#ski jumping ff

[skijumper]

lellinger, summer 2024

Confessing your love for your teammate slash best friend is probably way more scary than jumping off any hill

For the fifth time this evening, Stephan looks at himself in the mirror. The black pants paired with the white turtleneck he is wearing fits him perfectly, the black suiting his eyes and hair. Although it's exactly the hair that is bothering Stephan. However often he has tried to fix it, Stephan still thinks it looks messy. Not as messy after he wakes up each morning, but still too messy for a date.

Stephan sighs in frustration and has to hold himself back to not run his hand through his hair. It's pointless. Normally he is the chill dude on the team, everyone tells him that and normally Stephan doesn't care how he or his hair looks. This is important though, Stephan can't mess it up. Today he has planned to confess to his teammate, Andreas Wellinger. They have been best friends since forever and have gotten even closer over the last few seasons they spent together. Stephan had realized a long time ago, that his feelings towards Andi weren't solely feelings you would have for a friend but rather for a lover. It had been a rather embarrassing realization. Someone does not simply fall in love with his guy best friend. Stephan did though apparently.

He doubts that Andi felt the same. His best friend (Stephan refuses to call Andi his "crush" as Markus suggested) is an easy-going person who is affectionate with everything that breathes in his direction. Andi does not act differently with Stephan than he did with Karl or Pius so really, it's crystal clear to Stephan that Andi just likes him as a friend. Stephan has come to terms with the fact that his crush will always be just that, a crush. Damn it, Markus.

On the subject of Markus, his teammate was not really helpful when Stephan confessed to him that he liked Andreas more than a friend should. Markus had just laughed and said I know as if it were that obvious and the whole world already knew. That's total bullshit though. Stephan really tried to hide his feelings from the whole world, but especially from Andreas. Stephan thinks he did a good job with that. Markus told him that he did a bad job with that. Do with that information what you want.

It was Markus though that urged Stephan to confess his feelings to Andi. Stephan had stared at Markus aghast at first, horrified by the idea. The thought alone that Andreas would never talk to him again after that had shaken Stephan's core. No, he couldn't risk that. Markus had insisted though and normally Stephan was the first one to look away when Markus brought up one of his grand plans. Not this time. He listened as Markus explained that confessing his love for Andi is the only solution for his situation. "And hey, if he hates you forever after that, at least you have certainty. Better than walking in the dark," Markus had said, a smug grin on his face. Ha, as if that would calm Stephan's nerves. Nevertheless, he had listened to Markus and long story short, asked Andi to come over to his house this evening for a nice dinner. Stephan even bought Andi's favorite wine, as if that would bribe Andreas into loving him back. At least now he had some alcohol in his house so that after Andi rejected Stephan, he could get drunk shamelessly and leave mean voicemails on Markus' phone.

The sound of his doorbell ringing brings Stephan back to reality. He takes a deep breath and walks towards the door. Be brave and god forbid don't be embarassing, he tells himself as he opens his front door. Then, his breath gets taken away. Andreas looks stunning. His hair is styled in the way Stephan loves it and his million-dollar smile is directed at Stephan. His knees get weak and Stephan has to look away or else he might do something stupid like kiss Andi right here in the entryway. After that, he would need the earth to open up and swallow them up before any word got out. Therefore Stephan just steps aside to let Andi in. Andi instead goes straight for a hug that makes Stephan feel warm but lasts way too short in his opinion. "You look good, really dressed up," Andreas says and Stephan blushes. "You don't look bad yourself either," he mumbles as an answer but Andreas does not seem to hear it as he waltzes right into Stephan's dining room. That's an unique talent Andreas has. Making Stephan squirm and blush like a schoolgirl having their first crush. Stephan jolts. How embarrassing.

Quickly he follows Andi into his dining room. "You can sit down, I'll get the dishes," Stephan says and hurries into his kitchen where he grabs the pot of pasta he has prepared. Nothing fancy, he knows but it's Andi's favourite pasta. Normally Stephan and cooking are two words that are not used in the same sentence but thanks to Pius, who is a surprisingly good cook, Stephan mastered this pasta. Pius was even so friendly as to not judge Stephan like Markus would have. When Andreas sees the pasta his eyes light up and Stephan has to hide his smirk. Bull's eye. The first step was taken, now it only needs to taste good.

