Ryan had been through a long and hard week and it had only just begun. He spent countless hours on his phone making calls, and then looking at new apartments that he could possibly keep—not with ill intent to keep away from Ashton, but to have since he did like to own his own space where he could exhale and lounge about. While house hunting and contacting the best movers, and his agent, he haf also been looking into his family's company for anything remotely suspicious that would alert him to worry over his father's business dealings.

"You've been rather quiet. Is that normal, Ryan?"

He hummed when he heard Ashton speaking. "Normal? Oh, don't mind me, I just have a lot on my mind. Nothing to worry over."

"In what way?" he asked.

"What do you want to know, Ashton? There's been a question you've wanting to ask me that's been nagging at you since we left my house. Go on, ask it... I'll answer you honestly."

Ashton glanced over to him then looked back to the road as he drove. He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling softly at the mere thought of asking him what he really wanted to know. "Alright then, you've been worried about something since we met. You've been distant and as much as I've just met you, I do see through your worries. Can you please tell me what's going on in your head right now?"

He sighed. "Pure maelstrom... a disaster of aimless plagues on my thoughts. My father's reasons are worrisome, Ashton—just like yours. I don't understand this arrangement, this, this union has more to do with us, but here we are being married off to each other without no clue as to why." He sighed. "It's fucking madness. Your father might be well be the one who began this madness. He's more big business than mine and something is definitely going on. Me, I'm concerned that this has more to do with us than we realize."

Ashton's eyes met Ryan's for a second before he began to look for the next exit. "I'm not crazy to worry am I, Ashton?"

"No... let's discuss this once we're home. I would like to give you my full attention on this topic."

Ryan ran his tongue over his top row of teeth and nodded. "The sun's setting." He noted. "Time passes rather quick doesn't it?" His tone was somber as he leaned back in his seat, eyes focusing on Ashton and the soft colors of the sunset that danced on his skin. "Do you know how handsome you are, Ashton? Like a wonderful sculpture made from the most patient hands."

Ashton was thankful that the sun masked his blush otherwise Ryan would most definitely have every right to tease him like he had before. He gulped, his Adam's apple bobbing as he did so.

"Your reckless flirting will garner you many complications."

"Hmm, and how am I certain that those complications won't be a thrilling game for me?"

Ashton replied. "You're very quick at changing your tone, you flirt to ignore important conversation don't you?"

"Not at all... but only those that unsettle me... our father's unsettle me, and they should unsettle you just the same. I've not had the pleasure of having someone else match my hand but you surely are quite observant."

Ashton chuckled. "As observant as you are, Ryan. You notice just as much as I do, if not more. Correct?" Ashton's eyes met a smirk when he turned, and he chuckled again. "And I am. Thank you, by the way, for the compliment. Most persons dislike my observations after they begin to converse with me."

Ryan shrugged. "Eh, it's only because you're disinterested in small talk. It bores you, and you rapidly lose care for whoever is attempting to wheel you in with it, correct?"

The car jerked suddenly as Ashton clenched his jaw. "Fuck me. You're a fox."

"Thank you." He said, putting on that very smile that made Ashton stare at him for a second too long. "I appreciate you realizing it."

"How could you possibly catch on to my mannerisms so quickly?"

"You engage with me more when I keep you guessing, that is how I figured out that you bore easily." Ryan said with a touch of his lips, his finger tracing along his smile. "You're seeded with a deeper hunger than you may not know of, but I see it."

"Huh, the mind of an artist maybe, or the mind of an insightful man?" Ashton asked.

"Why not both?"

Ashton chuckled, slowing down as they reached the beautiful mansion that had tall black metal fence that only a madman would dare climb and large black gates that opened as he swiped a keycard. "Excellent." Ryan muttered.

"You'll get yours once we're inside."

"Oh, grand, I can't wait." He said leaning against the window, his eyes still on Ashton as he drove into his yard, the driveway curving around a beautifully designed fountain. "Quite the one for a show, eh? I'm right about your father aren't I?" Ryan asked. "From earlier, when I—"

"Yes... yes, you are. I was roped into this without permisson also." He parked and left the car. He retrieved the bags from the trunk and stood before the large black double doors to his home as Ryan did the same. "And no, I don't like this." Ashton deadpanned, shaking his head as Ryan regarded him with woe.

"Alright, I'm tired, can we get inside?"

