5 times where the soft launch (if you still can call it soft launch) failed and the one time it worked.
My Masterlist - Read it on ao3 if you like
Wordcount: 3049
Artti can’t pinpoint the exact moment when he and Sunny became more than friends. It was a slow process. From being colleagues to work friends and then to friends who share late night confession under the stars (and sometimes under northern lights too). Suddenly Sunny was the person who he wanted to tell everything. The good and the bad things. The Norwegian was the first thing that came to his mind in the morning and the last thought before he fell asleep. There wasn’t even a big love confession. They slipped right into being lovers (Sunny loved to call them Lovers. Artti found it slightly cringe, but he has gotten used to it.)
Someday they just broke the physical barrier. It was in Sunny’s backyard on an old trampoline. They just looked at each other, laying in each other’s arms, and both knew that this was it. Their fist kiss was perfect, smooth as if they did a million times before but with the same emotional explosion that comes with a first kiss. From then on, they were inseparable. Artti never experienced something this real and good. Not with any of his other partners, not while ski jumping, not while doing literally anything else.
To their surprise nobody noticed them. Not really at least. Everyone knew that they were close. So, nobody questioned why they spent so much time together. To the defence of their friends, they decided to keep their relationship lowkey for the beginning. “I mean let´s just try this for us for the moment. It could be sexy sneaking around.”, Sunny said one day when they carpooled together to a training camp. A carpool that didn’t really make sense since Sunny and he lived in opposite directions, but who would question them. “We could even soft launch it! You were always jealous of couples that got to soft launch. I saw your TikTok feed.”
“I mean I am sucker for soft launches.”, Artti said and grabbed the other one’s hand over the middle console of the car. He pressed a quick kiss on Sunnys knuckles without taking the eyes from the road. At least he was trying not to. He was a good driver, and he was proud of it. Even Sunny couldn’t change that.
Sunny nodded enthusiastically and squeezed Artti`s hand. “Great so I thought we could do some silly and really cringe insta comments or something like that and see how crazy we have to go until someone questions us.”
“You match my freak so well, babe.” Artti couldn’t help himself and smiled brightly at his boyfriend. Shit now he really couldn’t keep his eyes on the road.
1. Comments
They made a bet out of it. How obvious do they have to get until the team noticed it? Artti`s bet was that they could literally kiss with them around and they wouldn’t get it. Sunny was a bit more confident on the social ability of their team. He bet their team would get it before Engelberg even when they wouldn’t kiss in front of them.
“I am just gonna comment looking hot with that Italian chef pasta hand movement thing.”, Artti said when they were chilling on the couch in Sunny’s apartment in Oslo. They just came back from Courchevel and Sunny was preparing his insta post. Artti was in the Norwegians arms and looking at his phone. Sunny’s chin was on his head holding the phone in front of them.
“What Italian chef pasta hand movement thing?” Artti could feel the other one’s chuckle against his hair. He let go of Sunnys arm in front of him and made the movement. That made Sunny laugh even harder. A sound so dear to Artti. “Oh, that Italian chef pasta hand movement thing. Yes, comment that. I doubt that they will catch on but its good anyways.”
The problem is that their whole team was kinda crazy like them. A week later Artti posted a pic of himself. Naturally Sunny commented under it but a few minutes later a comment from Benji showed up. Sexy boy. Sunnys bella looked old against that. “Should I be jealous?”, he asked and holds his phone in front of Artti`s face. They were in Artti`s kitchen, prepping a salat for dinner.
“I love Benji, he is even more unhinged than us.” Sunny scrunched his nose while he cut a cucumber.
“That only concerns me more.”, the taller one said.
Artti wrapped his arms around Sunnys waist from behind. His head laid in the crook of Kristoffers neck. “You know I only have eyes for you. But I fear the commenting tactic isn’t enough.”
Sunny turned in Artti`s arms. His back pressed into the counter behind him. He leaned down a bit and pressed his lips on his boyfriends. It was a soft kiss. Almost lazy. “Well, I guess we have to be crazier than them.”
2. Sharing Clothes
Logistically it made no sense for them to share clothes. Sunny was a good bit taller than the Estonian. Artti`s clothes were cropped when Sunny wore them and Artti always looked like got swallowed by the Norwegians clothes. Obviously, it didn’t stop them.
It was an accident when it first happened. Sunny had worn a trainings shirt from Artti to sleep the night before. They spent the night apart. A rare occasion these days. Artti had a zoom family call that Sunny didn’t want to interrupt. Sunny didn’t know if it was worrying or cute that he already had trouble sleeping without his other half. He couldn’t help himself and got a training shirt out of Artti`s drawer. It ended a bit above his hip bone, but he hadn’t cared. Well until he overslept, sprinted to the car in his sleep clothes (he did brush his teeth tho) and realized in the gym that he didn’t have a clean shirt in his training back. That’s how he ended up in an Estonian training’s shirt.
