Work Text:
1966, LONDON
It had been a freakishly groovy night at The Electric Psychedelic Pussycat Swingers Club. Both Austin Powers, and his partner in crime Mrs. Kensington cheerfully wandered back to the Shaguar, laughing together. They’d just gotten finished with a successful night of investigation work and more importantly… partying, baby! “Oh, I haven’t had this much fun in… forever! And you know I’m not exactly one for swinging shindigs.” Mrs. Kensington sighed with a big smile on her face.
"Well, I’m sorry…” Austin replied with his usual playful flair. “I’m sorry that bug up your arse had to die!”
The two of them cackle at this remark and she lightly smacks him on the arm. “Oh behave!” She parroted his catchphrase at him mischievously.
After their giggles quieted down, there was a silence that grew between them. It was difficult to tell if it was a comfortable silence, but Austin quickly shut it down. “Say! Why don’t we go back to my shag-pad and relax with the telly on?” He grinned at her, eagerly awaiting her response.
“Oh, I don’t know, Austin… I don’t think Mr. Kensington would feel so good about me spending the night at yours… you understand, don’t you?” She reminded the other agent of the true nature of their partnership.
“Oh nothing like that, honestly, luv, what do you take me for?” He shook his head and waved his hand at her as to push off the accusation. “I mean nothing by it, just a cuppa’ tea with my best mate!” He nudged her, his signature grin never faltering.
Mrs. Kensington looked at him with a concerned expression. “On a late night? at your shag-pad? I don’t think it looks very good on me... Look, Austin, I think we should keep our relationship strictly professional.”
And now that grin was faltering. “Professional?”
“Yes, just professional. I’m sorry, I’m a married woman and I just…” She sighed and turned away from his sad expression. It was difficult to face. “We should definitely try to focus more on the case.”
“Oh, right, okay…. yes… of course.” Austin’s tone of voice shifted to one of defeat. His entire personality suddenly deflated like a balloon as he stared off into the distance. This silence was certainly not a comfortable one, it was clear to tell now.
And it only continued.
.
.
.
Mrs. Kensington attempted to break it off. “Coul-"
“I’m s- …oh, sorry, darling! You were saying?” Austin interrupted, also trying to break the silence at the same time.
“Would you mind driving me back home?”
Austin stared back at her for a brief moment before shaking his head and recollecting himself, his usual demeanor right back on full blast. “Not at all! That’s what the Shhhaguar’s for, baby, yeahh!” He immediately went to switch on the radio and get the car started. Of course he wasn't happy about this, but he would sooner die than make any girl pity him like that.
The act he put on was so convincing to Mrs. Kensington that she was never sure if he was faking it to break the tension, or if he just healed that quickly from things. He was a spy after all. Disconnecting his emotions from the current situation was only natural for him.
On the way back to her place, which he of course already knew the route to by heart, he swayed to the music and focused on the road, occasionally singing along. Mrs. Kensington stayed completely silent. It was an unfortunately short ride home.