The next morning, Satoshi wakes up two minutes before his alarm. Looking around his room, he tries to figure out why it feels slightly off. Everything looks to be in order, but he knows something's wrong. Why else would he wake up early?

Once again, there is a light knock on his door. Getting up, Sato goes to open the door. On the other side is a timid Lucius. “How can I help you, Luce?”

“I really didn't want to take you up on your offer so soon, but…. I need a boyfriend for a few days. You see, I have a new coworker who's harassing me so I told her I had a boyfriend but she doesn't believe me. I just need you to make some appearances so she knows you're real and then she should stop. Please, I'll do whatever you want in return.”

“Lunch. I'll do it if you make me lunch for the duration of the time I am pretending to be your boyfriend. Also, to make it more believable, I will be treating you like we really are dating so I expect you to do the same.”

“I already usually make you lunches. Are you sure there isn't anything else I can do to repay you?”

“I don't really need any kind of payment and the food you make is really good. Plus, it makes sense that you would make lunch for your boyfriend so it adds another layer of believability to the ruse. Now, when do you work today?”

“Why would you want to know that?”

“Because if I'm going to visit you at work, I need to make sure you're actually going to be there.”

“Oh, right. I'm heading to work in twenty minutes. That's why I wanted to talk to you now instead of waiting for you to come out. Sorry if I woke you. Anyways, my shift finishes up around four unless I have to work extra.” Satoshi checks his schedule for the day.

“Okay, then I'll stop by around lunchtime between classes. One last question before I let you go. What level of PDA are we supposedly comfortable with? Or, more accurately, what stage is our 'relationship’ at?”

“Well, it's been less than a month so probably a sort of honeymoon phase…. I don't know, what level of PDA would we be at if we were dating for real?”

“That would depend on a number of factors, including our personal comfort levels with such thing. I personally feel that the emotions behind an action is more important, so I feel no discomfort with the usual acts of PDA as it's only a big deal for me if there are feelings behind it. On the other hand, I don't know what your stance is on the subject and I would like to avoid causing you discomfort by overstepping a boundary.”

“Oh, thanks. I don't have much experience, so I'm not really sure. I guess whatever seems appropriate for the situation. Like, obviously nothing big when I'm working. Other than that guideline, I think I'm pretty comfortable with anything up to french kissing. That's something I think I'd have to really be dating someone to do.”

“Noted. I'll see you in a few hours. Have a good day at work, LuciBear.” Sato closes the door to get ready for his own day, so he doesn't see Luce's reaction at his nickname. It is a moment of shock before Luce shakes his head and walks off. He gets the feeling that he should get used to Sato calling him pet names since they're 'dating’ for the next few days. Maybe he should come up with some for him as well, for the sake of their ruse, of course.

When Sato comes out of his room, he finds a note that he assumes is for him.

'Shi-shi,

Lunch is in the fridge. Thanks in advance for the help. I hope you have a great day.

Love your fake boyfriend, Luce.’

Sato grabs the note and light lunch, and puts them both into his bag. Sure that he has everything, he leaves for his first class.

He gets to class his usual five minutes early. As usual, he uses that time to take out what he needs for class and arrange it on his desk; textbook, notebook, two pencils, highlighter, favorite pen. The teacher is late, so he decides to read a little while he waits. As Sato goes to take out his current book, he remembers the lunch and instead removes his lunch container to see what Lucy put in it. It's filled with a bunch of different munchy finger foods, from carrot sticks to pretzels and even some cheese sticks, the perfect lunch for someone who can't be bothered to stop studying for food. It is true that Sato has a habit of putting off meals when he gets into something and it's obvious that Luce took that quirk in mind when making today's lunch.

Sato smiles at the thought. Luce made it specifically for him. The teacher enters the classroom at that moment so Sato forgets to put away the meal. This is partially his downfall as, due to having the food out, he ends up munching on it all throughout class. By the end of the two hour class he doesn't have a lunch anymore. He pushes the problem to the back of his mind during his next class. Right before class ends, he remembers that he promised to stop by Luce's job and, more importantly, that Luce works at a pizzeria. He can just eat there.

After class gets out, Sato gets in his car and drives to Papa Joe's Pizza Palace. The hostess who greets him when he enters can't be much older than himself but he expects that from a place that's trying to give off a youthful vibe. As she shows him to an empty table, Satoshi asks if Lucius has had his lunch break yet and she gets defensive. With how much it seems that Luce attracts weirdos, Sato's glad that his co-workers are so protective, but a part of him wonders if her reaction is for some other reason. “I promise I'm not a stalker. You can ask him, I'm his boyfriend.” The hostess leaves him without answering his question, clearly being as cold as she can while still being professional.

Five minutes later, Luce comes out of the back. His face lights up as he sees Satoshi. “Sato, you're here!”

“Oh, it's 'Sato’ again. That's not what you called me this morning, Luci.” Lucius’ face turns pink.

“Stop teasing me, Shi-shi.” Luce suddenly seems to remember that he's supposed to be working. “Would you like to order a drink or anything? I take my break in about twenty minutes so I'm still on the clock right now.”

“How about an iced tea and a lunch menu. Your coworker forgot to give me one in her rush to avoid me.”

“Lunch menu? But I left you a lunch…. Did you forget it or something?”

