Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations all characters end up in. Everything else belongs to someone else and that's the way of it.

A Matter of Pride

Eggsy might have lost the vast majority of his mind, Harry was firm on believing that, but it would appear the boy still had more brainpower left than the rest of the people in the room who'd jumped on the idiot's idea and were running with it like the road runner being chased by that accident prone coyote. Or at least Eggsy only spent about five to seven minutes, though it seemed more like a lifetime to Harry, arguing with everyone about how their storylines should go before remembering that this insanity required Harry's seal of approval, which he most certainly wasn't going to give.

He was old, not senile.

"Now, Harry." Eggsy began while the others continued their own conversations, his soothing tone the one he typically used when trying to talk Harry into doing something he knew Harry wouldn't want to do. "I know you're thinking I'm mad here, and I get that, sorta. But let's break this down, alright? Can you argue that age aside, Taron is exactly Colin's type?"

Having never stopped to consider it, why would he, Harry opened his mouth to argue that of course that wasn't the case, only he couldn't. Because…Taron was actually very much Colin's type. For most of his time on the show Colin had been hopeless in love with Jack King, a charming, intelligent, handsome man who was born to lead and get away with just about everything with ease. Taron lacked Jack's selfishness and inability to truly empathize with others, but that wasn't exactly a bad thing. So no, he couldn't argue that not only was Taron Colin's type, but would most likely make him happy barring the obvious reasons why it would never work.

"There is the age difference though, Eggsy. The significant age different."

"I know. And I know what you think on the matter. I should by now, eh?" Eggsy winked at him before turning serious again. "But Harry, this is a soap. And we have the chemistry to make it work. You KNOW that we can pull it off without trying, much less if you and I do it deliberately. Or is O'Connell right about the difference between your abilities to play a sexy romantic lead, hmm?"

Oh that was hitting below the belt. So low Harry would have smacked Eggsy upside the head had they been alone.

Marcus O'Connell was the Joan Crawford to his Bette Davis. His ultimate and most hated rival in the business. He HATED the man with a passion he normally reserved for early mornings and death metal. They'd hated each other since they'd started to compete for roles in their twenties and the rivalry was still going strong all these years later. The other man two years his junior, which O'Connell had never let him forget, and while they'd been of similar age they'd been type casted into specific roles early on that had led to one of the most famous 'O'Connell' quotes of the twenty first century.

'Harry Hart is the sort of bloke women want to marry, and I'm the one they sleep with on the side.'

And what was worse was the fact that Harry couldn't argue that he'd been pigeonholed into that role either when it came to his movie roles. He was usually the adult version of the boy next door, or the trusted, steadfast friend/teacher/leader. Truth be told be hadn't had anything resembling a sex scene in over a decade. And even then…it was always more implied than him actually having any chance to prove that he might be quite capable of keeping his wife happy and satisfied in that department, thank you very much. If he were remotely interested in women, that is.

An elbow in his side. "Think what he'd say, seeing you and me."

And there was the rub, because he knew exactly what Eggsy meant by that. For years now he and O'Connell had pretty much broke even when it came to their rivalry. He did better in theater, O'Connell in films. On the other hand Harry had more awards and prestige, while the bastard was more popular and raked in more money thanks to the film work, which naturally paid more than the theatre. Harr was even willing to admit that O'Connell had once been the better looking man, only now he was aging better and took considerable pleasure in that. But aside from the genes that kept his hair from receding like OConnell's was starting to, Harry had always had something else that O'Connell wanted but couldn't have. And that was Eggsy.

The bisexual, conscienceless arse had been sniffing around the boy since Eggsy had hardly reached adulthood, and had even attempted to court Eggsy with possible role opportunities and expensive gifts over the years. Opportunities Eggsy's had turned down flat, and expensive gifts Eggsy had donated to charity, though the boy had been a bit misty eyed over the leather jacket Harry had it turn bought him one in thanks. And O'Connell, being O'Connell, just wanted Eggsy that much more because of it, especially since he was a man who was not the least used to being denied. The fact that Eggsy would have nothing to do with him because of his friendship with Harry just made the prick want to corrupt Eggsy that much more.

Harry felt shivers of delight course through him just imagining Marcus's face at even the idea of him and Eggsy's in a sex scene together, much less actually watching it on the telly. And it would be broadcasted and talked about everywhere, such was Eggsy's rising fame and their 'couple' notoriety at the moment.

Only his dignity and the thought that he would actually have to do sex scenes with Eggsy kept Harry from rubbing his hands together in glee.

