got me and Rafa watching over the chaos. You really have nothing to worry about”
Casper just shakes his head. “Right, because that gives me peace of mind…”
When they finally arrive at the hotel, the rest of the group is already waiting in the lobby. Holger is sprawled across one of the sofas, cap hanging off his head, completely passed out. His peaceful face makes Casper smile slightly. He can’t help but feel a little smug—he’d warned Holger that his crazy plan of playing in China and then flying straight to Germany would backfire. And here is the proof, snoring away on the couch.
“Should we wake him?” Carlos asks, glancing at Holger.
Casper smirks. “No, let him sleep. This is his own doing, but he will need a few extra minutes of sleep with the change of time zones.”
Roger has other plans and walks straight over to the sofa and nudges Holger’s leg lightly. “Rise and shine, kiddo. You’ve got some Oktoberfest to attend.”
Holger groans and rolls over, pulling his cap further over his face. “Go away…”
Casper crosses his arms, looking down at his boyfriend. He does not really feel bad for him “Come on, you were the one desperate to do this. Now get up so we can get to our room, then take a shower, and maybe you’ll feel like a human again.”
Holger mumbles into the couch cushion, “Not admitting you were right.”
“You don’t have to. I already know I was,” Casper grins. “Now move it.”
Holger reluctantly sits up, rubbing his eyes, his hair sticking out in all directions. “I’m moving, I’m moving…”
Meanwhile, Andy and Jack are having their usual banter off to the side. Andy already looks done with his fellow countryman. Jack frowns at the room assignments. “I thought with Andy being retired, I’d never have to share with him again. I’m still traumatized from the Davis Cup last year.” he complains like this was not obvious to happen from the beginning.
Andy, always quick with a comeback, shoots him a deadpan look. “Traumatized? You were the one who kept me up with all your late-night video game sessions. And don't get me started on all the drunk sinning”
The group laughs, used to their father-son dynamic by now, and Casper uses the moment to snatch their room key from the table next to Andy and then steers Holger toward the elevator. “Come on, before you collapse again.”
Holger grumbles, but follows, dragging his bag behind him. “I’m going to regret this.”
“You already do,” Casper says, amused. They could have prevented this. But now it was too late. And maybe everyone is right and this is actually going to be a nice experience. Sometimes you have to be open to new things. But that will be going to be difficult if his boyfriend stays half asleep.
Roger and Rafa join them at the elevator. “Don’t worry,” Roger says as they wait for the doors to open. “Get him some coffee and make sure he has a cold shower and he will be as good as new. He is young, his body still recovers fast. And then the fun can begin.”
“Fun,” Casper repeats dryly. “We’ll see about that.”
As the elevator dings and the doors open, Casper feels a body lean against him. Holger has finally given in to his exhaustion, slumping against Casper for support. With a soft sigh, Casper lets him rest his head on his shoulder, making sure their luggage is all there as well without disturbing him too much, he has already resigned to being the responsible one. Its nothing new.
Just before the doors close, Roger turns to Casper with a knowing grin. “11 a.m. in the lobby, right? The cars will take us to the venue.”
“Yeah,” Casper replies. “But don’t be surprised if half of them don’t make it down on time.”
Roger winks. “I have faith in them. Especially Jannik and Carlos. Normally they are quite punctual, Jannik hates being late, But then maybe not with how exited Carlos was earlier about seeing his better half again”
Rafa nods thoughtfully. “They were first in their room, no? They should be first back down, no? Have most time to get dressed”
Casper can’t help but chuckle at Rafa’s innocence. “I think they’re a little busy… doing the opposite of getting dressed.”
Roger’s grin widens. “Exactly. Liebe. How many times do I have to tell you that? Not everyone is as innocent as you”
“But they are kids-” Rafa's voice is a bit shocked, like he really does not believe that the two athletes are already having sex at this moment. The elevator arrives at their floor and saves everyone from this conversation to get even weirder. But Roger still has something to add.
“I know for us they are, but they actually are adults. Don't worry about it, they won't make us grandparents anytime soon.” Roger laughs and then puts his hand on his husband's shoulder and navigates him over to their room. Casper does the same with his sleepy Dane.