"Wow, Stephan, that tastes delicious. Didn't know you were such a good cook," Andreas says, mouth full of noodles. With everyone else Stephan would find this dusgusting but not with Andreass. It's rather endearing. Besides, Stephan blushes again under Andi's praise. That seriously needs to stop, it's getting embarrassing. Stephan just hopes that Andreas does not see it. His chances are good as Andi is already focused on the pasta again. Well, it is delicious, Stephan has to say as much.

When they both are finished, Andi puts his fork down and fixes Stephan with an intense stare. "So, now that we are finished you need to tell me what's going on." Stephan gulps. Did Andreas figure out what he had planned? Upon seeing Stephan's panicked look, Andi laughs. It's not a mean sound, but rather a laugh meant to comfort Stephan. Little does it help. "Now don't look like that. Stephan, I know you. In all these years we've been friends we have never had such a dinner. Please don't tell me you want to retire." Andi genuinely sounds sad after his last sentence and Stephan is quick to shake his head. "No, no, I don't plan to retire anytime soon. But you are right, I want to tell you something. Why don't we go to the living for that," Stephan answers calmly, despite not feeling like that. In fact, his hands are shaking as he stands up to lead Andreas into his living room. He briefly considers to flee but that would be rather foolish. Besides, Stephan does want to get this off his chest.

Stephan sits down on his couch, Andi mimicking him. He is looking at Stephan expectant. Now is the time. Stephan gathers all his courage and says, "Andreas, I think I'm in love with you, have been actually for a while. Every time you look at me, there are butterflies in my stomach and I can't stop myself from smiling like a fucking idiot. You don't know how much I want to hug you, feel your arms around me. And it's okay if you hate me now and never want to speak to me again. It's just that I had to get this off my chest otherwise I would have combusted. And I know I'm starting to ramble now but I can't help it I'm so fucking nervous-" Andi silences Stephan by putting a finger on Stephan's lips. Stephan stops speaking and gulps. He doesn't dare to look at Andreas, doesn't want to see the expression on his best friend's face. Or ex-best friend because Andi surely hates him now.

"Look at me," Andreas urges Stephan though and Stephan does. Instead of the hate he expected, Stephan sees a big smile on Andi's lips. "Took you long enough", Andreas says with a laugh and now Stephan is completely confused. What does Andreas mean? Upon seeing Stephan's lost expression, Andi rolls his eyes affectionately. "Took you long enough to realize you are in love with me. I have suspected it for months. Lucky for you, I feel exactly the same," Andi explains and Stephan opens and closes his mouth like a damn fish. He can't believe what he just heard. Andreas loves him back? Is this a dream? No, it can't be. The universe wouldn't be so cruel to make him wake up after Andi also confessed his love for him.

Andreas leans closer to Stephan and whispers, "Can I kiss you?" Stephan nods vigorously, not believing his luck. Andreas doesn't need to be told twice. He surges forward, capturing Stephan's lips with his own. Kissing Andreas is all Stephan has ever dreamed of and much more. Andi's lips feel soft against his own and Stephan sighs into the kiss. Andreas tugs Stephan closer to him, which is nearly impossible. They are embraced as tightly as possible. The kiss is slow and gentle. Stephan has no desire to deepen it, wants to be in the moment. Andreas seems to feel the same.

When they break apart, Stephan lovingly stares into Andi's eyes. Andreas strokes Stephan's cheek with his and in that moment Stephan just feels pure happiness. This moment is even better than winning a competition, than winning an Olympic Medal. Mentally Stephan makes a note to thank Markus later. Now though he does not want to think about his teammate when he was Andi right before his face. Andi, who loves him back.

[4hells]

Let's read the new lellinger fanfic

[wie-sagt-man-noch]

Eiszeit - Lellingerficlet

Hallo its me - ich weiß ich hab ewig nichts mehr geschrieben aber Stephans Instastory gestern hat mich nicht losgelassen. Das hier wird ein Teil meiner Fragmentesammlung, kurz runtergeschrieben und einmal quergelesen. 

Ein bisschen für @printzess-blog weil ich ihr gefühlt 1000 Lellingerfics schulde ♥ 

Warning: Crack!

