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Sugar drags Arsene out of the crowd and into the mansion’s back garden. He takes a deep breath of the night’s cool air and looks back to Arsene, who is avoiding his gaze.
“Arsene?” Sugar asks as he tries to read Arsene’s features. The light catches his eye when he looks back at Sugar. With a smile, he raises their intertwined hands, not saying a word but obviously mocking Sugar. Sugar pulls back his hand. “Remind me why I try to help you.”
“Maybe you’re going soft for me.” He says charmingly.
“Keep dreaming.” Sugar starts walking down the stone path, hoping the dark is hiding his flushed face as he hears Arsene follow close behind him. Sugar tries to change the subject. “You seemed a little off during the party. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I always thought you were the one social between us.”
He hears Arsene breathe a laugh. “I suppose I am, but I was a little busy watching you please those rich socialites. Here I thought you hated all of them.”
Sugar almost shivers at the reminder. He has never had his cheeks hurt more from smiling. “Regardless, I’m glad we managed a decent impression on all of them. I doubt they’ll question my relationship anymore.”
“I’m always open for another date if they aren’t convinced.” Sugar could feel Arsene's grin from behind him.
“Don’t jinx it. I’m as delighted as you are that this is over.”
“Really? I didn’t think it was that bad.”
Sugar scoffs. “It wasn’t, for me, that is. I’ve never seen you look more uncomfortable in the six years I’ve known you.” The wind rustles the trees as they pass. Sugar strains his ears to hear a response, but Arsene stays silent. Worryingly, Sugar stops and looks back at him. “Wait... were you actually uncomfortable?”
Arsene lets out a defeated sigh. “I guess you hit the nail on the head.” He scratches the back of his neck, looking away from Sugar. “I didn’t exactly feel welcome, but the discomfort was a small price for a well-performed act.”
Sugar, to his surprise, actually began to feel bad. Sure, he was paying Arsene to do this, but the last thing he wanted was to make him uncomfortable. “You could have just left at any moment, you know.”
“No, I couldn’t.”
Sugar waits for Arsene to elaborate, but he doesn’t. "I’m not petty enough to ask for the money back if you-”
“This isn’t about the money.” Sugar almost flinches at Arsene’s tone. He watches Arsene, waiting for him to clarify what was wrong. Why would Arsene sit through his discomfort instead of excusing himself? Should he have been more conscious of Arsene? “Well,” Arsene says finally. “I guess it doesn’t really matter now that the deal is over.”
Sugar feels something prick at his chest. He pulls out his phone to check the time and fails to hold back his smile. “Unfortunately for you, it isn’t midnight yet.” He shows the 11:58 time to Arsene triumphantly. “And your fake boyfriend wants to know what he could have done better.”
Arsene squints, Sugar’s phone screen highlighting the mild annoyance on his face. He sighs. “My fake boyfriend doesn’t need to be better.”
“Oh, is that flattery?” Sugar says mockingly, happy to have the upper hand, even if it was for a few more seconds.
“Sugar-”
“Are you saying I’m the perfect fake boyfriend then?"
"Don't twist my words-"
"Maybe you really are sad this is e-”
Sugar freezes as Arsene leans in to kiss him. He watches light reflect off Arsene’s eyelashes as he opens his eyes to look back at Sugar. Arsene closes his eyes again, holding Sugar’s head in place, and leans closer.
Sugar couldn't catch up with his thoughts. Was this still a part of the deal? But he doesn't see Arsene this way... Does he? He closes his eyes and leans into Arsene. He feels Arsene's mouth open against his and he short circuits. Fifty dollars, a night of people pleasing, and this is where it got him. The worst part of it all was he was praying to whoever would listen that Arsene wouldn't pull back, that this moment wouldn’t end.
But whatever listening must hate him—the alarm on his phone buzzes and Arsene pulls back from the kiss. Sugar quickly mutes the alarm, still in Arsene’s arms, but the moment was gone. Arsene drops his arms, and Sugar feels his heart drop along with them.
"Your fake boyfriend was just... a little jealous. But who am I to expect more out of this?" Arsene gives Sugar a sad smile. "It was a fun night." He grabs Sugar's hand and shoves something into it before turning away. "Bye, Labelle.”
Words catch in his throat as he watches Arsene leave. What would he even say? His thoughts are going a mile a second. His legs are glued to the ground.
When Arsene is finally out of sight, he looks down at the bills in his hand and takes a shaky breath.
“This... is more than what I gave you.”