As the doors close behind him, Casper glances down at Holger, who is still half-asleep against his shoulder. This is already shaping up to be one wild ride. Maybe Roger’s right, though. Maybe it won’t be as bad as he’s imagining.
Or maybe it’ll be even worse.
Then there's movement next to him, it's like a zombie waking up after nearly dying. It looks a bit uncoordinated how the blonde makes his way through the room but his target is clear. Holger flips onto the bed face-first, groaning dramatically.
“Seriously? You’re not even going to unpack? and to get ready” the Norwegian sighs while he starts doing exactly that. He stores their bags tidy in their place and starts to get his outfit out, hoping that between all the other stuff it did not get too wrinkled because he does not have time to iron it.
“Later,” Holger mumbles into the pillow.
Casper can't help but smile. For all his frustrations, there is still something endearing about the younger man’s stubbornness. “Fine, but if you fall asleep now, I’m not waking you up again. And you will miss the whole thing.”
Holger groans, turning his head slightly. “Oktoberfest can wait. I’m tired.”
“Too bad. It actually won't wait, we have a schedule and there is a table waiting for us. ANd it's your sponsor who will be upset when you do not show up. This was your idea, remember?” Once again Casper is the voice of reason.
Holger grumbles again, but finally pushes himself up actually listening to him and starts to make his way over to the on suite bathroom.. Casper watches him with a soft smile, shaking his head. Maybe this trip wouldn’t be so bad after all. He goes over to the small coffee bar that is part of the room. Maybe some coffee will help them both to get more energized and to survive the long day ahead.
Jannik’s POV: Monday at the Oktoberfest
As Jannik steps off the BMW that drove them directly to the Wiesn Grounds, the first thing that hits him is the sheer size of it all. The festival area, stretching as far as the eye can see, is filled with massive buildings and tents that seem to be straight out of a picture book. They are all really Bavarian and look aesthetically accurate. Just how someone would imagine this event to look like. He pauses for a second, squinting against the brightness of the sun, trying to take it all in.
In South Tyrol, where he grew up, they have a smaller Oktoberfest and something called Almabtriebe a kind of celebrations that marks the return of cattle from alpine pastures, but nothing on this scale. The sheer amount of people milling about in traditional Bavarian outfits, the clink of beer steins, and the sound of live folk music mixed with Apre Ski hits and Schlager are both familiar and overwhelming. The smell of all different kinds of food, bright lights and weird sounds from the rollercoasters and carousels. It's a lot. But he is looking forward to getting lost in this craziness today, normally not being a big party goer, this definitely could be exciting.
Carlos, walking next to him, lets out a child-like laugh. He reminds him of a small kid at christmas that sees the tree and all the presents, his eyes all wide and with this special spark in it “This is insane! I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Jannik can’t help but smile at Carlos’s enthusiasm. “Yeah, it’s something,” he agrees, wrapping an arm around Carlos’s shoulders and pulling him in close. “You’ll love it.”
“Of course he will,” Roger chimes in from behind, his voice warm and full of nostalgia. “It’s Oktoberfest. Who wouldn’t love it? I can still remember my first time and I like to come back here.”
Jannik turns to see if the rest of the group is catching up. Roger, Rafa, and Andy walk with a relaxed ease, clearly reminiscing about their own younger days, while Casper lags a little behind Holger next to him, his eyes wide as he takes in the bustling crowds. He looks a little overwhelmed, and Jannik feels a pang of sympathy for him. Casper’s always been a bit more reserved, especially in situations like this.Somehing Jannik can just understand all too well.
They’re all dressed in traditional Bavarian outfits now, a fun requirement from their sponsors for the day but also generally expected by everyone going to the Oktoberfest. Casper went for the more classic look, nothing too catchy, a blue checkered shirt with some leather pants that nearly are beige, Holgers shirt is looking similar to the norwegians but its read and white, but his leather shorts are definitely not as traditional, they are black and way shorter than they normally are, they barely reaches mid-thigh, showing off way more leg than necessary. The waistband seems to be sitting just a little too snugly, and he’s paired it with knee-high socks Where did he even got these from. Holger and his short shorts.
“Charlie,” Jannik chuckles, nudging Carlos who is still next to him, “look at Holger’s shorts. He’s practically wearing hot pants.”