„Bist du wirklich sicher, dass das so funktioniert?“

Wenn Andreas nicht Angst hätte, dass die mühevoll aufgebaute Holzkonstruktion vor ihm in sich zusammenfällt sobald er seinen Aufbau länger als 3 Sekunden aus den Augen lässt, dann würde er Stephan jetzt einen bösen Blick zuwerfen. So aber schnaubt er nur verächtlich, während er mit zittrigen Fingern das nächste Holzstück im Kamin andrapiert. Etwas schief ist seine Konstruktion wirklich, aber es konnte ja keiner ahnen, dass in ihrem Hotelzimmer die Heizung ausfällt. Der Techniker war bereits da, allerdings scheint das Problem ein etwas Größeres zu sein, weswegen sie unter anderem auf den Kamin in ihrem Zimmer verwiesen wurden.

„It's getting warm really quick, no problem“, hat er freundlich lächelnd gesagt und kurze Zeit später einen großen Stapel Holz sowie kleinere Stücke zum Feuer anschüren zu ihnen gebracht. Das ist inzwischen eine Stunde her und bisher ging das Teil weder schnell an noch ist es warm. Ein kurzer Blick auf das Thermostat oberhalb des Kamins bestätigt das unangenehme Zittern in Andreas' gesamten Körper: Es ist noch kälter geworden, 13 Grad. Genau das, was man nach einem anstrengenden Tag braucht.

Vorsichtig zieht Andreas schließlich seine noch immer zitternden Hände aus der Öffnung des Kamins und richtet sich langsam auf. Stephan steht noch immer wie angewurzelt neben ihm, sein Blick ist genauso skeptisch wie die Frage, die er zuvor gestellt hat. Seine Nasenspitze ist ebenso rot wie seine Wangen und wenn Andreas nicht mindestens genauso kalt wäre, wie seinem Gegenüber, dann würde er diesen Anblick wahrscheinlich als ziemlich niedlich empfinden.

„So, jetzt müssen wir noch noch das Papier und einen Anzünder dazu packen, das ganze anzünden und dann sollte das Ding laufen.“ Zu seiner eigenen Überraschung klingt Andreas wesentlich überzeugter als er tatsächlich ist. Grundsätzlich ist er ja ein Optimist, aber nachdem das hier bereits die fünfte Konstruktion ist, die er aufgebaut hat, ist seine Hoffnung darauf, dass das hier nun funktioniert, nicht mehr ganz so groß wie noch zu Beginn der ganzen Aktion.

„Wir könnten uns immer noch bei Markus und Karl einquartieren. Oder das andere Zimmer in Anspruch nehmen, was uns der Rezeptionist vorhin angeboten hat.“ Stephans Stimme klingt erstaunlich ruhig, nur das klappern seiner Zähne und der leicht angespannte Unterton verrät, dass er nicht ganz so entspannt ist, wie er vorgibt zu sein. Natürlich ist er zu freundlich um Andreas zu sagen, dass er ihn für kindisch und dieses Vorhaben für absolut idiotisch hält. Stephan ist wirklich zu gut für diese Welt, denkt Andreas.

„Quatsch, dieses Mal klappts. Ganz bestimmt!“ Bemüht zuversichtlich grinst er Stephan an, der zuckt allerdings nur hilflos mit den Schultern.

„Ich versteh nicht, warum du das olle Ding unbedingt zum Laufen bringen willst. Aber“, mit seiner eisigen Hand umschließt er die seines Freundes', seine Stimme klingt todernst „wenigstens erfrieren wir zusammen.“

Ungläubig sieht Andreas Stephan an, „danke für dein Vertrauen“, antwortet er trocken, dann macht er sich entschlossen von ihm los und nimmt das Feuerzeug in die Hand. Natürlich hat das Hotel ihnen ein Ersatzzimmer angeboten aber als Andreas den Kamin im Zimmer gesehen hat, da musste er die Gunst der Stunde einfach nutzen. Dass der Techniker ihnen nicht einfach so das Holz in die Hand gedrückt hat und dann verschwunden ist, weiß Andreas natürlich, aber so klingt die Geschichte nicht ganz so peinlich wenn er sie später den Anderen erzählen wird.

„Pass auf, das klappt und dann“, er stockt kurz, „dann wird’s richtig gemütlich.“

Hoffentlich, schiebt er gedanklich nach. Vorsichtig kniet er sich wieder vor den Kamin, knüllt etwas Papier zusammen und legt es zu dem Holz. Der Haufen wackelt, Andreas hält die Luft an. Sekunden vergehen, alles steht. Erleichtert atmet er aus, nur noch der Anzünder. Den packt er zum Papier, noch immer steht alles. Vorsichtig zündet er das Papier an, dieses beginnt schnell zu brennen.

