Endgame (Scömìche)

22. Reflection

Been sitting on this for a bit 'cause I'm pretty sure it's aimless rubbish... but ah well, have a read anyway.

Although Scott's birthday party officially ended hours ago, their spontaneous 'after party' has only just come to a close. Scott thought for a while that they might end up just going straight to soundcheck, but Mitch finally snapped, ending the event with a not-so-subtle "I love you all, but please fuck off." Now it's just them, cuddling in a sea of plush cushions, watching the sunrise over Singapore from the balcony of their hotel room.

"Happy birthday, sweetheart," says Mitch, leaning his head against Scott's  shoulder. Scott wraps an arm around him and sighs happily as Mitch snuggles closer. Scott feels the most centred, the most content, and by far the most drunk he has been in a long time. "Thanks, babe, 's been a good one," he slurs, fatigue and inebriation both hampering his ability to properly form words.

Mitch giggles. "You're drunk, Scooter, very very drunk," he says.

"Mmhmm," says Scott in agreement.

A comfortable silence passes between them. Mitch assumes that Scott has either fallen asleep, or passed out, and he can feel himself drifting; conciousness slipping away slowly. The warmth from Scott is pulling him down into sleep, but just before he gets there a sudden question jolts him back up into lucidity.

"D'ya remember when you realised you liked me? Y'know, more than friends?" says Scott, leaning in to nuzzle his face against Mitch's and placing a soft kiss above his ear.

Mitch nods into the side of Scott's chest, "Yeah, I do," he says quietly.

"Tell me," Scott says, pulling away slightly to look down at Mitch.

Mitch sighs. "Do you remember when I went to Miami, to see Tom?"

Scott nods, "Yeah, Tom was nice. What happened with that?"

Mitch shrugs, "It just fizzled," he says, nonplussed, "but you seemed to actually like him." There's a hint of accusation in his tone.

"He was a nice guy," Scott says, a touch defensive.

"Yeah, I know. But I think I wanted you not to like him."

"Oh."

"Yeah... and that weekend in Miami I think I spent half the time talking about you'," he sighs, "pretty sure Tom noticed. I mean, he's not an idiot..."

"Oh, babe, I'm sorry."

Mitch shrugs, "Not your fault. Tom just wasn't... well, he wasn't you. And when I flew back from that trip I was super aware of just how much I was looking forward to seeing you again," he says, smiling wistfully.

Scott grins in recollection, "we had a wine night, didn't we?"

"Uh huh," says Mitch, his smile faltering for a moment. "I left my charger in your room that night. When I went back to grab it you were sound asleep and... " He stops, suddenly feeling hesitant.

"What?" Scott asks, gently, his interest piqued.

Mitch feels a blush rising, "I watched you."

"You watched me sleep?"

"Yeah. And I... I realised then that I what I felt was a lot more than just friendship." He arches an eyebrow and huffs, "It sounds romantic, but that realisation hurt so bad. You were still with..."

"Alex," says Scott softly.

"Mhmm," he murmurs, nodding. "So I fought it down. I was determined to be a good friend. I never wanted to come between you two. Never," he says, with emphasis.