Carlos bursts out laughing, and Jannik joins him, their laughter blending into the hum of the crowd. Holger hears them talking and laughing after mentioning his name so he catches up with them with fast steps “What? Are you talking about me?” he challenges, eyebrows raised.
“You’re practically dressed for a different festival, man,” Carlos teases, still laughing and point at the Danes pants.
Holger grins, clearly unbothered by the attention. “What can I say? I’ve got the legs for it And you know my motto, the shorter the shorts the better.” He struts dramatically ahead, earning another round of laughter from the group. Even Roger and Rafa can’t help but shake their heads in amusement.
Jannik, in contrast to Holgers more experimental style, is wearing brown Lederhosen, they are not bavarian but in the style of his hometown in Sexten, ending shortly above his knee and not too tight, he also wears a white shirt that’s tucked into his pants and a dark green vest, both from Gucci and fitting perfectly to the Lederhosen. Carlos is in the outfit but he bought the other week, the shirt and dark vest tugging slightly at his broad shoulders. It really suits him more than Jannik expected and looks even better in real life than in the pictures. They’d both been a bit more hesitant at first, but now that they’re here, it feels right, like they’ve fully embraced the festival spirit.
“This really is amazing, so many people and so far nobody even looks at us,” Jack pipes in from the side, his British accent cutting through the noise. He’s also wearing a more classic outfit but his leather pants are tighter than Jannik’s, and Jannik can’t help but notice how well they hug Jack’s frame. He exchanges a quick glance with Carlos, who’s clearly noticed it too.
“Man, Jack, you’re filling out those pants a little too well,” Carlos says, and Jannik grins, watching as Jack blushes slightly under the attention. Something his friend is normally not known for, that the Spaniard did not even try to not make his voice sound anything but suggestive.
“Thanks, I guess?” Jack laughs, brushing it off, though Jannik can see he’s secretly pleased with the compliment.
Carlos leans over to Jannik, whispering just loud enough for him to hear, “You noticed that too, right?”
Jannik chuckles, his eyes drifting to Jack’s backside for just a second before replying, “Hard not to.” It really is a nice view.
The group moves forward, navigating their way through the crowds looking for the tent their table is booked at. The smells of roasted meats and fresh pretzels fill the air, mingling with the scent of beer and the sound of laughter. It’s lively, colorful, and overwhelming in the best way. Jannik loves the atmosphere, though it’s clearly a bit much for Casper, who stays close to Roger and Rafa.
“You alright, Casper?” Jannik asks, falling in step beside him.
Casper offers a small, tense smile. “Yeah, just… a lot of people and all these things mixed with me still being a bit out of it from yesterday, you know? It is also not really my scene.”
Jannik nods. “Yeah, it can be quite a lot. Just stick with us. It gets better once we’re inside the tent.”
Roger, overhearing the conversation, turns and offers a reassuring smile. “You’ll settle in once the beer starts flowing. And they serve the food. That's when the magic happens. It will bring back some of your Lebensgeister.”
Rafa, beside him, nods in agreement. “It’s like when we were younger, no. These kinds of things feel huge, but you find your rhythm. And sometime you be used to it”
Andy, looking at them as well, smirks. “Yeah, it’s easy for you to say. You both always thrived in crowds. Not that you ever even noticed anyone else then each other. There could have been millions of people and you were busy in your Fedal bubble” the Brit laughs and shakes his head before he walks next to Jack and stops the younger Brit from walking in the wrong direction.
Roger and Rafa exchange amused looks, their bond built on years of shared memories, but it’s clear they’re not the same wide-eyed kids they once were. The next gen taking this spot now. Jannik can feel the nostalgia in their expressions when they are looking at the five of them. And he hopes one day he will be at the point where they are now.
As they approach their target destination, one of the larger, more classic wooden buildings, the Käfer Wiesn Schänke, the atmosphere shifts immediately. It reminds him more of home than the rest of the tents. Jannik knows that this one is more for the VIPs and high society and normally he does not like getting special treatment like this but in this case he is kinda glad because it seems to be a bit more private and it is also less crowded.