Andreas hat sich selten etwas mehr gewünscht, als dass das Feuer auf den Anzünder über geht.

Sekunden vergehen die sich wie Stunde anfühlen das Papier verbrennt und der Anzünder kokelt nur an und Andreas ist einem Nervenzusammenbruch sehr nah weil er hier seit einer Stunde versucht ein Feuer zu schüren und er dazu offensichtlich zu blöd ist und er einfach das andere Zimmer annehmen hätte sollen aber nein er ist ja stur wie immer weil er Stephan eine Freude machen wollte schließlich weiß er wie sehr sein Freund auf Kaminfeuer steht und wie gemütlich er das findet es hätte alles so schön sein können aber dieser Drecksofen will einfach nicht -

„Es brennt.“

Ungläubig betrachtet Andreas das Feuer vor seinen Augen, Stephan sagt es noch einmal, „es brennt“, und klingt dabei so perplex, als ob vor seinen Augen gerade das achte Weltwunder geschehen wäre.

Andreas richtet sich zögerlich auf, „es brennt“, antwortet er mechanisch, seine Augen sind verräterisch feucht. Dass das anschüren eines Kamins solche Emotionen ihn ihm freisetzt, hätte er nicht für möglich gehalten.

Stephan neben ihm atmet erleichtert auf und zieht ihn in eine feste Umarmung. Das Holz im Kamin knackt und knistert, Wärme macht sich langsam im Raum breit und Andreas und Stephan liegen sich zitternd in den Armen.

Was für ein absurder Abend.

[skijumper]

domiel, lillehammer 2024

"I thought we weren't talking anymore," Domen says and Daniel winces, looking hurt.

Domen is sitting on his hotel bed, scrolling on his phone through Instagram when there's a knock on his door. Confused, Domen looks up. He is not expecting someone. Most of the team has already gone to bed as far as he knows and Domen didn't order any room service.

He puts his phone on the nightstand, gets up and walks slowly to the door. Domen's body still aches from his fall earlier but that's nothing compared to what could have happened. Quickly Domen banishes the images from his head. He does not want to think about that. Before Domen can open the door, there's another knock. He rolls his eyes. Whoever is standing before the door, is in a hurry.

Domen opens the door a little and peeks out. You can never be sure. Maybe there's a burglar there who wants to rob Domen. But Domen doesn't have anything valuable on him. A few euros, yes, but otherwise there's not much to be gained from him. Standing before the door, however, is not a thief.

It's Daniel Andre Tande. Domen does a double take, not trusting his eyes. Maybe he did hit his head worse than he had thought. Daniel (or the illusion of Daniel) gives a small smile. "Hi," he breathes, "I wanted to make sure you are okay. Can I come in?" Without a word, Domen steps aside and lets Daniel in. He rakes his head of things to say. Probably "Hey, nice that you are here" or something like that.

"I thought we weren't talking anymore," is what comes out of his mouth instead. Very subtle indeed, congratulations. Daniel winces and Domen considers jumping out of the window. But since his hotel room is on the ground floor, that wouldn't help much. Only wet clothes from the snow.

Daniel turns to look at Domen but he averts his eyes, doesn't want to see the look on Daniel's face. There was a time when Domen loved nothing more than to look into Daniel's face, to see the sparkle in his eyes and to enjoy his smile. But that time is over and it is not Domen's fault. It was Daniel who ended everything, who broke Domen's heart. "With my retirement, things will be difficult between us, we shouldn't see each other," Daniel had said and in that moment, Domen's world had collapsed. Sure, officially they had never been together but Domen couldn't deny his feelings. He had fucking loved Daniel! The fact that he dared to show up here now is unbelievable. Who even gave Daniel his hotel room number? Suddenly Domen just feels anger inside him, slowly rising to the top.

"I saw you fall and I felt so much anxiety in me, it was unbelievable. Of course, I saw you walking away but I just wanted to make sure you are okay," Daniel explains and Domen shrugs. He knows Daniel's history with falls and sure, it wasn't a nice fall but Daniel could stop pretending he cared about Domen. He had clearly shown that this wasn't the case.

Domen put his hands on his hips. "See, I'm in one piece, you can go now," he said in a gruff voice and Daniel sighs. "Look, I know I have been an asshole but I still care about you, you know." Domen huffs at that, rolling his eyes. As if that is the truth. Domen knows better now than to trust Daniel with anything.

