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Falcon Graves stood at attention in Mark Beaks' gleaming office, trying to maintain his professional demeanor despite his racing heart. The tech CEO had called him in for what he claimed was an "urgent security consultation," but was now pacing dramatically in front of his floor-to-ceiling windows.
"So here's the thing, Graves-y," Mark spun around, fidgeting with his smartphone. "I need a date for this huge tech conference next week. Like, a really impressive date. Someone who screams 'security' and 'competence' and all that boring stuff investors love."
Falcon raised an eyebrow. "And this concerns me because...?"
"Because!" Mark bounded over, looking up at him with those eager eyes that always made Falcon's stern resolve waver. "You're perfect! The whole strong, silent, super-professional thing you've got going on? It's exactly what I need to look more legitimate to these old-school investors."
"You want me to... pretend to date you?" Falcon kept his voice steady, despite the way his pulse quickened at the suggestion.
"Just for the conference! Come on, it'll be fun! Plus, I'll double your usual security fee." Mark's grin was infectious, even as Falcon tried to resist it.
"This is highly irregular, Mr. Beaks."
"When has that ever stopped us before?" Mark winked, and Falcon felt his resolve crumbling.
The conference itself was exactly as overwhelming as Falcon had expected. Mark flitted from conversation to conversation, one hand always finding its way to Falcon's arm or back, casual touches that felt anything but casual to the security expert who had been harboring feelings for his eccentric client for months.
"You're doing great," Mark whispered during a brief moment alone. "Those venture capitalists totally bought it when you glared at that guy who tried to pitch me his startup in the bathroom."
"I wasn't acting," Falcon muttered. "He was a security risk."
Mark laughed, the sound making Falcon's heart skip. "See? This is why you're perfect for this!"
The evening was winding down when Mark dragged Falcon onto a quiet balcony overlooking the city. The tech mogul was practically vibrating with nervous energy.
"So, funny story," Mark began, actually setting his phone down for once. "I may have had an ulterior motive for this whole fake dating thing."
Falcon's breath caught. "Oh?"
"Yeah, see, I've kind of been trying to figure out how to ask you out for real. But you're always so... professional. And I'm me. So I thought maybe if we pretended first..." Mark trailed off, looking uncharacteristically uncertain.
Before Falcon could respond, an investor appeared at the balcony door. Without thinking, Mark grabbed Falcon's tie, pulled him down, and kissed him. It was meant to be for show, but the moment their lips met, both men forgot about their audience.
When they finally broke apart, the investor was long gone. Mark's usual confident smile was back, but softer somehow.
"So," he said, "want to try that again? For real this time?"
For the first time that evening, Falcon let himself smile. "I suppose that would be an acceptable investment of my time."