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.
Marked As His
Harry glanced around him as he sat cross-legged on the hardwood floor of his small study, taking in the growing number of packed boxes around him with some surprise. He honestly hadn't thought that there would be much aside from his clothes that he'd want to take with him when he moved in with Eggsy, but even aside from that and all the items he intended to donate to charity there was still quite a lot he was going to have to try and fit in his new place. And alright, it had turned out that he had far more clothing than he'd previously realized thanks to the size of his walk in closet.
But at least he was almost done, Harry told himself, sure that he only had his desk left to go through and then everything would either be in its appropriately labeled box or was remaining behind for Chester to do as he liked with. As it was he was honestly surprised his soon to be ex mate hadn't assigned someone to watch Harry pack up his belongings to make sure he didn't take any of the King family heirlooms Harry had had fostered onto him over the years. He wouldn't have thought the man aware enough to realize Harry wouldn't want them. But either way he was glad Chester wasn't around to bother him, especially since Harry was willing to bet a fair amount of money that the man wouldn't be thrilled to see that Harry was planning to get rid of just about everything the man had ever given him, not wanting an reminders of their time together. Or just plain not wanting them, as his own tastes had never been worth considering in Chester's books. Thankfully, if asked, he had the handy excuse that it would be disrespectful of him to bring presents from his previous mating into his new mate's home all ready too.
Hearing footsteps coming towards him that he recognized as Percival's, Harry turned his head, expecting that he would once again have to reassure the man that no, he didn't need anyone's help with his packing. The man was too much like his father to easily accept the idea of an omega doing any sort of physical labor when a dominant was around to do it for him, so this would be the fourth time Harry had had to reassure his bodyguard that he was fine and didn't require assistance.
But to Harry's surprise his bodyguard hadn't come to offer help, but to inform him that the man's mother had dropped by and would like to speak to him for a few minutes if he was available to receive him.
"How much of a mess am I?"
Percival's eyes scanned over him with professional detachment. "You might want to change first."
"Show him into the parlor then, and I'll be right back."
Nodding his head Percival headed back the way he'd come while Harry got to his feet and quickly headed for his bedroom to change into one of the few outfits he'd left unpacked since he was stuck here for three more days.
A brief look in the mirror confirmed that he didn't look terribly dishevelled, which was reassuring, and after a hurried wipe down with a wash cloth to remove the sweat he'd work up Harry switched into the tailored trousers and designer jumper he'd set out for latter. Then, once properly attired, Harry headed out to greet his friend, not wanting to keep Colin waiting any longer than necessary.
Not that the omega would complain or even comment if he was a tad tardy, but it was the principle of the point. Colin was essentially perfect, and trying to live up to the standards the man set for himself was impossible, but Harry did try to insure that Colin didn't worry about him, which he knew his friend did constantly.
Colin was essentially every dominant's idea of a dream omega, from the beauty of his face to his slender build that nonetheless had brought forth FIVE children, four of them powerful dominants with Percival being his oldest and Roxanne, Eggsy's best friend, being the youngest. Though to look at Colin you'd think he was as young as Percival because yes, he was just that perfect. Add in the fact that Colin lived for his family's happiness, made everyone fall in love with him within minutes of meeting him, and was just genuinely one of the nicest and kindest people Harry had ever met…well, it would be so easy to hate him if he wasn't so easy to love.
"Consort." As always Colin gave him the most graceful of bows when he walked in, Harry never having succeeded in convincing his friend that when they were alone he could treat him as an equal.
"Not for much longer." And wasn't that wonderful. "How are you, Colin?"
"I'm well, thank you for asking. I hope I didn't come at a bad time, my son tells me you've been busy packing things up for your move."
The fact that Colin thought someone else should have taken on that task for him went unsaid, but Harry heard it loud and clear regardless. But putting that aside Harry assured him that he was happy for the company, and invited him to take a seat.
Thanking him Colin did so, politely declining the offer for refreshments. "I really can't stay long, though I wish I could. We've had to hire a new cook, and I need to be home to make sure he prepares Edward's dinner properly." A regretful look. "I wanted to come sooner so that we could chat, but the Guild Master waylaid me to talk about his upcoming nuptials and future wife."