When the group is entering the cabin the noise outside is replaced with something more contained, yet no less lively mix of laughter, people chanting and music. Inside, the air is thick with the smell of beer, sausages, and sweat, but the music is unmistakably Bavarian—accordions, brass instruments, and a lively oom-pah-pah beat. The decorations are traditional, wooden beams strung with garlands and white and blue checkered flags, and the tables are not stretched in rows like in the other tents but here the tables are in separate boxes providing a bit more privacy.
The group is greeted warmly by one of the Nike officials who have reserved a large table rather on the back giving them even more privacy. “Welcome, welcome!” One of the hosts shouts over the music, waving them over. “We’ve got everything ready for you. Food, drinks—make yourselves at home.”
They’re all ushered to their seats, with Roger, Rafa, and Andy taking the end of the table where they can lean in close and reminisce, while Jannik and Carlos sit beside on the other side of them and Jack chooses the end of the table between Andy and Carlos. Holger, of course, plops down right next to Casper at the other end, still looking a bit like he might pass out at any moment, excited but clearly tired.
Carlos does not lose time and grabs one of the large beer steins that are already waiting for them and raises it in Jack’s direction and then to the middle of the rest of the group. “To a great day at Oktoberfest,” he says and then turns to look Jack right into the eyes “And to those pants.” he winks at the brit.
Jack snorts, taking a sip from his own stein. “Man, you guys won’t let it go, will you?”
Jannik laughs and nudges Carlos under the table. “When Charlie puts his eyes on something he likes he won't stop talking about it. I am speaking from experience..”
“And I stand by it,” Carlos grins, giving Jannik a playful nudge back. There’s something easy and comfortable in the way they move together, like they’ve known each other for much longer than they have. Jannik feels the warmth of Carlos’s thigh against his own under the table, and he leans in closer, whispering low in Carlos’s ear “Do you think today is the right time to make a move?” that makes Carlos smile and nod slightly. They discussed this a few times before and this seems to look like a good chance to test the waters.
“I feel like I’m third-wheeling,” Jack jokes, though there’s a playful glint in his eye. “You two are worse than Roger and Rafa.”
Carlos leans back, putting his arm casually around the back of Jannik. “You’re always welcome to join, Jack. No need to be shy.”
Jannik chuckles, feeling the heat of Carlos’s arm resting close, but he keeps his eyes on Jack, appreciating the easy banter. There’s a part of him that enjoys flirting with Jack like this. There’s no tension yet, just fun. He clearly is a bit confused about it but does not seem to be having anything against it. They are good friends and maybe lately Jannik also likes him a bit more than that Especially since their double in Montreal. And the fact that Jack just slapped his ass mid game.
At first he was shocked by the realization and full of guilt. He and Carlso were together for quite some time already, ever since that night in Umag and yes from time to time dating the person who is also your biggest rival is not easy, but they are good. So realizing that he is attracted to someone while still being super in love with his boyfriend was confusing at least. Luckily Carlos knows him best and figured out that something was off and they learned over the years that being together in their sport is only possible if they communicate openly. So they talked and Jannik would have expected everything but not that Carlos would tell him that he can see it, that he also thinks that the brit is handsome and attractive and that he likes him so he would be up for it.
Jack shakes his head, pretending to be exasperated. “Oh no, I know where that road leads. You two are a handful on your own.” From the other side of the table Andy is watching them, he looks a bit skeptical and like he is already connecting the dots.
Holger, who’s been quietly observing the exchange, finally pipes up. “Carlos is right, Jack. You’d fit right in,” he says with a grin, though he’s clearly teasing. It is possible that his boyfriend told his best friend of their little crush on the other player. But before Jannik can say anything about it the Dane raises his beer in a mock salute and moves the attention back to why they are here in the first place “Prost.”
“Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit” Jannik agrees and Rogers smiles at him, being the only one who really understands what he just said.
The table bursts into laughter again, and Jannik notices Casper relaxing a little but staying quiet and close to Holger, having his hand on the younger one's thigh and playing with the edge of his short leather pants. With the friendly atmosphere inside the tent, the music, and the laughter are infectious. It’s hard not to feel lighter. There even is a smile on the Norwegian's face and Jannik is glad that his friend is feeling better again and able to enjoy this at least a bit.
