Disclaimer: No, this is not a good example of a healthy, consensual BDSM relationship. It is more noncon/reluctance in this chapter.
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Liam turned the dainty ring over in his fingers, watching sullenly as it caught the dim lighting of the bar bathroom. Music blasted every so often when someone entered to use the urinals, but otherwise remained a muted throb when the heavy door closed. He was sitting, pants up, in one of the two stalls, just staring at the engagement ring in his hands. He barely noticed when the bathroom door opened again, letting in a few seconds of pounding upbeat music, before swinging shut. He only looked up when he recognized the brown suede of Arthur's dress shoes from underneath his stall door. There was a sharp rapping at his door.
"Occupied," Liam sighed.
"I know, I can see your shoes. What are you doing?"
"I'm in the bathroom-- what do you think I'm doing?"
"You've been in there for like twenty minutes."
"I didn't realize there was a time limit."
"Liam, I can literally see you holding that ring in there."
Liam looked up and met eyes with Arthur through the too-wide gap between the door and its frame. Liam shook his head, stood up, and pocketed the ring before unlatching the door and stepping out.
"Walter needs to fix that damn door," Liam growled. "Can't get any privacy in here."
"That's not the problem right now-- though it is a problem. C'mon, let's get out of here." Arthur gave his friend a pat on the back and guided them out of the bathroom and back to the rest of their friends at the bar.
"That's the best idea I've heard tonight. I'm out of here."
"What? We haven't even started yet. Ryan was going to get us bottle service at that club he was talking about."
"The club is the last place I want to be right now."
"What? You're not coming to the club with us?" Ryan asked. Liam and Arthur had reached their friends, who all turned on their bar stools at their approach.
"Yeah, man," Arthur replied. "Liam's still not over Alice. It's been two months, and he's still carrying that ring around with him."
"Shut the fuck up, it's not anyone's business," Liam snapped.
"Dude, the bitch wasn't even worth it. She just wanted your money, and she had dick on the side! How are you still hung up over that?" Patrick sneered. "Good riddance, I say. You're single now-- live it up."
"This club is perfect for that, man," Ryan said excitedly, hopping off his stool and gently shaking Liam by the shoulders. "There's girls like you wouldn't believe. Just don't get into anything serious right now, and you'll be fine."
"Guys, leave him alone." George had been quietly drinking his beer, but he spoke up now on Liam's behalf. Let him handle it the way he wants to. Give the man some respect."
"It's just not healthy," Patrick argued. "We've left him alone, and now he needs to try something different."
"You're rich-- just get a sugar baby, like me," Arthur continued. "No drama, stress-free relationship. That's how I met Sophia, and we've been together for two years. Here, let me send you the link for the website I used." He pulled out his phone to shoot Liam a text with the link.
"That just sounds like another recipe for heartbreak," George sighed. "A girl already used him for his money and broke his heart-- you're really telling him to pay another girl to inevitably break his heart right now?"
Arthur held up a finger as he finished up his message.
"Yeah, isn't it easier to just hook up with a rando?" asked Ryan.
"I'm leaving." Liam brushed Ryan's hands off his shoulders and turned away. His phone alerted him he received a message. Probably Arthur.
"It's different!" Arthur said quickly. "It's basically a contract agreement! It's more stable than a hook-up, but less maintenance than an actual relationship! You know what you're getting into, so no hurt feelings!"
Liam waved a hand in the air without turning his back.