Artti`s eyes almost fell out when he stepped through the door. “Interesting choice. Not that I am complaining.”, he whispered to the Norwegian who couldn’t help the blush.
Sunny scratched the back of his head, exposing a bigger stretch of his midriff. Artti shamelessly eyed him up. The toned muscles were working with the arm movement and that Artti knows how they felt under his fingers made him even more horny.
“I overslept and for whatever reason I don’t have another shirt in my bag.”, he tried to explain himself.
Before Artti could reply, a whistle sounded through the gym. “Are you trying to seduce us Sunny?”, Johann shouted from the other end of the room.
“Or are you trying to change nations and team Estonia only carries that size?”, Marius chimed in. He was closest to them and Artti reached over to smack him on the head.
“Rude, Linus. Very rude.”, Artti spoke and went to the mats to warm up.
Sunny still was standing at the door of the gym. Observing the chaos. “I mean Artti is probably a way better teammate than you guys are. Also, we would always have to coolest super team.”, he finally spoke up.
“Aw, I feel touched Sunny. You are always welcome in team Estonia. We just have to get you the nationality. If you want to, we could get married. We would be great husbands.”, Artti winked at his boyfriend. When they had the opportunity to soft launch in person, they could use it.
“No but for real, why?”, Halvor asked who was quite before. He came up from his mat. Already done with stretching.
Sunny stepped over to take over the mat. “I overslept.” It was a half-truth. Enough to tease more questions he thought. He could hear Artti chuckle on the mat next to the now free one. With a sigh he dropped to the mat and looked up at Halvor.
“Not really an answer but what did I expect from you guys.”
3. Vacation
Two months later they were on vacation together in France. Well and with Benjamin, their teammate, who heard them while planning the trip. They felt bad leaving him behind, so he tagged along. A romantic dinner where they made heart eyes at each other was crashed by Benji trying to set them up with a server. Artti didn’t know if he should consider that Benji was at least suspecting that there was something going on between them because he tried to sell them as a package deal. It obviously didn’t work. Both he and Sunny were not cooperating. Very much to the distaste of Benjamin. “I can’t believe you guys. She was hot and her accent man – “
“If you like you can go out with her.”, Sunny said while they were strolling on a beach during sunset. After that set up Artti really needed to hold Sunny’s hand, so he did. No reaction from Benji. Maybe he was clueless after all.
“You know that I have a girlfriend that I love. And before you ask, we talked about situations like that. I mean you can’t help it if you find another individual attractive. We are in a very healthy relationship.”
Sunny pats onto the other Norwegians back. “Got it. Next time you could even bring her along. It would be a cute couple’s trip.” He pressed Artti`s hand and smirked at him. Artti shook his head. This wouldn’t seal the deal.
“If you wouldn’t mind then obviously yes. I thought about asking you for this trip, but I didn’t want to overstep.” Benji continued to go on but neither of them paid him much attention.
“Of course we wouldn’t mind. We could do double dates and stuff.”, Sunny doubled down.
But Benji only nodded. “I mean if there is anyone, we could do stuff like that without being weird about it, it would be you guys. You are so good friends, most people would probably think that you are really on a date.”
Artti leaned over to Sunny. His mouth just centimetres away from Sunnys skin right below his ear. Right where he knew his boyfriend had a sensitive spot that he loved to kiss. “I think we have to become more drastic.”
4. Photo dumb
Drastic meaned a couple photo on Instagram. “You look too cute together. The ladies will go wild over you guys’ next season.”, spoke Johann the day after they posted the pics during training. Artti rolled his eyes and Sunny shook his head. Artti`s head was literally on Sunny shoulder, and they looked at each other pretty in love. What else are they supposed to do? Well apart from telling them. But that would be way to boring.
“Nah, we don’t need girls. We have each other.”, Artti said and put an arm around Sunny’s waist. Casual but with enough intent and low enough to not be confused with a friendly gesture.
The Norwegian leant into the touch. “Exactly. Having Artti as my partner is enough for me.” For a few seconds they share a loving look then they get interrupted by Halvor.
“Right and I am santa claus. I am just waiting on the first girl that throws a bra at one of you during a team presentation.”
“In what century are we? The 80s?”, Artti gave a smack to Sunny’s ass and then broke the side hug. Even that was too normal for their teammates.
“No sexual harassment at the workplace.”, Benji joked.
5. Moving in together
Before the start of the new season, they kinda gave up. They just were being themselves around the team and they still hadn’t gotten it. To be fair they still hadn’t kissed around them. But they have done everything else that is at least partly suitable at work. Smacking each other’s asses. Cuddling. Holding hands. Calling each other boyfriends.
Two weeks before the season starts, they had the glorious idea to move in together. So much more convenient for the heavy travel load. They would gain so much time together.
The whole team was outside of Artti`s flat loading his personal stuff into the team vans the lent from the Norwegian ski federation. “Just those boxes and we are done.”, Artti said when he and Halvor brought a stool outside.