Daniel takes a step towards Domen but he backs away. A look of hurt crosses Daniel's face but Domen does not care. Who does he think he is? "You should go now," Domen says again, more urgent this time. He needs Daniel out of his hotel room or he might do something stupid like yell at him or even worse, cry. That would be embarrassing.

"Domen, please. I am sorry, I know I have hurt you and I deserve it if you hate me. But I did what I did for us. How could it have worked between us with me being retired and you in new countries every weekend? We barely would have seen each other. But I realized just how much I have missed you. It deeply hurt me to not be able to hear your voice or see your laughter. I don't know what to do," Daniel confesses and Domen thinks he sees some tears starting to collect in Daniel's eyes. Domen deflates, all the anger suddenly gone. He understands Daniel's reasoning but he can't help but feel like Daniel could have handled it better. Daniel looks so small in Domen's hotel room and Domen believes what Daniel had said.

Still, he is unsure how to proceed now. First, he probably has to say something, right? "Thank you for explaining your reasoning. That's what I would have needed when you had ended it between us. Just an explanation and maybe a sorry," Domen says and shrugs. Daniel nods miserably. "I know, I was horrible."

At that Domen laughs, making Daniel jump slightly. "Oh yes, you were. You know, I told Peter what you have said. He wanted to fly over to Norway and kill you," Domen says and Daniel looks horrified. Well, he should be. An angry Peter is not something you want to deal with, Domen knows this from first-hand experience. He grins at Daniel and the Norwegian seems slowly to relax. "I'm glad he didn't, then," Daniel says and Domen answers, "Me too."

Now Daniel also smiles a little. Shyly he looks at the floor, before he asks, "May I hug you?" Domen considers it a little before he nods slowly. He still doesn't know how to feel, but deep down Domen feels that he wants to feel Daniel's arms around him. When Daniel slowly hugs him, Domen sinks into the embrace. It just feels good to be near Daniel again. Domen has missed this feeling more than anything. Maybe it will never be the same again, but what is happening right now is a step in the right direction.

[skijumper]

In the mood for writing some fanfictions....any suggestions?⛷️

[wie-sagt-man-noch]

Cinnamon Dream - #TeamSloveniaFic

Ho ho ho, it’s time to unwrap your gift, @skijumpinggirlforever 🎅 I wrote a short (well 1,8k but it’s under 2k which counts as short) fanfiction about your favorite Team - SLOVENIA  🎁 I hope you enjoy this silly story as much as I enjoyed writing it - have a merry christmas & lots of good food, nice gifts and an overall good holiday season ♥  (Since I couldn’t fit all jumpers in I picked seven, I hope that’s alright with you :) Also be aware that this is the first time I wrote a fic in english - if you spot any mistakes just hit me up and I’ll make sure to fix them ♥)

Cinnamon Dream [you can also read on ao3]

Starring: Timi Zajc, Domen Prevc, Peter Prevc, Jurij Tepes, Nejc Dezman, Tilen Bartol, Anze Semenic & Goran Janus

When Timi entered the big kitchen he was greeted by the nearly overwhelming smell of cinnamon. His teammates were talking, chanting christmas songs and... baking? At least they were preparing the kitchen to bake. 

Timi was confused. Very, very confused. After Goran called him an hour ago for an „important meeting“ he was worried that he might have to jump in the Continental Cup again or that someone was injured. He thought about nearly every logical and illogical explanation but never in his wildest dreams he would've guessed THIS.

Jurij was helping Tilen to tie an apron behind his back while Peter and Domen were arguing about... baking caps? Yes, they were definitely arguing about baking caps. Domens baking cap was red with little white dots while Peter wore a classic white one. Anze and Nejc lacked of the baking caps but they looked as ridiculous as everybody else in the kitchen with their reindeer ears.

“Ah, Timi – here you are!”, Goran exclaimed with a bright smile on his face. “Just in time, the others are already changed.”

“Changed for what exactly?”, Timi asked cautious and hoped that this chaos in front of him was just some twisted joke.

“For the baking contest we are holding every year. The winner gets to pick the theme of the next contest and wins the golden walnut.”

Timis eyes widened in disbelief.

“The golden walnut? You're kidding me.”

This cannot be real, Timi thought.

“Don't make fun of the walnut!”, Domen shouted, “this ain't a joke it's a serious competition which I'll win this year.” He sounded very confident while Peter next to his brother only rolled is eyes at him. “With this silly hat you wont win anything but the price for the ugliest accessory.”

