"You look great." Brendon told Patrick for the tenth time.

There was no way he could go wrong in a classic black suit. He'd decided against wearing a tie or bowtie. Instead leaving the top two buttons undone.

They were on their way to Gerard's black and white ball. Pete and Ryan were being driven by Jefferson. Patrick wanted to drive his brand new car there. So he decided to pick up Brendon on the way.

Brendon was wearing a simple black tux with a white bowtie. He was wearing sparking, red gloves. It was flamboyantly Brendon. Patrick had gone for the simple and less showy design.

They pulled up to the front of the party. A man around Patrick's age stepped in to take the keys and park the car. Patrick looked around the outside area for Pete.

He wasn't hard to spot. And that was mainly because of Ryan. He was wearing a bright red tux with a butterfly shaped bag. Pete was in his usual black suit. Except tonight he was wearing a black button up to match the all black shoes. All black. All dangerous. All sexy.

They met half way. Patrick automatically taking Pete's hand. Ryan resting his hand on the small of Brendon's back. But Brendon didn't complain as they entered the grand ballroom.

Gerard and Mikey approached them immediately. Gerard dressed similar to Pete. Mikey wearing all white. Which was ironic considering how unpure everything about him was.

"Our guest of honor have finally arrived." Gerard joked.

"You look good, Petey."

"Thank you." He tightened his hand around Patrick's. "Gerard, Mikey, this is my boyfriend, Patrick."

"So nice to meet you." Gerard shook Patrick's hand. "I've heard great things."

"They're all lies." Patrick told him.

Everyone laughed. Everyone except Mikey. He glared at Patrick.

"So you're the lucky bastard that snagged my billionaire."

"Excuse me?"

"Mikey." Gerard chastised his younger brother. "Play nice."

"I'll try." He smiled an obviously fake smile.

"Are we going to discuss business tonight?"

"I like that you don't beat around the bush, Ross."

"I just don't like to waste time, Gee."

"I understand that." Gerard nodded and then cleared his throat. "I don't think we have much to discuss. I obviously want to sell to Pete."

Pete smiled at Gerard. He didn't think it was going to be this easy. He squeezed Patrick's hand again. Patrick squeezed back and faked a reassuring smile.

It's not that he wasn't happy for Pete. Really, he was. He just remembered the reason he was here in the first place. He was only here to kill the rumors that were causing problems in the big deal Pete was trying to make with the Ways. And when the deal was made, his job was done. He and Pete were done. He felt his heart sinking.

"Let's talk numbers, Way." Ryan removed his hand from Brendon's back. "Walk with me."

Gerard and Ryan walked off into the crowd. Pete didn't bother to follow. He trusted Ryan completely when it came to business. And he knew if Ryan needed him, he wouldn't hesitate to call him over.

"So, you two look happy." Mikey observed.

"We are." Pete was impassive.

"Have you given any thought to my personal offer, Petey?"

"What personal offer?" Brendon asked the question before Patrick could.

"Personal implies that it's between Pete and I."

"Yes, but you mentioned it in front of my friend and I. And because he and Pete are dating, I think he has a right to know what personal offered are being made with his boyfriend."

"I'm sorry, but who even are you?" Mikey rolled his eyes.

"I'm someone who can kick your ass. So I suggest you watch it."

"Excuse you?" Mikey gasped.

"No. Excuse you."

"I don't think you know who you're talking to." Mikey didn't back down. "I can have you thrown out of here so fast that your head would spin."

"Listen, I don't give a single fuck about who you think you are. Because I've got a dark alley and a bad idea that says you should shut your fucking mouth." Brendon's voice was low and calm. Mikey's eyes widened at the words. "Goodbye."

And to Pete's surprise, Mikey walked away. Without even muttering another word.

Patrick could have kissed Brendon in that moment. He had no idea how much longer he even had with Pete. He might even have to leave tomorrow. He didn't want to spend that time worrying about Pete with someone else. He wanted to spend it holding Pete. Kissing Pete. Making love to Pete.

"Thank you for that." Pete told Brendon.

"No problem. I've wanted to say something to that little shit ever since I saw him eye raping you at Patrick's art showing."

"That was him?"

"You saw that?" Pete asked. Patrick nodded. "Why didn't you ask me about it."

He shrugged. "It wasn't a big deal."

"I'm going to get a drink and let you guys talk. Do you want one Patrick?"

"No."

Pete tried to hide his surprised expression. That was one of his worries for this night. That Patrick would get shit faced and they'd have to leave early again. But clearly Patrick wasn't in the mood to drink.

Pete pulled Patrick near the dance floor. He wasn't much of a dancer. But he could use it as an excuse to be closer to Patrick.

He wrapped his arms around the smaller man's waist. Pulling him as close as he could. Patrick wrapped his arms around Pete's neck. Resting his head on his shoulder. They didn't really dance. They just swayed back and forth holding each other.

Patrick turned to press his nose against Pete's neck. He inhaled deeply, taking in his scent. Trying to memorize it for when he was no longer around. The thought put a lump in Patrick's throat. Tears burned his eyes. But he shut them quickly before the tears had a chance to spill over.

Pete noticed his shaky breaths. He looked down at the pained expression on Patrick's face.

"Hey." He used his hand to lift Patrick's face up. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Bull shit. Look at me." He said softly.

Patrick opened his watering eyes to stare into Pete's curious ones.

"S-Sorry."

"What did I say? You don't have to apologize for crying."

"Can we leave?" He wanted to take Pete home and spend as long as he could in bed with him.

"We can do whatever you want. Is there a reason you want to leave? Did Mikey upset you?"

"No. I just want to be with you. And only you for as long as I can."

Panic filled Pete but he didn't let it show. Was Patrick trying to leave him? His arms tightened around his waist. As if holding him closer would make it impossible for the younger man to leave.

"W-Why do you say that?"

"Because I'm temporary. I was only here to help make a deal and the deal is being made. You don't need me anymore"

Pete sighed. That's what he meant. He was so relieved that a laugh escaped.

"I'm glad you think its funny." Patrick's expression turned cold. He moved his arms away from Pete but Pete didn't let go.

"I don't."

"It may not seem like a big deal to you but I love you, Pete. It's going to hurt when I have to leave."

Pete silenced him by smashing his lips against his. Of course Patrick melted into the kiss.

"Shut up." Pete whispered when their lips parted.

"I love you, Pete." Patrick said again. Begging Pete to say it back with his eyes. But Pete didn't respond. "I-I don't want to go." He said lower.

Pete kissed him again.

"Good. Because I wasn't letting you leave."