Archive of Our Own ^beta

Curt was in the library of the mansion of some rich oligarch whose name he had already forgotten. He’d been sent here to plant bugs in the man’s house so the A.S.S. could listen in on what he was up to, and thus far he’d planted them in every important room he’d managed to find. Now he was alone in the library looking for a good place to plant his last two.

He stuck the one in his hand to the underside of the coffee table as he heard the door begin to open then quickly moved himself away from it, facing the bookshelves so whomever was entering would think he was simply admiring the vast book collection this mansion housed.

“Looking for something to keep you entertained during this bore of a party?” the newcomer asked.

Curt turned around faster than he should have. He knew that voice.

“Curt? What a pleasant surprise. I didn’t think I’d get to see you for another couple weeks, love. What are you doing here?”

He held the bug in the air with one hand and used his other to put a finger to his lips, hoping Owen would realize and not say anything else that might incriminate them. One instance of “love” would hopefully go unremarked on, but anything past that…

Nevermind the fact that he was technically undercover. This entire conversation would definitely be listened to carefully because Owen wasn’t supposed to recognize Curt under his disguise. But of course he did, he’s Owen. A wig and some heavy makeup was never going to be enough to fool him.

Owen’s eyes went wide with understanding, and he nodded. “I’m so sorry,” he tried to correct his earlier words. “For a moment I thought you were someone else. I’ve had a few too many drinks tonight, I think.”

“Nice to meet you. Like you said, I’m looking for something to read.”

Owen rolled his eyes. They both knew Curt hadn’t read a book since he was in high school, and even then he’d only skimmed them.

“Well, if you’d like to escape the party entirely, there’s a bar not terribly far from here.” Owen ran his hand up Curt’s arm.

They would certainly not make it to any bar. Curt knew Owen well enough that they’d be going straight to his hotel room and fucking like rabbits until one of them had to leave.

“I thought you said you’d had enough to drink.”

“Is there even such a thing?” Owen teased.

“There is when you wake up the next morning.”

Curt placed the bug inside the light fixture that hung from the ceiling. It was slightly visible, but it looked like it was simply part of the wiring of the lights. He doubted anyone paid enough attention to notice it.

Owen gave Curt a thumbs up, approving his placement of the device.

Curt smiled and followed him out of the room to somewhere they wouldn’t be overheard.