“Oh my god, shut up. Yours is boring as hell. Look at the others, they have funny and creative accessorys – ey Jurij, I like your 'kiss the baker' apron by the way!”

Jurij nodded delighted, “thank you, my wife made it for this years competition.” His gaze shifted to Timi, “where's your accessory?”

Timi shrugged helplessly.

“Boys”, Goran interfered, “this is Timis first baking competition.”

“OOOOH”

“A newbie”

“That's so cool!”

“Don't worry this is gonna be so much fun”

Everyone was talking at the same time while Goran just padded Timis back. After the news settled in and the voices quieted down Goran chimed in.

“Since this is Timis first competition he gets the newbie accessory – the christmas hat. Here, your workplace is next to Jurij.” He gave Timi a worn out but still kinda red christmas hat and gestured in Jurijs direction.

With slow, unsure steps Timi made his way to Jurij who just smiled reassuring.

“Attention everybody, here are the rules:

First: You'll have two hours to create christmas pastries – it doesn't matter if you bake cookies, a cake, gingerbread etcetera as long as

Secondly: this years theme “cinnamon dream”, chosen by the last years winner Peter, is fulfilled.

Thirdly: Only the newbie gets help from the oldest contestant if needed.

Fourth: You have to create your christmas pastry without a recipe and

Fifth: Have fun and bake fair!

Without further ado the competition starts – NOW.”

Baking utensils and ingredients were grabbed, christmas music started to fill the room and everybody was focusing on their baking project. Timi couldn't help himself but watch his teammates silently and disbelieving. The christmas hat was still clutched in his right hand while Domen measured the flour. His tongue was sticking out just a tiny bit, which made Peter laugh who was busy choosing a bowl. Tilen arranged his ingredients idly, Anze was already kneading something and Nejc starred confused at two bags of shredded nuts.

“Have you ever baked?”

Jurijs voice interrupted Timis thoughts.

“Sorry”, Timi muttered “I was... distracted. I – with my mom,  me and my mom bake every christmas.”

“That's great”, Jurij said cheerfully, “then you know the basics. This years theme is cinnamon, make sure to use a good amount of it. You should start, by the way, we're already 15 minutes in the competition. Also,” he grabbed the christmas hat from Timis hand and putted it on the younger ones head, “you forgot this one. Not wearing an accessory leads to disqualifcation. And if you have any questions just go ahead and ask me.”

Timi nodded quickly and Jurij was off to his dough he had made in the meantime.

Last Christmas blasted on the radio and Timi decided that thinking about what was happening right now wont help. Maybe he's just dreaming and need's to play along (a small voice in his head whispered that he wasn't creative enough to make something like this up).

Since cinnamon dream is what this was all about Timi made up his mind quickly and opted for german cinnamon star cookies, his favorite christmas cookies.

He gathered all the ingredients he needed and preheated the oven. After Timi whisked the egg whites with the lemon juice he slowly mixed the icing sugar in. In his mind he repeats everything his mother said about baking those cinnamon stars while he putted the almonds, ginger, cinnamon and the lemon zest in three quarters of the mixture. Thankfully no egg shells dropped in the mixture like the last time his mother and him were baking them. Separating the egg white from the yolk isn't that easy and the extra crunch... well, at least it had been funny.

“What are you baking?”

Domen and Nejc stood in front of his aisle, looking fairly skeptical.

“Cinnamon stars.”

Timi looked up from his bowl, after a short pause he added, “and you guys?”

In his mind he also asked since when his teammates were baking and why everyone seemed so delighted and eager to win this baking thing.

“Well, I make cinnamon gingerbread and Nejc is baking plain cinnamon cookies”, Domen answered shrugging.

“Plain?? May I remind you that your cake from last year was the epitome of plain?”

“Only because Peter was hiding the vanilla, so I wouldn't win. I already told you that!”

“You didn't find it, Domen, because you were busy trying to sabotage everyone else. Peter won because his hazelnut roll cookies were the best. Get over it.”

“That's...”, Domen seemed surprised by this call out, “okay, maybe that's true. But this time I'm only asking because I'm curious!”

Nejc smiled softly while touching Domens upper arm slightly, “I know.”

The smell of burned dough filled up the air and interrupted the scene in front of Timi.

