Chapter 1:

Eggsy sighed heavily, slumping in his seat. He swished his drink around in his hand, watching the amber liquid bubble in the glass. Jamal and Ryan continued to chat, unaware of their friend's sour mood.

Ryan was showing off the forest green emblem on his forearm. He rubbed it thoughtfully, eyes bright. Jamal compared his pale orange emblem on his ankle, propping it on the table despite the dirty look the barman sent his way. Additionally, Jamal's mark had elegant black lettering. His mark spelled a name- John Smith. A constant source of teasing for his friends.

Ryan's mark had appeared the previous week, starting off at a pale lime colour before deepening into the darker shade. Jamal's had started off neon orange, much to his dismay.

Soulmarks were strange that way- sometimes they changed over time, colour-wise at least. The name blazed on it gradually appeared over time- from the course of an hour to even a decade.

The colour of the mark matched the colour of its soulmate's mark. It was rumored that the colour reflected the mood of one or both of the soulmate's, but nobody knew for sure. The colours ranged from anything, really. Buttercup yellow to turquoise, fire truck red to black.

"Yeah, bruv. Wonder 'ow long it'll take for yours to show up," Jamal said, leaning back in his chair. "Don't you think, Eggsy?" Eggsy shook himself out of his daze and put on a bright smile.

"Yeah."

"Anyways, I was thinking," Ryan cut in when he saw the pain in Eggsy's expression.

Eggsy didn't have a mark yet. Not the slightest hint of one. Ryan's full mark had appeared only recently, but the outline of it had been visible for ages. Eggsy had looked everywhere. His back, the soles of his feet, even behind his ears. Nothing. He was a blank slate. Practically unheard of. Everyone had a mark. Some people had two or even three marks. But nobody didn't have one. Except for Eggsy. Markless, a dark voice whispered in his head.

"You was thinking what, bruv?" Eggsy prompted, trying to relax his facial muscles into a more casual smirk. He'd worry about this soulmark business later. It wasn't like he hadn't worried about it enough already.

"I was thinking that mayb-" Ryan suddenly gasped. He clutched his forearm. His eyes grew nervous and excited. "It's happening, it's happening!" he exclaimed, uncovering the mark and displaying it to his friends. Several people in the pub heard his exclamation as well and turned towards them interestedly.

"Damn, it's in white, that's sick," Jamal remarked.

"A… P…" he recited slowly, reading the letters flowing onto his arm. "R… I… L… April!" he exclaimed. "E… V… A… N… S… April Evans," he finished.

"Bruv! She's that hot chick that lives in my building! Holy fuck, you tosser!" Jamal yelled. Several people laughed amusedly before returning to their drinks.

"Damn," he whistled. "Can you introduce me to her?"

"Are you kidding cuz? Just tell 'er your name and stay the night! She'll have her mark by now as well," Jamal replied. "Aw, you're so lucky. I don't even know this John Smith guy."

Yeah, Eggsy thought to himself. At least you got one, bruv. He hadn't really told anyone except for his mum and his two best friends about his little dilemma. If anyone else asked about it, he usually just brushed them off and gave a vague answer. That is was still developing or summit.

"I wanna go meet her. Right now." Ryan pushed himself out of his seat. "C'mon, Jamal. Eggsy, you comin', mate?"

"Nah," he replied. "Gotta get home soon anyways. Good luck," he called with a wave as Ryan and Jamal darted out of the pub.

As they pushed open the door, a posh looking bloke walked in, holding the door for them. They thanked him briefly, and he nodded. Eggsy couldn't help but stare as the man walked into the pub and ordered a pint of Guinness. He wore an impeccably tailored suits and shining Oxfords.

The man looked around for an empty table, but by this time, every table was full, and every seat was taken. Except, of course, for the two seats that Eggsy's friends had previously occupied. Eggsy's heart stopped when the man began to walk towards him. He was devastatingly handsome, with brown hair and dark eyes. It honestly wasn't fair for anyone to look as hot as this guy did.

"Pardon me, but is this seat occupied?" he asked, voice rich as chocolate. Eggsy felt himself sinking in the warm timbre quality of it, sighing slightly.

