From the first time he and Jeryd Mencken met at the fascists' convention, Roman has always had a feeling about Mencken. He can usually tell when someone is attracted to him. Even when they hide it behind layers of frustration, like Gerri. Or when it's expressed as a kind of subservience, like Brex.

Outwardly, Mencken is a respectable married man, but then, so was Mo. So are many of the guys Roman has been propositioned by over the years, before they realised his sex aversion doesn't just extend to women.

And then there's the whole fascist thing. Mencken has never said anything outwardly homophobic that Roman is aware of, but he likes to talk about traditional family values which everyone knows is a dog whistle, like the right to self-defence.

Whether Mencken believes any of the shit he says, Roman doesn't know, and he doesn't care. The important thing is, he hand-picked this guy for President. He's good-lucking, has buckets of charisma and could be an asset to Waystar Royco. At the time of picking, the Roys' main concern was keeping Logan out of jail. That's no longer a relevant issue, but now Roman has something else he wants from Jeryd.

"I can make you President," Roman promises at Mencken's campaign quarters, the words tripping off his tongue. "If not this time, then the time after."

"Go on." Mencken nods.

"And in return, you can help me and my family out."

"I thought all charges were dropped?"

"Yeah, the cruise stuff's old news." Roman perches on the edge of the bathroom sink. Mencken invited him in here to 'give them somewhere more private to talk'. He waves a hand. "This is way more important. We need someone to block the sale to Matsson. I'm thinking, big bad foreign tech, you're concerned about the rise of AI…"

"So you want me to help you and your brother keep the company."

"In exchange for the Presidency."

"Technically, I don't need you to win the Presidency." Mencken shrugs, although his jaw curves into a smile. "Have you seen my numbers? I'm doing pretty well."

"It can't hurt to have ATN on your side on election night though, can it?"

Mencken looks thoughtfully at him. "Your brother doesn't like me."

"Ken? He loves a moral crusade. But he wants to keep the company, more than I do even. He'll bend over." Mencken doesn't look convinced. "I can persuade him."

"I'm gonna need something else in return." Mencken moves in closer. "Proof of loyalty."

Roman has been expecting this since he set foot in the bathroom, but it still sends a shiver through him. "I can do that. The door's locked, right?"

While Mencken goes to check that the door is in fact locked, Roman slides off the edge of the sink and settles into position on his knees. He's strangely excited, no need for pretend wrongness to make him feel right in this situation. He's about to blow the next President of the United States in exchange for a business deal. It doesn't get more wrong than that.

Mencken is already unzipping his flies when he walks back over and Roman reaches out to touch him through his boxers, feeling another thrill at the proof of being wanted.

"I've heard the rumours about you." Mencken runs his hands through Roman's hair, with just enough pressure to be pleasantly uncomfortable. "Dick pics, getting jerked off by your personal trainer…"

"I haven't heard any rumours about you," Roman promises, as he slides Mencken out of his underwear.

"Good." Mencken eases Roman's mouth down on him and Roman gets to work.

The whole thing takes less than two minutes, Mencken taking control so all Roman has to do is follow instructions. When Mencken finishes, he tightens his grip on Roman's hair and gasps out "Good kid" and Roman feels like he could explode with pride.

Roman swallows, then waits for Mencken to zip up before he gets to his feet, turning away to hide the evidence of his own arousal. This clearly isn't a reciprocal situation.

"Thank you for that." Mencken is casually tucking his shirt back in.

"You're welcome." Roman turns, equally casual, and washes his hands, wiping around his mouth. "So, do we have a deal?"

Mencken nods. "You make me President tomorrow and I'll block the deal. And if I lose—"

"We'll make it clear you're the real winner," Roman interjects. "No hard feelings."

Mencken unlocks the bathroom door. He lets Roman out without another word, but when Roman turns around he smiles at him.

Roman leaves with a sense of satisfaction he hasn't felt since his father's death. He basically has the next President in the palm of his hand, literally. Jeryd — he should probably think of him by his first name now he's been in his mouth — can't go back on their deal now even if he wanted to. Roman has the power in their relationship.

The next time he sees Mencken in person is at his father's funeral, smiling at him across a crowded church, the official President-elect. But that's before Roman's embarrassing public breakdown. The next time Roman sees him, at the wake, Mencken laughs in his face calling him the grim weeper and tiny tears and Roman realises he was wrong. He doesn't have the power, he never did.