Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations all characters find themselves in. Thanks for reading, hope you enjoy this latest chapter.

Parlor Drama

It was with great love for Eggsy that Harry held in his laughter and his desire to give the boy a very juvenile high five for that perfect executed burn which had Veronica sputtering like a landed fish as she struggled and failed to get ahold of herself. There were flames in her eyes too, but none of the men in the room with her were really worried about that. They were all impervious to fire after all, and if she were to lose control and stupidly attack Eggsy she'd lose as the boy was considered one of the most lethal dragons in their guild despite his young age. And if Veronica attacked Harry…he'd kill her and have two witnesses to the fact that she'd committed a treasonous attack and that would be that no matter what Chester might want.

Accepting the tea and saucer his maid offered him Harry smiled at her, having requested that the woman serve the tea so that he wouldn't at any point in this meeting have to do anymore for his mate's bitch than manners strictly demanded.

Giving ever appearance that nothing was wrong as well, Eggsy accepted his own tea with thanks and then informed Harry that the renovations on the house were going very well and according to schedule. Though best of all was the fact that a couple days ago he'd discovered the boxes stored in the attic containing some very interesting things.

Eyes narrowing instinctively at the devilish gleam in his boy's eyes, Harry asked what he'd found while desperately trying to think of what might be up there related to him. He had no idea what Andrew might have given the man's love of collecting things.

"Three boxes with your name on it. Lots of yearbooks, school reports…pictures."

Groaning, which was obvious the reaction Eggsy had been aiming for judging by the beaming smile he was gifted with, Harry adopted a stern expression. "I'm sure your mother has plenty of interesting pictures to show me as well should I ask to see them."

"Not really, no. But I have picked a number of yours to be framed and hung."

"I would imagine some of those pictures were quite interesting. A look into your father's time in a way." Veronica interjected with a sweet smile, tea in hand and a very fake smile curving her lips.

"Yeah, no, not really. They didn't meet till they were both grown men after all. My dad wasn't around to see Harry here looking like an adorable little cherub."

"A what!"

"A cherub. With your pretty curls and chubby cheeks. You was friggin adorable, Harry."

Aware that he was blushing and having no idea how to respond to that, Harry was grateful that the maid was handing over a plate with his food on it so that he could concentrate on taking it from her and not think about the fact that Eggsy thought he'd looked like a cherub when he was a young boy.

"It really is a pity he can't give you any little cherub children just like he once was."

Now that blow hit hard and left lasting hurt, wiping any previous good thoughts from Harry's mind. Because yes, he'd always imagined that he'd someday have children who looked like him. That if nothing else he'd have children to make his existence more bearable as he loved children and had never bonded with either of his step children, who'd resented him for taking their mother's place.

"Well maybe not ones that looked like Harry, but children, definitely."

Head snapping in shock Harry stared at Eggsy, unable to understand but needing an answer.

"Even if we can't have children ourselves there's always adoption." Was the boy's matter-of-fact response, his eyes holding Harry's gaze steady. "We both love children after all, and there are plenty of wee ones in the world who need a good home. Though we'll wait a little bit, give us time for just us before our worlds revolve around scratched knees and baby proofin everythin in sight. Right, Harry?"

Nodding automatically Harry's mind whirled with this shocker. Their kind rarely ever adopted outside their kind, any human children they brought into the fold doomed to die before them and far more likely to die of the many perils of a weak, human form. And he'd always known that Chester would never consider letting him adopt, his mate despising the human race like they were insects constantly finding their way into his world against his will. But Eggsy himself was technically more human than dragon in his bloodline, so of course he would be willing….

Beaming a smile at Eggsy, Harry couldn't have been more pleased at the idea of raising children with Eggsy in the future. Having that joy, even if they weren't his in blood, it was just one more gift to be unspeakably thankful for.

"You expect to adopt multiple human children?" There was definitely a hint of distain in Veronica's voice. "Though I suppose given your bloodlines, Galahad, you're well used to being surrounded by humans."

Making a sound of agreement Eggsy smiled at her like he wasn't perfectly aware that had meant to be a shot. Most dragons took issue with being reminded if their family trees weren't pure pedigree. But Eggsy took pride in the fact that he was a mutt who shouldn't have been able to transform or even really be considered a dragon given his bloodlines. Eggsy could transform though, his dragon powerful and deadly, and while he had few magical gifts aside from his second form the boy was fine with that. Or at least had learned to hide any injury he took in that regard and Harry was immensely pleased about the progress Eggsy had made there.

Meeting Eggsy's gaze Harry smiled at him, the boy smiling back with equal affection before raising his cup of tea in a small salute, Harry grinning as he did the same.

Veronica just glared.