Not that he had any problem with the idea of touching Eggsy, in all seriousness a scene between them would actually be more realistic than man he'd watched on the big screen of tell. Because aside from the fact that they were the closest of friends, Eggsy's affectionate nature meant that over the years Harry had not only gotten used to having that physical affection aimed in his direction, but making Eggsy happy by returning it to a degree even though he was not much for such displays even when it came to his own family. So touching wasn't the problem until one factored in the sexual nature of the touching.

He had very firmly and conscientiously placed Eggsy in the category of friend and honorary family years ago. That Eggsy had made it clear, both when they'd started working together and occasionally since then that he wouldn't be opposed to them becoming lovers, well, he'd always made it clear that that wasn't going to happen. Would never happen. It was a line that Eggsy had accepted, thankfully, and never pushed him on.

He wasn't blind. Harry knew, intellectually, the boy's considerable appeal both inside and out. Knew that in many ways they were well suited for each other, which was why they were such close friends. But he was too old for Eggsy, and had no intention of losing a good friend for a few months of fun, if that, before reality hit them square between the eyes. And he'd known that nine years ago, and only become more sure of it as the years passed. To the point where Eggsy was just Eggsy to him. He didn't see him as anything else, and Harry wanted it to stay that way. And right now his instincts said that them playing lovers would not only remind him of things he'd made considerable effort to ignore and forget, but might prompt Eggsy to try and start something again.

"Hey, none of whatever ya're thinking. It's not as bad as all that. I ain't gonna make ya go along with my idea if ya really don't like the idea." Though there was a hint of hurt in the boy's voice. "Look, I'll shut em up and tell them ta tell ya their other ideas instead of harping on mine. I'll even head out and ya can come by my place like we talked about before afterwards. I'll have dinner waitin for ya. Okay?"

"Deal." Harry agreed, not wanting to make things worse.

"Cheers."

)

A couple hours later Harry had to practically drag himself towards the building that housed Eggsy's flat, he was just that mentally exhausted. But if he tried to cancel Harry knew Eggsy would take it the wrong way, and that would lead to further complications he didn't want to deal with later on. This way at least he'd eat before he passed out, and if he passed out…well Eggsy's couch was extremely comfortable. He'd slept on it before, and Eggsy wouldn't hold it against him so long as he made him breakfast in the morning.

Thomas, the doorman, was at his post as per usual, though the man beside him wasn't someone Harry recognized. That he was wearing the uniform suggested he might be Sam's replacement. Eggsy had been glad to see that one retire, and Harry didn't blame him. Sam had looked down on the boy because of where he'd come from, and hadn't been shy about it.

"Good evening, Mr. Hart."

"Thomas. I hope your evening is going well."

"Can't complain. This here is Christopher; he'll be taking over for Sam. Christopher, this here is Mr. Hart. He's here for Mr. Unwin, and even if Eggsy isn't in you can just let him up. He has his own key."

"Mr. Hart. I'm a fan."

"Thank you. It's a pleasure." Offering his hand they shook, Harry approving of the man's handshake. "Good luck with your training. You're in good hands with Thomas."

"Better head up so Eggsy's doesn't eat all that food that just came by himself." Thomas advised with a knowing smile. "You both could do with a night in, if you don't mind me saying so."

"It's been a long day, yes. So I'll see you both in an hour or two unless I pass out on his couch."

And on that note Harry said his goodbyes and headed through the door Thomas held open for him, Harry noting that he could smell the Chinese food already. Though that would be because whenever Eggsy's ordered food in he more often than not insisted on getting something for the doorman working even though they always told him he didn't have to.

Shaking his head Harry headed for the lift and pushing in the number for Eggsy's floor allowed himself to lean back against the wall once the doors had closed behind him. And stayed that way up until he'd reached the correct floor, when good manners and necessity had Harry straightening up and donning his game face before stepping out into the hallway and walking the short distance to knock on Eggsy's door.

The sound of barking, little claws on wooden floors, and then Eggsy was opening the door with J.B. sitting at his side, body quivering with excitement.

"Fuck. What the hell did they do ta ya after I left?"

Not surprised that Eggsy had seen right through him, Harry just sighed and stated that he wasn't prepared to discuss it without food and alcohol.

"Got ya covered, Mate."

Shrugging out of his coat Harry hung it up on its usual peg and then crouched down to give J.B. a couple pats and strokes so that the little pug wouldn't feel ignored.

Thankfully J.B. seemed to sense this was not a night for them to play tug of war or cuddle, the dog giving Harry's hand a quick lick before he trotted off to flop down on one of his doggie beds to chew on a rawhide bone some more. It was a little too big for the little dog to handle, actually, but that wasn't stopping J.B., no surprise.

