Chapter Text
It starts like any other case that lands on NXX’s table. Well, maybe not every case. If hanging around the team has taught Luke anything, it’s that they attract situations of increasingly innovative flavors. So any case that lands on their table is never quite like its brethren; however, if NXX has jurisdiction, Luke knows for a fact X03A is involved in some shape or form. Which is fine; the only reason he joined this team in the first place was because he had a personal investment in the whole thing. If he’d known it would end up shortening his already short life though, past him would have seriously considered not joining.
No, that is a lie. Past Luke would have joined anyway because dying in two years and leaving Alyss to shoulder all that pain is something he’d never forgive himself for. And just waiting to die had never sat well with him.
(he’s kidding about the shortening of life part just a little. Marius really is not good for his blood pressure.)
His temples are pounding and the only thing preventing him from pulling his hair out is the sole knowledge that he’d be playing right into the other party’s hands if he did so. Damn Marius. Also damn him for knowing Luke so well. Manipulation is not a pretty look on anyone and fuck if Luke isn’t pissed that Marius knows how to play his cards so well. The man is right though, there is no way any of them are going to let Alyss act as bait. In addition, as their lovely bastard of a psychiatrist had pointed out, Luke and Marius actually fit the bill well enough it’d be a waste to not partner together for this. Marius has the invitation. Luke has the expertise. Vyn and Artem are technically just as qualified for the logistical side, but there is no arguing that Luke holds the undeniable edge in physical prowess. Even if the chronic side effects of an incurable disease are currently wreaking havoc internally.
(Luke would have thought a slow deterioration would be more painful than this. Surprisingly, he feels no different now than he did when he first got the diagnosis. For someone technically terminally ill, most wouldn’t believe it without his medical records in front of them. He’s been on first name terms with the reaper for a while now. He just …
Well, he just likes to pretend he doesn’t see the scythe creeping closer more often than most.)
“Let me get this straight,” he sighs, and really, props to Alyss he’s learned to not snipe at the smug smirk on Marius’ face, “it’s an exclusive event. For the CEO of Pax and his plus one. And I am going as your plus one.”
The smug smile morphs into a grin bordering on shit eating, “So I have been saying for the past hour. Yes.”
This fucker. He’s lucky Alyss has been kicking at Luke’s leg during the entire exchange; both a quiet warning and a balm on his ever shortening patience, “And as I have been saying for the same amount of time, why your plus one and not, oh I don’t know, literally anything else?”
Luke doesn’t deal much with the media. At least not to the extent of Alyss and even less when compared to the other three big shots in the room, but even he knows once a story is out, the news will be drawn to it like sharks after spilt blood. Marius might be completely fine; there were perks to being the face of a ridiculously powerful corporation, after all, but Luke would not be. The nature of his line of work required a degree of anonymity. Flinging himself out as Marius von Hagen’s newest arm candy to an exclusive gathering of powerful people was beyond asking for trouble. He might as well stomp into his next assignment with nothing but the clothes on his back. Of course, the agency he worked under could suppress news as well as Pax did, but it’d be suspicious. Marius was single enough to be blasted on scandal headlines. Nothing would attract the metaphorical sharks in the water more than the infamous heir appearing at an exclusive event with a date. Especially if said date was someone like Luke, who might as well have crawled out of the gutter in the media’s eyes to hang off of Stellis’ favorite new CEO.
“Luke,” oh no, it’s Alyss. Marius has somehow convinced his dearest friend of this fiasco and Luke is so screwed, “Marius already said a plus one would have more freedom than any other position he can offer.”
“He did have a good point earlier though,” it’s Vyn this time. If Luke were still in any right state of mind, he’d immediately find it suspicious that it is Vyn suddenly speaking up, especially since the doctor has taken a liking to just watching exchanges like this lately. His last brain cell is still trying to wrap its way around the atrocity Marius just proposed though so Luke thinks he can be excused for not having his guard up. Vyn continues, completely ignoring the meltdown occurring, “there is not a convincing reason you would take Luke instead of someone else. Out of the five of us, the two of you have the least public interaction.”
Marius frowns and opens his mouth. Vyn barrels over him and Luke suddenly has a very delayed feeling of dread.
“So, in order for this to work, the two of you need to build a convincing narrative.”
Fuck. Maybe he should have just stayed home today. There were other cases he could be handling. Instead, he’s here. And although it’s sweet sweet karma watching Marius lose that infernal smirk, the victory is much less satisfying when Luke knows they’re both in the fire. Unfortunately, both Alyss and Artem agree and while Luke couldn’t give half a flying fuck what Artem Wing thought in this situation, he’s always been a sucker for Alyss’ large green eyes. Especially when they’re turned to him like this, brimming pale sunlight through spring leaves. Marius melts under the same stare, and they’re both well and truly fucked.
“One week,” Artem tells them, shuffling his papers, looking for all the world like he is delivering his words to a jury and not towards two idiots very much out of their depth, “you both have one week to convince everyone Marius von Hagen wouldn’t bring anyone but Luke Pearce to the event.”
“I’ll help with the psychological aspect.” Vyn chimes in that gentle tone of his, as if Luke doesn’t know the evil behind that benign smile. He knew he should have dragged Alyss out of here the moment he saw her at the table with all these wolves carefully tucked underneath lamb skins. The doctor’s next words only add fuel to the fire, “Unless of course, you can’t do it.”
That seals it. Last nail in the coffin. Straw that breaks the camel’s back. Both Luke and Marius are too proud to back down from a blatant challenge like that. They agree to the plan in one swoop.