Chapter Text
It was a peaceful night at Monmouth.
Ronan’s room was quiet and dark, filled with an uncharacteristic stillness. The only light came from the streetlights outside and a single string of twinkle lights draped lazily across a bookshelf that held more mess than books.
Ronan lay sprawled out on his unkempt bed, headphones resting around his neck, music just loud enough to still reach his ears. It wasn’t late enough yet for him to be irritated that he wasn’t sleeping, no, right now he was simply enjoying the peace and quiet. If his thoughts kept drifting to a certain boy’s smile, that had nothing to do with why he felt so relaxed tonight.
But it had felt good to make Adam laugh earlier. He was getting easier to break, lately, Ronan noticed. It had started with a near-invisible tug of a smile a few months ago, after another one of Ronan’s pitiful attempts at entertaining Adam, and it had been all downhill from there. At the first hint that Adam might actually find him occasionally funny, Ronan may have spent more time making an ass of himself than he usually did. It was still hit or miss, and Ronan never knew whether he was going to get sarcastic Adam, or Adam laughing until he cried, but if he was completely honest, he liked any version of Adam he could get.
At the end of his bed, half buried under a pair of boxers, Ronan’s phone vibrated, breaking the stillness. He glanced toward it reflexively even though he had no intention of answering anyone tonight.
That is, until he saw the edge of a name on the half covered screen.
-rrish
Ronan’s heart skittered in his chest, feeling like somehow Adam knew . His phone vibrated again. He reached out and hit the unlock button, holding the screen over his face, squinting against the glow.
parrish (9:43 pm): Hey.
parrish (9:43 pm): Call me when you get this.
parrish (9:43 pm): I kind of fucked up.
parrish (9:44 pm): It’s stupid, I just realized I made that sound a lot more serious than it is, sorry.
parrish (9:44 pm): But still, I need your help.
Curiosity made Ronan’s thumb hover over the screen, very nearly completing the motion of calling the boy he had just been daydreaming about. Concern for Adam and irritation at himself for wanting to call Adam warred in his chest.
Adam texted him often enough, but Ronan couldn’t remember him ever asking Ronan to call. Unlike Gansey, Adam understood how much Ronan despised his phone. So he must have a good reason for wanting to talk -- but then, he also said it wasn’t that serious.
ronan (9:47 pm): what’s up
parrish (9:47 pm): Are you free to talk?
ronan (9:49 pm): is this life or death
parrish (9:49 pm): No…
ronan (9:52 pm): im not calling you
__________
Why Adam thought Ronan would actually call him, he didn’t know. Why he thought he should even bother Ronan with his stupid issues in the first place, he really didn’t know. It was just that Ronan was the first person he thought of.
Wasn’t that the problem, though?
When Tad had come onto him after school a few days ago, he had been more forward than he’d ever been before, and instead of dropping his usual awkward hints, he had actually come right out and asked Adam on a date. Which would have been fine, had Adam been prepared. But Adam had grown accustomed to their uncomfortable routine; Tad beating around the bush, and Adam skillfully evading the topic without ever having to be direct in return.
Tad moving in way too close and saying, “I’d really like to take you out for dinner sometime,” had come as a total surprise, and he had said it so hopefully, like he fully believed in a world where Adam didn’t find him excruciating to be around. He had looked at Adam with eyes that looked like they probably still believed in Santa Claus, and Adam couldn’t find it in him to flat out reject him. He said the nicest thing he could think of that would still get him out of this situation. “I’m sorry, but I’m dating someone.”
A brief look of disappointment flashed across Tad’s face, then all of a sudden he became oddly excited for someone who had just gotten turned down for a date. “Oh! Do I know them?”
And this is where Adam’s mind got him into trouble, because his first thought led him straight to the broody boy who always kicked his ass in Latin and sometimes crashed on the floor next to his bed on nights where studying and insomnia made them feel like the last two people on earth.
If he had been thinking straight, he would have invented an uncomplicated long-distance relationship and rid himself of Tad’s unwanted attention for good. Instead, he was wondering what it would be like to date Ronan Lynch. When he realized that Tad was still waiting doe-eyed for an answer, all Adam could manage was, “I’m sure you’ve seen him around.”
Tad laughed and gave an enthusiastic clap. “You have to bring him to the end of the year party! I want to meet the guy lucky enough to date Adam Parrish.” Tad grasped at Adam’s shoulder with one hand, and clutched onto his own heart with the other. “Say you’ll come!”
Still too shocked, and frankly too uncomfortable, to think straight, Adam nodded dumbly.
Tad finally seemed satisfied and gave him a jarring clap on the shoulder before walking away, leaving Adam shaken and confused in his wake.
Adam had hoped that maybe Tad would forget about all of this by the time the party rolled around on Friday. He had already promised Gansey and Cheng that he would go, but he feared that showing up empty handed would only make this awkward situation worse if Tad still expected to meet Adam’s mysterious boyfriend.
