Seven Levels Below

XII

He's standing in the corner and sipping at some wine as he seriously regrets his choices. He should have asked someone. Anyone. Kirstie could have helped him talk Scott into it. Hell, Scott could have helped him talk Kirstie into it. It's just so boring and there's no one to talk to. And dear lord, these people don't know what a party is. This music... Mitch needs out.

How much longer do I have to be here until I can sneak out without it being too weird?

The estimated 45 more minutes he's trying to talk himself into sound like an eternity already, and noooo here they come. The intern girls are back again and they look pissed.

They don't appear to be aiming for him though. Maybe if he just keeps his head down they'll just walk past and they won't say anyth—

"Didn't think you'd actually do it," the lead girl nods at him as they slowed in front of him. He nods back to acknowledge her as they keep walking and he's left alone with more confusion.

Didn't think what? That he'd make it this long in an upper-city party? Well, he's pretty surprised too, but ouch, girl. Drag him.

The chatter in the room is significantly louder than what he had previously noted, and Mitch was beginning to wonder if maybe he should go sit down somewhere. Or see if they have something stronger than whatever fancy wine this is.

A hand on his shoulder stops him as he pushes off the wall to look for a quiet spot, and he is not at all prepared to have another conversation with these girls. Can't they leave him alone to suffer in peace? But the hand is too big for them, and it's warm and gentle and not what he would expect from the Mean Girls squad.

He turns back to wiggle his way out of another uncomfortable social situation but is stopped in his tracks when he's greeted by some very familiar blond waves.

Why is he here? How did he know about the party? Where did he get that sleeveless button down—scratch that, those arms—

"Fwah—uh—wha—?" Mitch manages to get out.

Scott's eyes crinkle down at him as he smiles. "You know I would have come if you had asked me."

"How—?"

"I ran into Kirstie before and we had lunch. She happened to mention a party that you didn't want to go to and some fangirls you've managed to snag. She may have also mentioned how it would be pretty great if you could bruise their egos a bit, and suggested that I make a surprise appearance to help save you from your boredom."

Mitch's mouth dropped open. He had literally only told Kirstie that there were some interns that had mentioned Scott that morning over a rare Starbucks outing. Kirstie knows him too well. He owes her a new shirt.

Scott laughed at his dumbfounded expression. "I should really thank you both, though. I suppose this is as good a time as any to ask while we're on the topic of attending parties, but, uh. Well, my coronation is in a few months and I'd really like it if you and Kirstie could be there?"

His face was so hopeful, and he really did know how to use those puppy dog eyes. As if he needed to. There was no way Mitch would turn him down for anything, especially if it made him look this excited at just the prospect. But he really should check...

"Would that be okay? For two of us to be up there for an official ceremony?" Mitch asks cautiously.

Scott answered very quickly. "Yes."

Mitch raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

"Well, I'm going to be king. So I make the rules, right? And I say yes. Please?"

Mitch smiled at the stubborn man-child in front of him. He did not envy whoever had to talk a young Scott into eating his vegetables.

"Alright." Scott's face lights up again and Mitch nearly chokes on his next breath because how does someone look like that. Nope. Focusing. "I'm gonna have to insist that Kirstie and I be the best dressed there, though."

"You don't even have to try."

His heart. Just take him away now. "You sap. I promise I'll keep it appropriate for the sake of all those old white guys. I'm thinking that Kirstie is gonna need a nice, new dress, yeah?"

Scott's grin matched his own. "Oh yeah." He regarded him smugly. "You wanna go escape and start planning the dress right now?"

Kirstie isn't the only one who knows him too well, it seems.

"You just got here though. It would be improper to leave so soon," Mitch sighed.

Scott rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Actually, I got here a while ago. I may or may not have spent a while discussing how impressive your work is to a bunch of your colleagues."

"Scott!"

"They deserve to know they're working with a genius. And I just happened to be the one who is willing to make them aware of it."

"Oh my god—whatever. Can we leave then?"

A gentlemanly elbow was offered to Mitch, who wrapped his freshly manicured hand around it as they started towards the staircase to the bottom of the lobby.

"I just happen to be a bit of an expert at leaving dull parties too soon, and I do believe it would be a waste to not put my skills to use tonight."

Mitch grinned to himself at Scott's unintentional... interesting word choice as he let himself be guided out of the building. Oh, if only.