Ignoring that fact Eggsy thanked Harry for indeed getting him his favorites, the boys obvious enjoyment of the frosted cakes in general making Harry roll his eyes affectionately. Though once they were living together he could finally do something about the fact that the boy far too often seemed to consist on take away and junk food. Which would be a struggle, Harry mentally acknowledged, especially since he'd be allowed to eat whatever the hell he wanted once he was out of this place too.

Lips curving, Harry couldn't help but recall an article he'd read once about how women often ended up gaining weight after marrying a man because they adjusted their meal sizes to suit their husbands. It would be interesting to see whether they both lost or gained a stone or two in the future.

And then proving that the bitch was nothing if not tenacious in her quest to make this meeting miserable for the two of them, Veronica turned her head to smile at Eggsy as she oh so casually commented that he must be really busy lately, preparing for the coming mating ceremony.

"Not really, the Guild Master made it clear that I just need to show up, really."

Normally there would have been a ceremony of some note, especially given Harry's status within the Guild even without King for a mate, but Chester had decreed that Harry and Eggsy would have their mating ceremony right after the dissolution of Harry's mating with the Guild Master. The excuse was that both he and Eggsy had no close family within their guild; humans were not allowed at such ceremonies, so a big ceremony wasn't needed since it would only be their friends attending anyway. There was also the fact that the Keeper, who was coming to officiate over the events, would only be staying with their Guild for two days before leaving, so it made sense to get Harry and Eggsy's mating over with the first day, and then the next day be devoted to the lavish ceremony being planned for the Guild Master and his future consort. Two huge ceremonies back to back would be a bit much after all, at least according to Chester. They couldn't take away from the new consort's big day; that just wasn't done. So the plans for their own mating ceremony were simple, but Harry was actually just fine with that and had told Eggsy so. His first ceremony had been a massive, several months long migraine, and just having to show up, exchange vows and proof of their ties…that sounded pretty much heavenly to him.

Eggsy had gotten a laugh over that apparently, judging from the message Harry had gotten in response, and so the dominant hadn't argued or tried to push for a proper ceremony. The Mortons had offered to host a dinner party to celebrate their mating the week after the ceremony with only their nearest and dearest invited. That was perfect as far as Harry was concerned.

Pulling himself out of his musing since it was never a good idea to space out around an enemy, Harry listened to a few minutes of Veronica detailing the over the top ceremony she and her wedding planner were apparently planning before the woman made her next swipe at them.

"And of course I'm so looking forward to seeing Lady Tilde at both our ceremonies. I was thrilled when she wrote back stating that she wouldn't miss it, though you two are such good friends that I suppose it's only natural that she'd drop everything to come, Galahad."

Oh that bitch, she'd invited one of Eggsy's lovers to their mating ceremony just to shove it everyone's face that the stunning Tilde, the daughter of Sweden's most powerful Guild Master, was the sort of lover Eggsy preferred. Not someone like Harry, who he was being forced to mate with.

"Actually, she's a little miffed at me. But she'll come around."

"Yes, I'm sure you'll be able to convince her that you'll stay…friends even after your mating."

Both well aware of what she was implying, Harry didn't see Eggsy's next words coming.

"Yes, we'll stay friends. We just won't be lovers ever again."

Almost in perfect synch Harry and Veronica's jaws dropped a little at the bold statement. It wasn't shock that he'd admitted the two had been lovers in the past, all the guilds were well aware of the woman's adventurous sexual nature and the numerous lovers she'd had since her teens. Tilde's particular fondness for Eggsy was well known despite his low status, and the two were openly affectionate and flirtatious when together. No, what was shocking was the fact that Eggsy was implying his sexual relationship with one of the most desirable female dragons in the world was now over because he would soon be Harry's mate.

Veronica was the first to recover. "I can see why she and your other lovers would be quite annoyed with you. You must have been quite busy, saying good bye to them all recently."

"A gentleman doesn't have multiple lovers at one time." Was Eggsy oh so proper and British reply, doing a rather excellent imitation of Lord Morton if Harry wasn't wrong. "And anyone I've slept with in the past knows me well enough to know that I'm monogamous, not to mention the fact that I'd have no interest in someone who'd pursue me knowing I was in a relationship. Desperate people who can't get their own lovers and have to steal others by becoming their side pieces…I've never seen the appeal. Who wants someone else's leftovers, after all?"

Harry had just a moment to think that what Eggsy was saying made no sense, because the boy couldn't possibly be insinuating that he intended to be celibate for the duration of their mating, and then Veronica was out of her seat, her intent to let Eggsy have it clearly written on her face.