Sharing a look both thought but didn't say that if it had been possible King would have taken Colin as his decades ago. But Colin belonged to Edward in every way, their souls so entwined they could speak telepathically and sense each other's emotions, and had Chester arranged for Edward's death and succeeded Colin would have followed his mate into the next life just as quickly. And if their children hadn't torn Chester to bits for their parents' deaths, Colin's father would have done much worse. Ergo the Guild Master had settled for Harry after his first wife died.
"So what brings you by?" Harry asked, thinking to spare them both thoughts of Chester and his soon to be wife.
"Eggsy, actually."
While many members of their Guild couldn't understand why, Eggsy was actually quite dear to Colin. The boy was considered practically a member of the Morton family, and Colin fussed over Eggsy as much as he did the rest of his children.
"He sent you to see me in his place?" An excellent move on Eggsy's part, Harry mused, especially since Chester had a very hard time saying no to Colin.
"It was my idea, actually. You see he asked me to come with him to pick out your mating bracelet, and while we were there he informed me of something I thought we should run by you first."
Mentally breathing a sigh of relief that Eggsy had had the sense to ask for help, especially as Colin had wonderful taste, Harry took a moment to be glad before asking what else Eggsy was up to.
"Well he has a rather…unorthodox idea. Which I completely understand, he has spent the majority of his life around humans and therefore it's only logical that he should have grown up with their customs and ways of thinking. But basically, he's had a mating bracelet created for himself to wear."
Brows furrowing in confusion, Harry had to take a moment to understand why Eggsy would do such a thing given that dominants were not expected to wear anything that suggested they were owned by their omega. Most of them would die laughing first. But given what Colin had implied… "He…sees them as a sort of wedding ring?"
"Exactly." Colin looked relieved that he'd figured it out. "And while I pointed out that you could just have normal wedding rings later, if you wished and he wanted to honor that tradition, but he says that he wants the bracelet too. His idea is that after he's placed his on your wrist you'll do the same for him at the ceremony. He plans to talk to the Keeper about it when she arrives so he'll have her permission. I said you should be consulted first about it though, and he agreed. He'll also just wear his bracelet later on, and not combine it with the ceremony if that's what you'd prefer. Though he doesn't care for that compromise overly."
Mouth opening a little in shock, Harry didn't know quite what to think. He'd never imagined that Eggsy would want to wear some visible proof that they were a mated pair.
"It isn't done, I know, but it…it would mean a lot to him. He had it engraved with the Hart family crest and it's quite lovely, really."
Given that Colin was the perfect omega, who lived by the rules and customs of their kind, it said a lot that he was remotely encouraging Harry to go along with Eggsy's plan.
And though Harry couldn't see the boy's choice going over terribly well…if it would make Eggsy happy to have Harry place that bracelet around his wrist in front of everyone, then that was what he would do. There was nothing he wouldn't do for him.
"Tell him I support his plan, and can't wait to see it and him."
"I will."
)
The last few days leading up to the dissolution of his bond with Chester and his joining with Eggsy flew by terribly quickly after that. It helped that Harry kept himself as busy as he could, and before he knew it was standing in the room that had been assigned to him and Eggsy for their first night as mates. Naturally Harry wished they'd just been allowed to go home after the ceremony, but Chester had insisted and it wasn't like they could say no to the master of their guild without a damn good reason. And at least the bed was a king sized, so there'd be plenty of room for them both to spread out without annoying each other while they slept. Not that he knew how much room Eggsy took up on a bed, or would need to know after this. Especially since Eggsy was more of a morning person than he was, and would probably be up most mornings before he was.
But looking away from the bed, it was doing weird things to his insides to look at it, Harry focused on looking himself over in the mirror while resisting the urge to fiddle with his tie or other parts of his suit. He looked the best that he could at this point, and it was only nerves that had him thinking there was anything else he could do to make himself look better.
It did help a little to wrap his fingers around his left wrist, appreciating the fact that there was no bracelet there as yet. The much hated King bracelet was currently in his pocket as opposed to his wrist since it needed to be handed over to Chester as a sign that they were no longer mated. Technically the other man was supposed to remove it from his wrist in front of everyone, but that wasn't possible since it had been magically altered already for Veronica. Thank the gods. So he'd just hand it over and get the whole ceremony over with so that they could move on to the next one. The one where he and Eggsy would exchange bracelets and vows. And while Harry thought himself a fool for thinking so, he had to admit that the idea of Eggsy wearing a bracelet marking him as belonging to Harry made him happy now that he'd had more time to get used to the idea. Even if this wasn't going to be a real mating.