Over the next few days at school Tad Carruthers made it abundantly clear that, yes, he still expected to meet Adam’s mysterious boyfriend. Adam tried to make himself invisible in between classes, but every day Tad somehow always managed to find him and say something stupid about Adam’s date for Friday night.
Adam was screwed.
Now it was Thursday night, and he still had not found a way out of this whole situation. As a last resort he had texted Ronan, but that had obviously gone over super well. Gansey would be upset with him if Adam backed out of going to the party now, Tad would be crushed if Adam showed up single and simply not interested, Tad, goddamnit, and Ronan, well, Ronan was probably already pissed at him for bothering him over nothing.
Adam rubbed his eyes wearily and stood up from his desk, knowing he wasn’t going to accomplish any useful studying with his mind a mess like this. He crossed the room to turn off the main light, then found his way to his bed in the dark. He flipped on his dim bedside lamp and laid out across his bed with a sigh, resigning himself to the fact that this was going to suck. He just wasn't sure exactly how, yet.
Just then, a knock sounded at his door.
__________
Adam Parrish was standing in front of Ronan wearing nothing but a pair of boxers, leaning on the door of his darkened St. Agnes apartment with his hair a tousled mess, and a confused expression on his face. This was not what Ronan was expecting. After a too-long pause, he found his voice. “Jesus Christ, Parrish, wanna put on some clothes?”
“Sorry. Wasn’t expecting company,” Adam replied dryly, turning and leaving the door open behind him. He returned to his poorly lit bed and flopped down unceremoniously, seeming to completely miss the fact that Ronan genuinely wanted him to go put on some clothes. Ronan scrubbed a hand over his face and sighed, following Adam into the small apartment and kicking the door closed behind him.
“You said you needed to talk.” Ronan accused as he slid off his boots by the door.
“Yeah. Over the phone. Hence the no clothes thing,” Adam gestured to his bare torso. “In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t have air conditioning.” He sprawled out across his bed and draped an arm lazily over his face, the light from his bedside lamp casting shadows over his body.
Ronan was frozen by the door, lost in the lines of Adam’s tanned arms, his strong shoulders -- Jesus, fuck, he did not need to know that Adam had perfect abs. Of course. Ronan’s lingering eyes trailed along hip bones softly jutting out over the waistband of low boxers, and suddenly the lack of air conditioning in Adam’s apartment was suffocating. Ronan abruptly moved to Adam’s desk, cluttered with textbooks and papers, and sat, staring at a sheet of Latin homework and willing himself to clear his mind of images that would surely be the death of him. He struggled to remember what he was doing here in the first place. “Are you going to tell me what you fucked up, or did I just waste a trip over here?”
Adam sat up and draped his long legs off the edge of his mattress. “You’re gonna be pissed.
Ronan snorted, still not daring to look Adam’s way. “I’m always pissed, haven’t you noticed?”
Adam cleared his throat. “Tad Carruthers asked me out on Monday.”
For a brief, terrifying moment, Ronan forgot about all of the times Adam had complained to him about Tad’s unwelcome advances. He clenched his jaw and braced himself.
Adam continued, “I didn’t know how to let him down gently.”
Ronan cast a sideways glance at Adam, whose head was in his hands. “You know, Parrish, you could always just say, ‘sorry, not into dudes’ and leave it at that.”
Adam let out a muffled groan, “But I am into dudes, just not Tad fucking Carruthers. Besides, it’s too late for that anyway, because now he thinks I have a boyfriend.”
“He what now?” Ronan spun around in his chair to face Adam. Adam fell back onto his bed with a defeated sound and pulled his pillow over his face. When he spoke, Ronan had to struggle to make out the words.
“I have to bring my boyfriend to the party tomorrow night.”
“Your… boyfriend.” Ronan’s head was still spinning.
Adam removed the pillow from his face and let it fall on the bed beside him. He heaved a loud sigh. “Yeah, boyfriend. Just to catch you up on things around here, I have no air conditioning, and I have no boyfriend.”
Ronan didn’t have the energy to spare a sarcastic response just then; he was still trying to wrap his mind around this conversation. “So you need me to help find you a date for this party?”
Adam sat up again and gave Ronan a desperate look. “Who the hell would we find? The party is tomorrow night.”
Ronan chewed on his lip for a moment. “Okay, Parrish, I’m lost. What do you want me to do about it?”
There was a long moment of silence as Adam kept opening his mouth and closing it without speaking. Finally, the words fell out in a rush, “I want you to be my boyfriend for a day.”
Ronan froze. Adam hastily explained how easy it would be to pretend for one evening, and then not see Tad again for the entire summer. It would solve everything.