“I still don’t get why you are doing this?”, Marius said while lifting a box into the trunk.
“Because all of you are stupid.”, Sunny laughed. Stupid indeed. How couldn’t they connect the dots now? They were literally moving in together. And into Sunnys bachelor pat with one bedroom to say the least.
Halvor shook his head. “Or you are stupid. We already have a bet going on how long this will work until you guys are at each other’s throats.”
“Is that your only bet about us?” Artti and Sunny shared a glance. This could be the moment if their teammates where not completely dumb.
“I mean we have a bet on who get the next girl friend? But Tate is included as well?”
Sunny couldn’t help himself and started to laugh out loud. Like really laugh. With his head thrown back and all.
“20 bucks on Tate.”, Artti spoke while Sunny tried to contain himself.
6. Kissing – the 1 time it worked
“I have the gin.”, Sunny announced when he entered the cabin at the hill in Engelberg with a bag from a local supermarket. He spent a good portion of the morning roaming around the town, trying to find a nice gin that his boyfriend would like.
Sunny officially lost the bet he and Artti had going on about when and if their colleagues would figure out that they are together. With his bet on before Engelberg Sunny apparently really put too much faith into his team full of dorks. The stake was a date of the other one’s choice and Artti wanted a gin night in the Swiss alps.
Artti`s heat shot up and he put on his nicest smile. “Thanks, darling. I appreciate the effort.”
With a few steps Sunny dropped down on the bench next to his boyfriend and showed him the goods inside the bag. “I hope you like it. You know I don’t really know gin.”
So far Kristoffer had only eyes for Artti but now he allowed his eyes wander around the cabin. Halvor was changing into his suit, Johann did a few stretches next to him and Linus checked his equipment. Isak was already out doing imitations. Sunny leaned closer to his boyfriend. “You know since the bet is over, I think it’s finally time to tell them.”
“Benji will never forgive us when he isn’t first to know.”, Artti replied in a hushed voice.
Sunny knows he is right. Benji was their third wheel. He would be devasted to find out he wasn’t first to know. “Should we just text him? I am officially over this.”
“Or we facetime him.” Artti wiggled with his eyebrows as if he has a plan. He always had the best plans and Sunny trusted him, so he got his phone out.
Benji was chronically online and obviously picked up after the first ring. “Shouldn’t you be prepping for a competition?”, he askes without a greeting.
“Is that Benji?”, Halvor asked from the other end of the cabin and stepped over to them.
Sunny nodded at his teammate before he gave his phone to Artti. “Halvor, could you do me a favour and hold the phone please?” Artti handed the phone to Halvor right away, who took it sceptically.
Now the rest of the team in the cabin got interested as well. “What are you two scheming again?”, Johann asked and looked cursorily in their direction.
“Yes Artti, what are we scheming?”, Sunny turned to his boyfriend who had a smug grin on his face.
He felt who Artti gently put his hand around the back of his neck. His boyfriend still looked at the phone and Halvor. “You told us you have several bets on us going. But what if we told you guys, that Sunny and I also have a bet about you. Well, had. Sunny lost on Friday.”
“Its not several bets. Its only two.”, Marius chimed in from his bench.
Halvor looked at him dumbfounded. “That’s not important. Important is what was your bet?”
Finally, Artti tore his gaze from the room and looked at Sunny, who was already looking at his boyfriend. He let his tongue go over his lip in anticipation of what was to follow. The only thing they hadn’t done. Artti pulled his boyfriend closer at the neck until finally their lips met. It was a short but sweet kiss. Nothing spectacular but it got a gasped from the team.
“I think I missed a few chapters.”, Johann was first to speak when they parted again.
For a few seconds Sunny leaned his forehead against Artti`s. “Nice move.”, he whispers then he moved away from his boyfriend and turned to his teammates. He had a cheeky grin on the lips. One that could rival Artti`s.
Marius and Johann shared a quick gaze. Halvor and Benji both had red cheeks as if they walked into something scandalous. “Do we have to get even more obvious?”, Artti asked.
“I assume you guys are dating?” Marius spoke carefully as if not to offend them.
“Thank god finally.”, Sunny said and shook his head. “How hard was that? We literally live together and you dorks didn’t figure it out. Thanks to you, I had to buy ridiculous expensive gin.”
Benji gasped on the phone. “Were you already together when we went on vacation? Oh God you were - you were holding hands the whole time.”
“And the whole insta comments and posts… Did you try to do a soft launch?”, Johann commented and got his phone out.
Artti laughed out loud. “Yes, we did but that didn’t really work out.”
Sunny pressed a short kiss on his cheek. “But at least it was fun.”
The door to the cabin opened and Isak stepped inside, seemingly done with the imitations. He picked up at the weird tension in the room immediately and looked from one teammate to the other. “What did I miss?”
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