“As if…. It was actually so good that I accidentally ate it early. So then, I realized that my boyfriend works at a restaurant and figured I could see you and grab lunch. In fact, do you want to join me when you go on break? I'm paying.” Luce agrees to join him before leaving to grab his drink and menu. Sato catches the hostess glaring at him while Luce is gone. Yeah, she's probably the problem co-worker Lucius mentioned. When he comes back with the tea and menu, the two of them quickly decide on what to order so it will be ready once Luce goes on break.

***

Luce is actually a bit surprised to see Sato despite him promising to stop by around this time. Some part of him is still worried that he's just troubling his roommate and thought he would blow him off. Evidently, that isn't what happened. Lucius is so happy to be wrong, he forgets that he's still on the clock for a few minutes.

He's doing a good job of pretending to be dating, right? Sato throws a few curve balls, but Luce figures he plays along pretty well. It's seems so natural, like he instinctively knows what reaction Shi-shi is trying to get from him. He only has to trust Sato's decisions. If he's being honest, it's actually kind of fun.

After placing the order for a medium veggie pizza and wings, Luce ends up having to work an additional fifteen minutes before he can take his lunch break. This actually works in his favor as a coworker brings out the pizza only minutes after he goes on break.

“I hope I didn't make you wait too long.”

“You're worth the wait. Plus it's not like I don't have the time, my next class isn't for another two hours.” Sato takes Luce's hand as he sits down. He then brings it up to his mouth for a kiss before smirking at his 'boyfriend’ with a wink. “So, Luci, dearest, how long do I have you to myself?”

Luce takes back his hand to eat. “I get a half hour lunch break.”

After that, they start eating as they talk. At some point Sato suggests back and forth questions as “despite dating, we don't know much about each other” and it “would be the most effective method” of fixing that. Most of the questions are standard ones like favorites or preferences until Sato asks Luce what is something that scares him. The is an uncomfortable silence before he softly answers.

“Loss of control.” He doesn't elaborate, but they both think to the night Blake picked him up from the bar, though for different reasons. Satoshi feels his fury at the one who caused his precious friend's fear start to resurface. On the other hand, Lucius is thinking about how scared he is of losing control around his roommates like he did that night, especially with Sato. He never wants to force his wants on to someone important to him. It would be even worse if it's Shi-shi who's doing so much already for him. Said fake boyfriend, being the thoughtful sweetie he is, realizes that he has to do something to distract Luce from his thoughts. A relationship should be based in balance between those involved, so he decides the best course is to try leveling the field a bit.

“I'm scared of never being able to make meaningful connections. I've got a personality that makes me seem really distant so most people don't think it's worth the effort to get close with me. I don't mind most of the time, but the idea that it will always be just me, with no one by my side, terrifies me. All my past relationships have been me pretending to be someone I'm not so the other person doesn't leave. That's why I've gotten so good at faking it.” At some point in his confession, Luce has grabbed his hand. Lucius, who only seconds before had been the one in need of comforting, is now comforting his friend. Sato doesn't know it, but needing Luce's support is the best thing he could have done for his roommate in that moment. Satoshi embarrassingly can't look Luce in the eyes. “My point is, we all have fears and faults, but you're not alone. You can trust Blake and I, and probably even Dewi, to be here for you. We've got your back, just like I know you guys have mine.”

“How do you not have a girlfriend when you spout sickly sweet sentimental shit like that?”

“Because…. I'm not a two-timing jerk that would cheat on my boyfriend.”

Luce just stares at him for a minute. Fuck, I forgot we're pretending to be dating. I need to cover it up. “I meant why weren't you already taken before we started dating. I know you just said people supposedly don't bother getting to know you, but how am I the first to see how great you are?”

“You are objectively better at getting to know me than those I have previously dated. They usually became dissatisfied when they perceived me to be acting distant. What about you, Mr. Popular? You don't seem to be in short supply of people wanting to date you, but here you are with me instead of someone else. Why were you still on the market when we met?”

“My few partners always started getting jealous of Blake…”

“Ah…. Yeah, now that makes sense. Family's pretty important to you guys. Did you know he says anyone who wants to marry you has to be approved by him? And people think that you're the overprotective one….”

“Well, he probably would know best… Blake's pretty perceptive about such things.” Luce doesn't add that he doesn't foresee marriage in his future. When one accidental use of his powers could cause someone to love him against their will, how could he ever be sure the other person's feelings are real? It is better to not have to question people's motives and the best way to do that is to keep up all his safeguards. Something so intimate as marriage could create situations where those boundaries wouldn't exist.

With that in mind, this fake dating thing is perfect for Lucius. It fends off suitors without the expectations that come with dating. He doesn't know what Sato’s getting out of it, but Luce can't thank him enough for what he is doing.

They sit in comfortable silence as they finish eating before Luce has to get back to work. When he gets up to clock in, Sato stops Lucius with a hand on his arm. “I'll be leaving soon, so how about a goodbye kiss, Handsome?” Luce obliges with a peck on Satoshi's cheek.

“Thanks for lunch, Shi-shi. I'll see you at home tonight.”

As Luce is signing into the payroll system, his manager approaches him. “So, who was that you were eating with?” Luce gives her a huge smile.

“Shi-shi's my boyfriend. He decided to stop by between classes. Can you believe how lucky I am to be dating someone so sweet?” His manager agrees. “Oh, right… I was going to ask if he could use my discount since he's paying for my lunch too.”

“I don't see why not since it's for my best waiter and his handsome boyfriend.”