readmewhen_
Jannik comes back to San Candido in december after a year that feels like two: his third Slam in Australia, the three-month suspension because of the clostebol case that stayed with him, and then that sharp comeback, full of wins. Wimbledon, three tournaments in a row, and the Finals in Turin again - for the second time.
He comes back, like every December, because he needs to stop for a second. Breathe. Remember who he is when nobody wants anything from him.
Then he finds out Sepp's inn - the family inn that once belonged to Cora's grandfather - has reopened.
And that Cora is the one running it now.
Cora from the summer and Christmas holidays.
Mark's best friend.
The older girl he used to watch from far away when he was twelve. His first crush that felt impossible.
Back then, for her, he was just a kid. Sweet. Important, in a simple way. The kind of kid you naturally look after, almost like a big sister.
But she left London, came back home, and took the inn on her shoulders. She's still brilliant and a bit different, still doing things her own way... only now she's not just a holiday memory.
And Jannik isn't that kid anymore.