Tyde - Friend for hire

Chapter 21

Clyde feels the warmth in his hand. Tolkien's hands were soft just like he remembered. He steps to the side and huddles into Tolkien's arm. Tolkien bends his head to the side to rest it on Clyde's as they walk.

"It's a lot better like this..." Clyde says softly.

"Definitely." Tolkien squeezes Clyde's hand.

They go into the cafe. It's not very crowded and the only people there were working-class adults. Clyde decides to pull away slightly but continues to hold Tolkien's hand.

Tolkien orders the most expensive pastries at the shop. He looks to Clyde and smiles. "Anything else?"

Clyde shakes his head, slightly in awe.

They grab the pastry box and head over to Tolkien's house. They could call a driver, but they wanted to walk hand in hand together in the cold night air. Cylde felt a warm, floaty feeling the entire time. 

"Come in, I'll take you to the theatre," Tolkien says as he unlocks the front door of the biggest house Clyde has ever seen.

"Woah..." Clyde stares at the beautiful hardwood structure: the leather couches, the golden lamps.

Tolkien smiles softly and tucks a small amount of Clyde's hair behind his ear before grabbing his neck gently. "You're cute..."

"You're so rich..."

"Do you like it?"

"Who wouldn't?"

"I guess most people love this kind of thing. What's better though, me or my riches?"

Clyde puts his hand over Tolkien's hand. "You are... You're incredible, Tolkien..."

"And you're a pain in the ass. But I love that about you."

"You do..?"

"Of course. Shall we?" Tolkien holds out his hand.

Clyde takes it and smiles. "Yes, please."

They go into the dark theatre in Tolkien's basement. It has reclining chairs with heaters in them.

They sit in the middle and put on the movie they agreed on. It's interesting for a while, but at some point, Clyde stopped paying attention to the movie at all. The way the screen lit up Tolkien's strong features took Clyde's breath away.

Tolkien turns his head, meeting his gaze less than a foot from Clyde's face. There was no hesitation. Their faces were drawn together like a slow magnetic pull.

"Mm..." Clyde closes his eyes as Tolkien kisses him.

Clyde put up his armrest and moved onto Tolkien's lap, straddling him. He holds Tolkien's face in both his hands as their kisses intensify. 

Clyde unbuttons the first button of Tolkien's shirt, his hands desperate and fumbling. His hips were grinding against Tolkien's lap. 

*riiing riiiing*

A vibrating ring echoes from Tolkien's pocket. 

"Mm!" Tolkien groans and quickly checks who is calling. "Shit, it's my mom. I need to take this." 

"Okay... I'll wait here..."

Clyde scoots off and crosses his legs to hide his obvious boner. He feels his phone buzz right after Tolkien leaves the room.

Craig: Dude... *Attached post*

Clyde opens the post that Craig sent.

"Tolkien Black has a boyfriend? Surprise scandal: Clyde Donovan steals the star's heart!"

Attached is an image of him and Tolkien holding hands earlier. At first, Clyde was happy to see this, as an acknowledgment of his feelings. Then he realized. He remembered the contract. 

"Shit..."

Everything is put together in his mind. He broke the contract, and Tolkien just got a call from the one in charge of the contract.

The door to the theatre opens slowly. Tolkien turns the lights on and stands still at the end of the row. 

"Tolkien..?"

"I'm going to ask you to go home. You can take my driver, I don't fucking care. Just leave."

"What? Why are you..."

"You were getting paid to be my friend. You lied to me."

"Tolkien, it wasn't like that..."

"I'm this close to losing my composure. Leave."

"No! Not until you hear me out! I don't care if you lose your composure, let's talk about this."

"Every single person I have ever trusted has used me. Every friend I've had has been in it for the money. Jesus fucking Christ, the moment I fall in love with someone and this is what I get."

"In love?"

"I thought you were perfect. Not some greedy asshole. I... ugh... I fucking loved you. I was going to tell you tonight."

"Tolkien, I really-"

"The contract is void. My mom says you are done. No more money, so you have no reason to be here."

"Tolkien let me explain... I really do like you! I was being genuine."

"How..." Tolkien's voice begins to shake. "How do you expect me to trust a single fucking thing you say?"

"I... I don't know... But it's true, really."

Tolkien looks Clyde directly in his eyes, tears streaming rapidly down his face. "Please, Clyde. Just go."