“Shit”, Anze shouted from the other side of the kitchen. A sad, black lump lay on his table. Nejc and Domen rushed over to their teammate. While Nejc tried to calm him down Domen seemed truly concerned as he poked in the black lump.

“Every year”, Jurij mumbled next to Timi, “every year Anze burns whatever he's making.”

At first Timi wanted to ask how this is even possible but after he let his gaze shift and everyone except for Nejc and Domen seemed unfazed he decided to focus on his own baking. This whole thing was ridiculous enough as it was.

After he rolled out his dough and cutted the star-shaped cookies out he placed them on a prepared baking tray. The dough had been a little stickier than it usually was but without the exact measurements in mind that was most likely to happen.

Lastly Timi spread a small amount of the egg mixture he didn't use for the cookie dough on top of every little star and putted the tray in the oven.

Thankfully no other incidents except for Anzes happened in the last thirty minutes of the baking contest. Everyone placed their result on a large wooden table and stood behind his own christmas pastry. Next to Timis cinnamon-stars were Jurijs banana-cinnamon bread followed by cinnamon rolls from Peter, Domens cinnamon gingerbread, Nejc's cinnamon cookies, the black cinnamon lump from Anze and last but not least Tilens cinnamon-twists.

“Now its time to elect the winner of this years baking contest.”, Goran declared solemnly.

“Please keep in mind that this years theme was 'cinnamon dream' – if the recipe doesn't taste like cinnamon it can't win the competition. Now, everyone has one vote to pick is favorite cinnamon pastry. Of course me, Bertoncelj and Jarc will also vote. To vote all you have to do is to place your christmas accessory in the box behind the recipe of your choice.”  

Timi just rolled with it and tried all of his teammates creations. Silently he wonders if all of his teammates forgot that they were in the middle of the ski jumping season but of course he would never say no to free sweets.

Peters cinnamon rolls and surprisingly Domens cinnamon gingerbread were the best pastries in Timis opinion. Since Peters rolls tasted slightly more like cinnamon than Domens gingerbread he voted for them in the end. Shortly after him the others voted as well and got back behind their creation. Goran positioned himself on the left side of table, right where Tilens box stood.

“All the votes are in, so lets start. Tilen got.... no vote.”

Tilen seemed not surprised at all just as Anze, whose burned lump also hadn't got any vote.

“Nejc got... ONE vote. Peter got”, suddenly it was really silent in the room, “TWO votes.”

A shocked expression formed on Peters face but Goran moved on to Domens box without commenting on it. “Domen got THREE votes.”

A joyful scream escaped Domen who jumped in Nejc's arms. “I got more votes than Peter, oh my god. Thank you guys, thank you!!!” Shortly after that Domen got back to his place with the biggest grin on his face. His brother next to him nudged his shoulder and... smiled  proudly at him. Timi released the breath he was holding in, thank god the Prevc's didn't start a fight over winning is goddamn baking competition.

“Moving on, Jurij got no vote which means that”, everyone in the room looked at Timi, “Timi got FOUR votes and is the winner of this years baking competition! Congrats, Timi!”

If Timi thought that it was silent right before Peters votes were announced than he didn't know how he should describe what happened at this moment. No one said a word, shock and disbelief were written over the faces of his teammates.

Jurij was the first one after Goran who said something.

“Timi”, he announced with watery eyes, “you're the first who won this contest the first time he participated after myself many years ago. I'm so proud of you!”

Then Timi found himself in tight hug in Jurijs arms. Applause erupted, someone whistled and Timi just stood there, trapped in a tight hug, his mind blank.

Shortly after that Jurij released him so all the others could hugged and congratulate him as well. Goran gave him the golden walnut which was in fact a walnut with golden spray paint on it.

If someone would've told Timi that any of this would happen this day he would've laughed his ass off. Now he was standing in a big kitchen, a golden walnut in his hand and his teammates by his side who acted like he just won his first World Cup.

Merry christmas, he thought to himself.

Merry fucking christmas.

________________________  I may or may not ship Domen & Nejc (sorry not sorry) a tiny bit but ofc it can be read as a 100% platonic friendship.  A huge thanks @whereisyourpippinnow for organizing this lovely secret santa thingy - you’re awesome!  Last but not least I’m glad I was challenged to write something in english, I always putted it off because I thought “THATS NEVER GOING TO BE GOOD ENOUGH” - well, it was fun and now that I know what I can do atm I can only improve from here :)