Ronan’s thoughts screamed at him that this was a terrible idea, a massive fucking mistake, yet somehow he found himself following, “No fucking way,” with, “I’ll think about it,” before putting on his boots and leaving.
So much for a peaceful fucking night.
__________
The next morning, Adam woke to his phone buzzing on the floor next to his mattress.
ronan (6:08 am): hey fucker
ronan (6:08 am): what time do i pick u up
Adam felt the warmth of a smile spread through him.
He told himself it was only relief. Maybe this wouldn’t have to suck, after all.
__________
Ronan knew he would hear it from Gansey later for skipping the last day of school, but he didn’t see the point -- it wasn’t like one last day was going to salvage his abysmal track record anyway. Besides, he was a little busy dealing with this sick feeling growing in his gut. Aglionby was not happening.
He texted Adam, then got into his car and started driving.
Naturally, he ended up at the Barns without ever consciously deciding to drive there. He always ended up visiting his childhood home when he felt too on edge; the isolated farm had a calming effect on him. As he slowly pulled up the gravel drive, he felt the peace of the Barns wash over him like a physical presence. Maybe he would even be able to catch a nap inside, after the restless night he’d had. He pulled up to the familiar farmhouse and shut off the BMW. A blinking light in the center console pulled his attention to his phone.
parrish (6:30 am): I knew you’d come around. ;)
parrish (6:30 am): Seriously, thank you, Ronan.
parrish (6:30 am): Pick me up at 6.
parrish (6:31 am): FYI, this is more of a Gansey party than a normal party.
Ronan grinned at his phone before he could stop himself. At least no one was around to see him.
ronan (6:42 am): so ur telling me to dress nice
ronan (6:42 am): i get it, parrish
ronan (6:43 am): u know u can just come out & say it
ronan (6:43 am): i’m just ur trophy boyfriend
ronan (6:43 am): it’s fine i’m not offended
ronan (6:44 am): tbh it’s pretty typical for ppl to want me for my body
parrish (6:44 am): Jackass.
parrish (6:44 am): I’m guessing I’m not going to see you at school today?
ronan (6:45 am): miss me already babe?
parrish (6:48 am): Nah, you’re just a trophy, remember?
parrish (6:48 am): Better not disappoint tonight. I have to be seen with you.
parrish (6:48 am): Okay, some of us have to get to class. See you tonight. :)
And that was how Ronan found himself standing in Declan’s old bedroom, rifling through his abandoned closet. He logically knew that Adam was joking, but that didn’t make what he’d said any less true. Adam was going to be seen with Ronan tonight. In public. Together. At a Gansey-like party. Something told him his usual ripped jeans and black top weren’t going to cut it. If he was going to take Adam Parrish on a date, he was going to do it right, goddamnit. He flipped past dress shirt after dress shirt until he came across a dark charcoal number that looked like it would do the job. He went through Declan’s entire closet until he had assembled a whole outfit.
When he was finished and the clothes were laid out in front of him on Declan’s bed, the reality of the situation hit him full force.
He was going on a date with Adam Parrish tonight.
A fake date, but still.
ronan (11:08 am): i just thought of something
ronan (11:08 am): how r we supposed to be convincing
ronan (11:08 am): do we need a back story
ronan (11:08 am): aliases
ronan (11:08 am): do we have to touch
ronan (11:08 am): am i allowed to call u fuckhead in front of everyone
parrish (11:15 am): Jesus, I don’t know, Ronan.
parrish (11:15 am): Just act however you normally act on a date?
parrish (11:15 am): Unless you normally call your date “fuckhead.”
parrish (11:15 am): Please don’t do that.
ronan (11:21 am): ok just one small problem
ronan (11:21 am): i’ve never been on a date
ronan (11:21 am): but if i had, i would 100% call them a fuckhead, so sorry ur stuck with that one
parrish (11:21 am): You’ve never been on a date?
ronan (11:22 am): yeah
parrish (11:23 am): Okay, that’s cool.
ronan (11:23): yeah?
parrish (11:25 am): Yeah. I still have time to teach you. ;)
parrish (11:25 am): Rule #1. Don’t call your date a fuckhead, you fuckhead.
ronan (11:27 am): fuck this. u didn’t tell me there were rules
parrish (11:28 am): Well, you’re in luck. I can’t think of anything else.
parrish (11:30 am): My grand total of three (3) dates all consisted of listening to a girl gossip about boring shit while I sat there wondering why I even bothered to leave my house…
ronan (11:35 am): i see ur first problem -- going on a date w a girl
ronan (11:36 am): i’ll show you how its done
parrish (11:38 am): You just admitted to literally having no clue how it’s done.
ronan (11:40 am): fuck you, fuckhead
parrish (11:40 am): I liked it better when you were calling me babe.
parrish (11:40 am): Okay, class is starting. Talk to you later, asshole.