2024 PARIS OLYMPICS ONE SHOTS

The Net Between

AN: This was my first request! Also, I did not realize the Olympics ended today lol. I still have a few more stories I want to share, so I will continue to update. If you have a request, I'll still fulfill it. Let's get into it!

-Opening Ceremony (July 26)-

The boat glided through the water toward the Trocadéro where the Opening Ceremony would take place. Alessandro waves an Italian flag from the dock. His smile is a mile long as he looks out at all the people who gathered to watch him and his teammates arrive in Paris for the biggest sporting event in four years: the Olympics.

Alessandro looked to his left and then to his right; so many athletes surround him, and while he only knows a few, he doesn't feel overwhelmed. Everyone is here for the same reason: to win the games and bring back the gold.

He continues to wave his flag as other boats file in. After every represented country is present, the festivities begin. The Olympic cauldron is lit and the French President gives a speech declaring how pleased he is to have us all here. After what seems like forever, the ships take the athletes to where they will be staying in the Olympic Village.

When the Italian ship has docked, Alessandro jumps out, ready to explore where he'll be staying. "I'm going to explore," he tells his teammates, the only people he has interacted with so far. They all acknowledge him, but say that they will do their exploring later.

Alessandro sets off to wander the streets of Paris alone. He had already seen many attractions from the view of his boat, but he wanted to see them up close. On his way to the Eiffel Tower, he spots a bakery selling fresh made croissants. His stomach grumbles, and he can't seem to remember the last time he ate.

With the promise of a delicious pastry, he steps over the threshold of the bakery and sweet aromas fill his nose. He walks over to the cashier and points to a croissant in a glass display case. "S'il vous plaît?" Alessandro asks in french. The cashier nods and is about to get the pastry out when a voice sounds from behind Alessandro.

"Deux." Alessandro whips his head around to see a man dressed in the American merch(AN: I have no idea what it's actually called). Alessandro didn't know much french, but he knew that that word meant two. A bag with two pastries is handed to him over the counter, and Alessandro accepts it in exchange for some money. The cashiers waves at the men as they step out of the bakery.

"Matt Anderson," the American says, sticking out his hand for Alessandro to shake. Alessandro accepts it, then shares his own name.

"Alessandro Michieletto. I was headed for the Eiffel Tower, care to join?" The two begin to walk side by side, like old friends

The men share information about themselves as they ate their pastries, and Alessandro learned that Matt is on the American volleyball team. He jokes that they might have to compete against each other, and they both laugh. After many more terrible jokes-and a little flirting- they arrive at the Eiffel Tower. 

"Wow," Matt exclaims. "It's bigger than I thought." Matt was right. The Eiffel Tower was definitely a tower. It was so tall that Alessandro could barely see the top of it. Couples surrounded the area on benches. He led Matt over to an empty bench. 

"You know what, Alessandro," Matt asks, draping an arm over his shoulder.

"What?"

"You're really hot, and I'm not just saying that because you're Italian." Matt chuckled to himself. Alessandro knew that he must have meant it as a joke, but hard reality set in on him. Nothing could ever work out between the two. They were on opposite sides, opposite countries.

Alessandro felt his face heat up. Matt saw that he had made him uncomfortable and his chuckle turned into a nervous laugh.  Matt stood up from the bench, sensing that the flirting was over and he had said something wrong.

"Well, I, uh, have to head back and get some sleep. See you." Matt excused himself, leaving a confused Alessandro on the bench.

-Time Skip (August Ninth)-

Alessandro shuffled around the court, his only care in the world to keep that ball in the air and on the other teams side. He tried not to think about Matt, who he hadn't seen since the day of the opening ceremony. But it was impossible. Matt was right across from him, making eye contact from the other side of the net.

It was the last set(Is that what you call it in volleyball?) and if Alessandro and his team let the ball touch the floor, they would not get the bronze. Matt was up to serve. He smacked the ball midair and it came soaring over the net. Volleyball was almost like a dance. The players on a team had to work together and take the right steps or everything would be ruined.

Three hits and the ball is on the opposing side. All Alessandro could do now was hope that it didn't come back. Bump, set, spike... It's over the net! His team quickly tries to recover, but it's too late. The ball touches the floor, signaling the end of the game and a win for the Americans.

Sure, Alessandro was sad, but some part of him felt happy. He was happy that Matt was happy, as weird as that was.

Team Italy lined up on one side of the net and America on the other. He shook hands with all the players, but when he got to Matt, it seemed he had something to say.

Instead of shaking his hand, Matt pulled Alessandro into a half-hug, then whispered into his ear.

"I'm sorry about the other day. Let me make it up to you. Meet me at the Eiffel Tower at midnight."

Alessandro smiled to himself. "I'll be there," he confirmed before pulling away.

-At midnight-

Matt draped and arm around Alessandro and the two looked up at the glowing night sky. There might be miles of land and sea between them next week, but at the moment it was only a net.

OK I actually really like this one. Also, I'm really sorry if the volleyball game was hard to follow, but I tried my best to go off the actually game. Sorry for any grammar mistakes! Don't forget to vote and leave a comment on your favorite part!