And the sight brought a real smile to Harry's face as he washed his hands in the kitchen before walking over to take a seat on the couch in front of the table that was currently laid out with cartons containing the Chinese food Eggsy hadn't already portioned out on their plates.

Their compromise, Harry thought as he accepted the Chinese beer Eggsy handed over to him with thanks. He ate on the couch, and in exchange they were using real plates and not straight out of the cartons as had been Eggsy's habit before.

And using chopsticks, of course. Eggsy had picked that up quickly too, thankfully.

Passing the first few minutes in companionable silence, Harry felt himself relaxing, and was terribly glad all of a sudden that he'd come. Even if Eggsy wasn't going to like what he had to say.

"The majority of their ideas were worse than yours. I'd like to think, for the sake of their sanities, that they just liked your idea so much that they suggested horrible alternatives to make your idea sound even better. But I think their long term exposure to the show has severely diminished their grips on reality. And their sanities."

"That's fair." Eggsy nodded sagely. "And I know that means ya ain't gonna do it. It's okay, really. I started thinking it over, thinking about what they were saying ta make my idea more fleshed out, ya know, and I realized why ya don't want to do it. And it's okay. I get it."

Knowing the younger man well, Harry wasn't about to think he'd won just yet. "You do?"

"Yeah. I mean it's hard enough when you're in your prime, much less someone your age. I mean if you'd ever done sex scenes in your career that would be one thing, but ya ain't, so who can blame ya for freaking out at the idea of doing some at your age. I mean I didn't think it would faze ya because you're a professional, and really fit besides, but…hey, so ya ain't Helen Mirren. No big."

"Helen Mirren?" Harry repeated dumbly.

"Yeah. I mean she went TOPLESS for that 'Calendar Girls' movie she did, like, a decade and a half ago. Now that took fucking balls, and anyone who says she don't got im is off his nutter."

"Helen Mirren is practically old enough to be my mother!"

"I know. She one tough old broad."

"Eggsy. I am NOT afraid to do a sex scene. I was doing them before you were born."

"Harry, Mate, I've watched your movies, remember? Goin shirtless and kissin a bird in bed ain't a sex scene." A sympathetic pat to his shoulder that just pissed Harry off more. "And like I said, it ain't for everyone. I mean I ain't got a problem with it, but I ain't as…English as you? Or maybe it's just the difference in our generations?"

Feeling a twitch develop under his eye, it took considerable restraint on Harry's part not to let his insult or anger show. "I don't want to go along with your idea because I don't think us playing lovers is a good idea. Not because I don't think I'm up to it professionally."

"Sure it is. My mistake."

Now he was being humored. Eggsy was all but patting him on the head, Harry silently fumed as the boy gamely went back to eating like he hadn't just impinged Harry's manhood, professional ability, and guts.

Yes he'd never done anything explicit, even during his time on the soap, but that was simply because he'd never been cast in a role that called for it. It was as simple as that. Nor was it fear holding him back now that he was, in a roundabout way, being offered such a role. He was more than up to the role and was, as Eggsy had said, quite fit, thank you very much. He was fitter than some men Eggsy's age, in fact. He often got mistaken as being younger than he was. He had nothing to be ashamed of.

And then another thought occurred to him that had the food he'd eaten grumble in his stomach.

"Shit. This is going to make the rounds, isn't it?"

"What you mean?"

"Everyone we talked to today, they'll talk to others and before you know it everyone will be talking about your idea and how I turned it down." And what if they all thought the same thing as Eggsy? What if they assumed he turned down the idea just because he was afraid of doing a real sex scene? Or worse…didn't think he was in good enough shape to do it. And the people from the meeting would talk to the cast, and just off the top of his head Harry could think of three hardcore gossips between the cast and crew who would make sure everyone they knew in the business knew. Gossip that would only get worse as it went from person to person until lord only knows what reason people would be giving for him turning the role down. Many of them would ask Eggsy too…and what if he told them…

Over his dead and rotting corpse.

"Fuck. I'll do it."

"Do what?"

Giving Eggsy a look that hopefully conveyed the fact that Eggsy wasn't nearly as cute and innocent as he thought he was, Harry took a deep, resigned breath and stated the only answer he could give to maintain his pride and standing in the acting community.

"I'll agree to appear in the show provided that they go with your storyline idea. Though I'm going to demand final say on all plot points involving-"

Giving a war whoop Eggsy launched himself at Harry for a hug, the boy's face lit up with delight.

"Ya ain't gonna regret this, Harry. You'll see."

Oh yes, Harry silently contradicted him. I will.