Which was why Harry pushed his puzzling thoughts aside for the moment and in one swift move got up to neatly intercept her, physically putting himself in front of Eggsy to make it clear that if Veronica wanted at his boy, she was going to have to get through him. And while his height and build had long been bemoaned by others, as omegas were supposed to be smaller and much more delicately built, in this case it came in handy.

Plus if she did hit him instead of Eggsy, he could legitimately have thrown out of his rooms so fast her head would spin.

Well aware of this, Veronica had gone still and now stared up at him with hate filled eyes. "You two really do deserve each other."

"I couldn't agree more."

The squeeze Eggsy gave his shoulder made it clear his boy was with him, one hundred percent.

)

Harry wasn't surprised, nor was Eggsy, apparently, when there were no more scheduled visits after that first one. Veronica had ended up cutting their one meeting short as it was when it became clear that the two of them were a force to be reckoned with when together. There was also the fact that it was almost unheard of for his mate's mistress and himself to be left nearly alone, so the meeting had really been Harry's first opportunity to butt heads with the bitch and show her what he was capable of when he took his gloves off, so to speak, and chose to behave a little less than the gentleman he should be. It had been very satisfying and refreshing to say the least.

But yes, any meetings with Eggsy were now a no go thanks to Veronica no doubt running to Chester to make sure of that as soon as the first one ended. And Harry had seen that coming, and so had resigned himself to the fact that he wasn't likely to see his future mate until the ceremony that would mark the end of his reign as the Guild's consort. A day he couldn't wait for, especially since what was to come gave Harry another gift he'd forgotten about with everything else occupying his mind.

When Chester came to his room and informed him that he required his mating bracelet so that it could be cleaned and altered for Veronica, it was all Harry could do not to get up and dance with glee, especially since he could see that the idiot actually thought Harry would object to having the hated thing removed prematurely. Stupid man. Harry couldn't unbutton his shirt sleeve fast enough as he pushed up the material to reveal the 'priceless' King family heirloom bracelet that marked him as Chester's property.

Like far too many of their kind the King family liked to go overboard in demonstrating their wealth, surrounding themselves and their persons with gold and precious stones whenever possible. Chester was actually more restrained in that area than a lot of his relatives, but that was mostly because the guild master preferred to hoard his wealth in his bank accounts instead of wearing it. But this bracelet was over three hundred years old, and was covered in jewels that just added to the weight of the thick gold encircling his wrist.

Harry was fairly sure his arm muscles were more developed on his left than his right, despite being right handed, because he'd had to weight lift the damn thing every second of his existence for decades. He literally couldn't take it off, Chester's magic preventing anyone but him from being able to remove it unless someone was willing to hack off the limb itself.

As he watched Chester's now slitted eyes stare down at the bracelet, using his mind to work his magic as all dragons did, Harry bit down on his bottom a lip to keep any sound of relief or pleasure from escaping as the bracelet snapping open echoed in the quiet room before Chester basically yanked it away from him like he hated the idea of touching Harry longer than was completely necessary.

Not that he was complaining about that either, Harry too busy staring at the fingers he'd automatically wrapped around his naked feeling wrist. He could feel the difference in skin texture that marked where the bracelet had encased his skin, like it was still branding him as Chester's. But unwrapping his fingers after a moment Harry stared at his arm, actually feeling the need to tear up a little at the loss of that bracelet.

No more, he thought as he ran his fingers over the tender skin. Never again.

"I'm sure Unwin will replace it with something…befitting you."

Oh. Yes. Eggsy's bracelet would go there now.

Blinking in surprise Harry had to admit that he was a little worried about that now that Chester had reminded him that this was only a temporary reprieve before another dominant gave him a new bracelet claiming him as his. And it wasn't the fact that Eggsy couldn't possibly afford anything close to the previous bracelet…it was that Eggsy didn't have the best taste in jewelry.

Which didn't matter, Harry told himself sternly, forceful refusing to recall some of the chav pieces the boy had worn before Eggsy had come under his tutelage. After all, most anything was better than the gaudy thing he'd been stuck with all these years. If nothing else it would be significantly less weighty and cumbersome. His tailor would appreciate that.

Feeling Chester's eyes on him Harry looked up to meet the other man's gaze, well aware that their near identical height was just one more thing his mate hated about him. But it wasn't hate he saw in the other dragon's eyes, in fact Harry wasn't ever sure that he'd ever seen his mate look at him this way before. It wasn't quite regret…maybe nostalgia? Not that that made a lot of sense either considering the fact that it wasn't like they had many good times to recall even at the start of their marriage. So no, actually, Harry had no idea how to interpret the look he was being given.

But it made him feel the need to say something, anything to soften the mood of the room, but even as he opened his mouth Chester's face hardened and just that quickly Harry knew to close his mouth and say nothing.

They really had nothing to say to each other after all.