Endgame (Scömìche)

20. Secret

A/N I've read a couple of fics recently involving Mitchy in frilly undies. It's an image I don't seem to be able to shake... so here's my take. Maybe this'll get it out of my system (yeah, right..)

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Mitch steps towards the door that Scott is holding open for him and climbs into the back of the car. Sitting down, he pulls his sleeves over his fingers and folds his hands into his lap. As Scott settles into the seat next to him, he sees Mitch shiver against the chill of the early morning air.

"Could we get a little heat back here please?" says Scott to the driver, before turning to Mitch. "You ok? It's cold," he says, shuddering himself and rubbing his upper arms.

Mitch nods, "I'm fine," he says adjusting his beanie. "Are you going to tell me where we're going now?"

"You'll see soon enough," says Scott, leaning forwards to hand a note to the driver, before adding, "Oh, and can we grab coffee somewhere on the way?" The driver nods wordlessly, starting the engine and Scott turns his attention back to Mitch. "I think you're gonna really like this," he says, grinning and rubbing his hands together.

Mitch sighs, feigning frustration, but truthfully he's rather excited for the surprise shopping trip Scott has sprung. It's temporarily taken his mind off the press day looming in front of him; the prospect of sneaking away with Scott for an hour before the treadmill of interviews start is actually a perfect antidote. And they're at least making use of the fact that their bodies haven't adjusted to the new time zone yet.

"Are you absolutely sure they're open?" Mitch asks, checking the time, "What kind of 'designer' store is open before six am, anyway?" he adds.

"The kind that's run by some very lovely people," says Scott, smirking.

Mitch responds with a look, frowning and tilting his head to one side a little, his lips pursed.

"Well, they're not normally open this early. This is kinda just for us," he explains.

Mitch is a little taken aback. "Wait. You got a whole store to open hours early just so we could fit a shopping trip in?"

"Yep," he says, nodding, "Though our tight schedule wasn't the only reason for doing it this way."

"Ugh," says Mitch, exasperated, "I don't suppose you'd care to elaborate on that?"

Scott just grins in response as the car pulls to a stop outside a coffee shop. He hops out, dipping his head back in the car, "You really hate surprises, don't you?" he asks with glee. Mitch just sticks his tongue out and pulls out his phone, pretending to ignore Scott. Scott laughs again and shuts the car door, returning a few minutes later with two cups of steaming coffee. Mitch takes his gratefully, enjoying the aroma that fills the car. "Ah, if there's one thing that Sydney does well, it's coffee. Thanks babe."

----

As the car pulls away, Mitch stands on the sidewalk, looking up at a large stone arch that forms the doorway to a shop on the corner of what would, at a normal hour, be a very busy intersection in central Sydney. Inside the arch, twin glass doors are etched with an intricate pattern and have the words 'Homme Mystere' written across them. The interior is brightly lit, but obscured by a sheer curtain, rendering the contents of the shop a mystery. Mitch is just about to ask Scott yet again if he's sure they're expected when he hears a curtain being drawn across, followed by the sound of several heavy locks clicking. One door swings inwards and a slim brunette steps into the doorway to greet them. "Scott?" she says, looking between the two men.

Scott extends a hand, "Lara, hi! Thank you so much for opening so early for us." Lara smiles and shakes Scott's hand. "It's our pleasure. And you must be Mitch," she says, offering a hand to the other man who takes it, nodding in confirmation. "Come in, please."