A Reunion of Lips

II

"There is one thing in particular that I wish to question you on, before we discuss your proposals. There has been admiration for your changes, but we still feel concern for the cause behind them. Myrosias will support your change, but we will not consider it ourselves without proper discussion. We will not compromise our laws without heavy consideration; the law is the law and it must be upheld."

No shit.

"I wouldn't expect anything less of you."

Scott was really starting to want a break from this conference—no, this entire trip. Saenorpi is a beautiful city and perfect for this summit—so different from the Capital back in Asdria—but the extreme dedication to tradition and upholding the law to the exact letter at all times here in Myrosias, no matter how nice of a country it is, is really starting to make Scott antsy for anything else.

"I would cite my own initiative to investigate the effects of the Senate's laws on lower levels in the capital city, as well as the relationships I forged with a handful of citizens, to be the driving force behind such drastic reform in Asdria. Being able to see and talk to people first-hand helped me to better understand the effects of our governing on people, rather than a number representing a population."

"Ah, I believe I understand. You chose to familiarize yourself with the people you found represented less, and thus began acting as an unofficial representative for them in both Senate and executive functions."

Maybe he should have had that extra coffee Mitch had offered him that morning.

"I hadn't considered it in those terms before, but yes. That sounds very accurate, actually. Would you be interested in pursuing a similar—"

The man sitting across from him held up a hand quickly, effectively confusing and cutting off Scott. He did his best not to glance over at his own team of people sitting on the far side of the room while the Myrosian president's aide whispered rapidly to him. An interruption, especially such an abrupt, and frankly, a bit rude one, made Scott nervous. He didn't look to Esther for her thoughts or to Kevin for reassurance, wanting to maintain an air of calmness in the suddenly tense room. When the president stood very quickly, Scott felt his stomach drop.

"I'm very sorry, Your Highness, but I must call for a halt to this meeting. Security has reported a breach along the western wall of the alcázar, and protocol dictates that we must relocate to the bunker until further notice."

He had tried to convince himself that nothing like this would happen, no matter what the rumors had threatened. He rose to his feet and glanced back at his staff already being shepherded out the door.

Where was—oh thank God.

Mitch popped up at his side in the frantic chaos of feet being trampled and papers being bumped onto the floor as people pushed past each other to escape the room. Another aide was trying to hurry him along after President Jose and he grabbed Mitch's hand before he could get lost in the madness again.

Neither of them said anything as they were ushered down a hall and a staircase behind an open wall panel (woah, did the palace have those back home?). Several men in dark uniforms waved them into a room behind the president and a few other people Scott recognized as various Secretaries from their High Cabinet. Scott started to pull Mitch towards one of the benches between the tall shelves lining the room, but was stopped abruptly when Mitch pulled back.

The president was pointing at Mitch. "He can't be here. This bunker is only for people of high authority. I will have a guard escort him to the staff—"

"Mario, please. Don't be ridiculous, you know exactly what's going on right now, who's at the western wall—don't make him go walk through the open halls—"

"I'm sorry, Scott, really, but the law is the law, and it must be upheld. The only people permitted here are cabinet members and foreign royalty. If he was family, it would be different."

Mitch tried to pull his hand out of Scott, and he was mumbling something about how it was fine, he'd go fast, but Scott wouldn't have it. He could feel the panic building in his chest at Mitch's reluctant acceptance. No way in hell was anyone going to make Mitch go out there.

"Mitch." The firmness in his voice and expression kept Mitch from trying to back out the door as Scott quickly scanned the room. He spotted a coil of wire on one of the shelves sporting spare materials and stalked over to it, disregarding the confused and apprehensive stares of everyone standing around them. He managed to bend it into a crude circle as he planted himself in front of Mitch.

Well, here goes.

Kirstie was gonna kill him.

Mitch's jaw dropped in shock as Scott sank to one knee in front of him and held up the wire. "Marry me?"

The gasps from the stunned officials behind his back really only served to encourage him at this point.

"You're shitting me."

That's his Mitch: eloquent as always.

"It's not like I wasn't planning on proposing anyways. I've got a better ring back home, but this one will have to do for now. I mean, if..."

"Uh, yeah. Yes. Yes, of course—" Mitch dragged him back up to his feet and stuck his left hand out for Scott to slide the wire on. "Why on earth—"

Mitch could scold him for rash decision making later. Scott turned to the president again. "Can he stay now?"

Mario just stared at him for a few seconds, probably thinking the same things Mitch kept muttering under his breath at him, before sighing. "Yes, I suppose everything is now in accordance with the law."

Scott nodded shortly and pulled Mitch over to the bench to wait the lockdown out.