After a while, the waitresses bring out platters of food—massive pretzels, roasted chicken, sausages, and all kinds of Bavarian delicacies. It seems like it doesn't end, there's so much and he wonders who is supposed to eat all of this. The table is completely covered by plates. There's also cheese and some fruit. Jannik watches as Carlos digs some of the pretzel into a small pot with enthusiasm, his excitement never waning. Eyes wide again and full of awe for all the new things around him. His boyfriend truly is easy to impress but this is impressive indeed.
“Try this,” Carlos says, offering Jannik a bite of his pretzel, with something that looks like orange cream cheese with caraway seeds, his eyes gleaming with happiness. Jannik leans in and takes a bite, the warm dough salty and satisfying, the cheese having a unique consistency and taste. He remembers the name of it as Obazda, one of the more known Bavarian foods.
“Good, huh?” Carlos grins, clearly proud of his choice.
Jannik nods, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Having a bit of the cheese on it “Yeah, but you always know what’s good.”
“Still we better not let our teams know that we are eating all of this. This does not fit in our diets at all” Casper shipes in and everyone besides Andy and Roger agree. Retirement really has its perks.
Carlos beams, his energy lighting up the room. It’s something Jannik loves about him—the way he brings joy into every moment, no matter where they are. Not that it is needed at this moment, the atmosphere is already being so easy and delightful. But it makes it even better because he just loves seeing the Spaniard like this.
As they taste through the delicacies and start to empty their first Mass of beer, the group becomes more animated. The "old" men start telling stories from their younger days on tour, their voices growing louder with each round of drinks.
“There was that one time in Rome,” Andy begins, laughing so hard he can barely finish his sentence. “When Roger thought—"
“Oh, don’t start with that one!” Roger interrupts, shaking his head, though he’s clearly enjoying it. “I don't think—"
“Yes they absolutely want to hear this. They are all noisy bastards”
Jannik leans back into Carlos arm that is still around his hip, watching Roger try to stop his former rival “It isn't even that funny.” but Andy laughs harder, trying to recount the story. Rafa is already chuckling, eyes twinkling with the same shared memories.
“Oh, come on, Rog,” Andy grins, clearly relishing the opportunity to tease Roger. “You totally thought that poor boy was supposed to be your personal Ballboy for the weekend. Not an upcoming Italian actor who was there for a PR gig. You made him get your towel during the whole shooting several times. And he only did not say anything because you are the big Roger Federer. Until the producer pointed out that he planned this differently but that this actually was gold content then it clicked for you . I’ve never seen you so embarrassed!”
Roger groans but can’t help but laugh. “That was one time, Andy! And I apologized several times, he was laughing about it.”
“Barely,” Rafa adds with a sly grin, causing the table to erupt into another round of laughter. Even Casper cracks a little laugh, though he’s still sitting quietly beside Holger,they are both a bit in their own world, one still tired and the other wanting to be somewhere else completely.
Jannik glances over at Carlos, who’s engaged in the conversation, laughing along with Jack and the rest. He’s always admired the way Carlos fits in so easily with any group, his natural charisma pulling people toward him. It makes Jannik feel proud, in a way, knowing he’s close to someone who brings so much energy wherever they go. And that even though he is the total opposite of that, Carlos still chooses him.
He watches as Jack, leans back in his chair, stretching his arms casually. Jannik can’t help but let his eyes linger on how Jack’s lederhosen fit snugly around his waist and thighs. The leather clings in a way that makes Jannik glance at Carlos, only to see that Carlos is already looking at Jack with the same kind of appreciation.
Carlos catches Jannik’s eye, smirking. “Really not bad, huh? He should ask Holger for the measurements of his shorts. Nike already is doing them so they can just give them to Jack as well” he murmurs under his breath, leaning in closer so only Jannik can hear him.
Jannik raises an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “You’ve been staring for a while.”
Carlos chuckles, not even bothering to deny it. “Can you blame me? Look at him.”
Jannik shrugs, pretending to be nonchalant. “Fair point.”
Jack, noticing their glances, raises his beer. “What’re you two whispering about over there?”
Carlos doesn’t miss a beat. “Just admiring your beauty, Jack..”
Jannik bites back a laugh as Jack rolls his eyes, though he can’t hide the slight flush in his cheeks. “Man, you guys are relentless,” Jack says, but his smile betrays how much he’s enjoying the attention.