Ashton unlocked the door then bent to pick up the bags of Ryan as he walked inside. He had never been so happy to be home, but the pit in his stomach was hardening with uneasy. He was appalled by their fathers actions. He set the bags down near the staircase after the foyer and sighed. Ryan on the other hand consumed all that he saw of Ashton's home. The entry way consisted of white marble, with gold and black touches to the tops and ends of the pillars,  The gold pillars that stood between the staircases magnificent giants that welcomed him. The white stairs that hugged the walls and their black rails that lined them. "Gorgeous." He uttered. There were paintings from artists that Ryan had worked with, their distinct styles resurfacing as his eyes climbed up the walls and the base of the walls.

"Stuck?" Ashton asked.

"All these wonderful pieces?" Ryan's blue eyes were lifted to the walls.

"I told you before, I've been to many galleries."

"Why stuck?" Ryan asked.

"Huh?"

Ryan finally let his eyes find Ashton's calm face. "You said stuck, not lost, implying that I was captured by something instead of curious about it enough to wander... I want to ask why, but I think I already know why."

"Yes, how fox-like you are, come now. There'll be enough to see later. You said you were tired, right?" Ashton asked even if he didn't wait to see if Ryan followed him, because he had already begun walking back to where he had set the bags.

"Did I?" He asked, taking up his bags again. "I very much like seeing the decor of your house. Who designed it?"

"I did. And I feel inclined to be offended by that, but I'll take it as a way of you complimenting me."

Ryan chuckled nervously, "Sorry for implying otherwise."

"It's no bother, no one ever expects me to know how to design, because no one cares to think that a business man like me could be fashionable."

Ryan smirked. "Oh honey, I think you're quite fashionable. Oh, c'mon Ash, I mean Ashton. Most people don't think beyond their first initial perception of a person. Don't take it so hard. I'm honestly elated that you have a sense of style."

Ashton chuckled as they made their way up the stairs, and to the right to Ashton's master bedroom. "Normally, I'd guide you to the guest room, but we are betrothed... so, I don't mind you staying in my bedroom... unless that unsettles you."

"It doesn't. I even actually thought that you'd be opposed to having me in the same room as you. We're still strangers, Ashton." He said pointing out the obvious so that Ashton clearly knew his thoughts.

"I'm not interested in being married, but we're both in this situation, so sooner or later, we won't be strangers, so there's really no need to live like such." He fussed slightly. "Are you going directly to bed?" Ashton asked.

"I was thinking of it."

Ashton nodded. "Great, then I'll join you in few, keep the light on for me."

"Alright."

Ashton pushed in his bedroom door and walked inside, Ryan right on his heels.

"Look Ashton," he said setting the bags down, "I'm not here to be a nuisance, but if you have anything that displeases you, please don't hesitate to tell me. We're both in the same boat here."

The older man bit the inside of his mouth, feeling a tinge of guilt at hearing Ryan's tone. He sounded reluctant. Sighing out loudly Ashton combed a hand back through his hair and tugged the knot in his tie down and away as he removed it. He looked back up to see Ryan's face set. Ashton actually chuckled at that. "Ryan, I'm sorry for how this whole situation is going... these past days were just so bloody stressful, I had to accept a marriage that I hadn't planned for and a new fiancé—this wasn't one of my best weeks. I'm sorry again, but I do want you to know that I'm willing to give this a chance. I just don't think that I'll be forgetting my father's words any time soon... he didn't even inquire about the business deal that I closed recently."

It was Ryan's turn to sigh at Ashton. "I forgive you, and I'm sorry too. For having to be subjected to this marriage in such a short time." Ryan said scratching the back of his head. "What deal did you close today?"

Ashton shook his head. "This firm manager, his company was near bankruptcy and it was so difficult to convince them that a buy out would be better than filing for something so humiliating. I finally broke through with them today and we both walked away happy with our deal. My father had been trying to close that deal for nearly three years... I did it in three months." A smile ghosted over Ashton's lips and Ryan caught it before Ashton moved away from him to move to his walk-in closet.

"Ashton, that's great, congratulations. And no offense, but your father is an ass, and our fathers are both idiots. They do what they do and we, well, we can only abide by their outrageous request. Oh, and I saw that smile mister."

"What smile?" Ashton asked playfully.

"The one you flashed me while I was admiring your distasteful style." Ryan smiled.

"I don't recall such a thing. Maybe you're just tired. You should go rest." Ashton suggested.

Ryan smirked at Ashton, nodding at his statement.