A few moments passed.

"Er…" Eggsy finally choked out, coming to his senses. "Yes, I mean, no, I mean, my mates just left, so no," he stammered. Fucking hell. He took a deep breath. "Sorry. Lots of things on my mind."

"Ah," the man responded, lips twitching. "Do you mind if I sit here?"

"No, not at all, not at all," Eggsy exclaimed a bit too enthusiastically. The man raised an eyebrow in what Eggsy hoped was amusement. "Sorry."

"No need to apologize," the man said with a small smile, pulling out the chair and sitting in one fluid motion, as graceful as a swan. Eggsy felt himself blush slightly, and suddenly became very interested in the contents of his drink.

"It's just that my friend just got his soulmark," he blurted out. He had no idea what in God's name made him say that.

"I see," the man replied, face darkening for just a moment.

"What's the matter?" Eggsy asked curiously. "Got a thing against 'em or summit?"

"Not quite," Harry answered. "Why do you ask?"

"I dunno, you just looked mighty pissed when I mentioned 'em," Eggsy remarked.

"Hm… interesting," the man said, examining Eggsy with a new intensity.

Oh… Eggsy could just drown looking into those eyes.

"What's interesting?" Eggsy demanded.

"Nothing you need to worry about," he responded. "I assure you, it's nothing bad."

"Oh. Okay. I guess." Eggsy set his drink down after taking a sip. The barman came over and placed the other man's order in front of him. He gave him a polite smile and thanked him.

"I forgot to introduce myself," the man said suddenly. "My name is Harry Hart."

Harry Hart. Oh, wow. Eggsy could probably drown in just his name.

"And your name is…?" Harry prompted after a prolonged silence, eyes twinkling.

"Ah! 'M name's Eggsy. Unwin. Well, technically it's Gary, but I hate that name and…" he rambled, trailing off awkwardly.

"Pleasure to meet you, Eggsy," Harry said, offering him a hand to shake. Eggsy took it firmly. Eggsy didn't notice the conflicting emotions running through Harry's head.

Oh, Harry knew that name. Unwin.

"Pleasure's all mine," Eggsy replied with a smile.

"To your friend's success with his soulmate," Harry said, raising his glass in toast. Eggsy clinked it. They drank. Harry let out a satisfied sigh after he set it down, half the liquid already drained.

"So, do you have a soulmate?" Eggsy asked casually.

"Sorry, Eggsy, classified." Eggsy gave him an amused look like, oh, I see how it is.

"What?" Eggsy protested. He noticed that same sad look on Harry's face flash by. One that he had seen reflected on his own face in the mirror countless times… "Oh, Harry. Are you Markless?" Harry stiffened slightly, before letting himself relax slightly. He looked considerably astonished.

"You've got a sharp eye, don't you?" Harry asked. "Yes, I am."

"Me too," Eggsy blurted out before he could stop himself. Harry looked at him in surprise. He noticed that Harry wore a beautiful watch around his wrist, and couldn't help but admire it. With a start, he suddenly realized the time. Before Harry could respond, Eggsy drained the rest of his drink. "Oh shit. I need to go," he added with regret. He didn't want to leave.

"Ah," Harry said, looking slightly disappointed. Or maybe that was just wishful thinking on Eggsy's part. "Well, it was a pleasure making your acquaintance, Eggsy. It was nice talking to you. I hope to see you again."

"Yeah, me too. See ya around, bruv." Eggsy leaped out of his chair and towards the door. He pushed the door open, twisting to catch a last glimpse of Harry. He suddenly became very aware of a peculiar sensation on his left wrist. He glanced at it, and nearly had a heart attack. A faint outline was appearing. He glanced up at Harry just as the door swung shut, before sprinting home. Excitement raced through him like an electric shock. Oh, his mum would be so pleased.

Meanwhile, inside the pub, Harry adjusted his watch. It was beginning to itch underneath the silver clasp. When adjusting it didn't help, he let out a small huff of frustration and peeled it off, drink still in hand. A moment later, the glass went crashing to the floor, spilling amber liquid all over the ground. But he barely noticed, because a small mark was slowly tracing itself into his skin.

-agent galahad