Holger, picking up on the playful banter, grins and elbows Casper in his side. “Looks like we’re not the only ones in for a good time tonight.”
Casper, who’s been quiet for most of the meal, just shakes his head. “I don’t even know what’s happening anymore,” he mutters, but there’s still a faint smile on his lips.
The energy in the tent is starting to shift. The live Bavarian music has picked up tempo, and people are standing on benches, clinking steins and singing along with the band. The atmosphere inside still feels more intimate and traditional than outside—where the chaos of the festival grounds is louder, more frenetic. Here, under the warm lights and between the clinking of glasses, there’s a sense of camaraderie and celebration that Jannik finds comforting.
It reminds him of the festivals back home, the way people come together after the hard work of the Almabtrieb, celebrating with food, music, and dancing. There’s a simplicity to it all that makes him feel grounded, even in the middle of all this chaos. This is what he is used to, tradition, family and its values. This is what the spirit of Oktoberfest is about, it is a bit sad that these days that's not really what it is known for anymore.
Carlos nudges him again, this time with his elbow. “You good?”
Jannik nods, smiling softly. “Yeah. Just thinking about home. We have festivals like this too, just smaller.”
Carlos’s eyes soften, and he leans closer, lowering his voice. “I’d love to see that. Maybe next year, after the US open?”
Jannik’s heart warms at the thought of showing Carlos his world, the small towns and mountains of South Tyrol. “I’ll hold you to that.”
Carlos grins and raises his beer. “To next year’s Almabtrieb, then!” he absolutely butchers that word but Jannik is not even trying to correct him.
They clink their steins together, and Jannik feels a deep sense of contentment settle over him.
Just then, Roger stands up from his seat, holding up his own stein with a broad grin. “Alright, everyone! A toast—to new experiences, old friends, and to Oktoberfest!”
The rest of the table follows suit, standing and raising their drinks high in the air. “To Oktoberfest!” they echo in unison, the clinking of their glasses ringing out above the music and chatter.
Jannik catches Carlos’s eye as they take their seats again, both smiling at the warmth of the moment. There’s something special about being here, surrounded by people they care about, in the middle of a celebration that feels both familiar and foreign at the same time.
As the music swells and the conversations around the table continue, Jannik and Carlos keep gravitating back to Jack. His easy charm, paired with his British humor, keeps pulling their attention. Jannik feels a little mischievous as he watches Carlos openly flirt with Jack, their banter flowing naturally.
“So, Jack,” Carlos says, leaning forward with a playful smirk, “you planning to dance later? Or are you just here to look good in those lederhosen ?”
Jack raises an eyebrow, but he’s smiling. “Oh, I’m definitely dancing. You two gonna join me, or just sit there staring all night?”
Jannik laughs, exchanging a glance with Carlos. “We’ll see,” he says, feeling a thrill at the idea. He never has been a big dancer, but the night’s still young, after all.So who knows where this goes.
Roger, who’s been watching the younger ones with amusement, shakes his head. “You three remind me of us when we were your age,” he says, his voice filled with nostalgia. “All that energy, like you’re never going to slow down.”
Rafa nods, his smile soft. “We used to close down places like this. Now, I just hope to stay awake until midnight.”
Andy snorts. “Speak for yourself, Rafa. I can still outlast these kids any day.” He takes another sip from his glass to underline that statement.
Jannik grins, feeling the camaraderie of the older players. There’s something reassuring about their presence, like they’re all part of a bigger story—one that spans generations.
“But I cannot agree fully, Because you two never wanted into my pants like these two want with good old Jack here” Andy then adds and Jannik chokes on a piece of pretzel he just was eating. Not expecting the older athlete to be so blunt and stating the obvious.
As the afternoon goes on, the tent fills with more laughter, more beer, and more stories. Jannik feels a sense of belonging, not just with Carlos by his side, but with the entire group. It’s not just about tennis or fame, but the connections they’ve built, the shared experiences that make moments like this unforgettable.
Carlos leans in close again, his voice soft and intimate over the noise of the crowd. “This is pretty perfect, isn’t it?”
Jannik nods, his heart swelling with contentment. “Yeah, it really is.”