Admittedly it had taken him longer than it should have, Harry acknowledged ruefully, but he'd finally figured out what Eggsy must plan to do when it came to seeing to his sexual needs. With everything Eggsy had said and implied during their chaperoned visit Harry had been at a loss, but now he was fairly sure that his future dominant intended to only take human lovers. Given the way their kind viewed human, not to mention it would be much easier for Eggsy to be discreet that way, Harry had to admit the answer should have been obvious to him. Eggsy was too considerate to take a lover among their own kind, knowing that it would be discovered eventually with everyone knowing that once again Harry had been cast aside for another.
That he still didn't like the idea was just his foolish, selfish pride, Harry told himself, pushing those thoughts aside as well.
He would be happy living with Eggsy, and they'd have children and work together. And that was more than he could have ever hoped to have. That he'd never have a real mating…that didn't matter. He'd be happy with the gifts he would have.
A clearing of a throat behind him.
"Consort, it's time."
"Then I guess I had better be on time for once, especially given the occasion. Thank you, Tristan."
"My pleasure. And I…we, your guards, want you to know that we wish you all the best, and will miss you terribly. We've also made it clear to Eggsy that he's to treat you well or answer to us too, so just let us know if we need to take the pup to task."
Laughing, Tristian's comment reminded Harry of how his guards had viewed Eggsy as a puppy when he'd first come to work with them. Endlessly energetic, determined to get into everything, and completely incapable of not being adorably cute even when he was driving you mad with his antics.
"Thank you, Tristan. It's been my honor to be your consort, and I'll miss you all as well."
Nodding his head Tristan gave him a smile and then motioned for him to proceed, Harry nodding back as he took a deep breath and then started forward, the guards waiting for him at the door moving into position to guard his front while Tristan brought up the rear.
All together they moved through the various hallways and then outside where the ceremony would take place. The sight of all the other members of their Guild, as well as the specially invited guests, was a jolt, especially when Harry saw the way a number of the other dragons were looking at him, as most gave him the bows due his present position, while others did not in anticipation of what was to come. Some looked with pity in their eyes, smirks or smiles of pleasure graced the faces of those who had never been his friends or simply loved the excitement and intrigue that these coming ceremonies would provide them. Technically speaking he was doing a walk of shame, an omega who was being discarded by his dominant because he could not fulfill his duties or provide his mate with a heir. Most would think he should be hanging his head in shame.
But since he was well rid of his mate and the role of consort Harry held his head high as he walked up the main aisle where, on the raised stone platform, waited the Keeper for their Guild.
All Keepers were seers, their extreme dislike of being surrounded by the minds and life forces of many leading them to prefer solitary lives away from the Guilds they were assigned to oversee. They only visited when called for or if they had a vision indicating their presence was needed. The Keepers also acted as historians and advisors, their ability to see into the past as well as the future an invaluable tool.
The Keeper before him, they were never called by their birth names, was very old and very dominant, the power of her presence alone enough to unnerve and unsettle those around her so that no one stood too close to the platform. The instinctual wariness and deference she inspired served her well, Harry thought as he met her gaze, as no one was general stupid enough to seek her out for knowledge or help without a damn good reason.
For himself Harry found her slightly unnerving, but she had always been oddly respectful and courteous to him whenever they'd crossed paths. Which had driven Chester crazy, especially since the Keeper had never hidden the fact that she didn't like the present master of their Guild, and for that reason alone Harry liked her.
Bowing low to her, and receiving a small nod in return, Harry took his place to her left.
"You are well, I hope."
"Yes, Keeper. Thank you. I hope you are well, also."
"I am. I've been looking forward to this day for quite a while."
Surprised, Harry blinked at her, manners preventing him from asking her just what she had seen, that she was actually looking forward to Veronica becoming consort of their guild. She couldn't be happy for his sake, she barely knew him after all and there was nothing special about him. So whatever she'd seen, it had to be great enough to balance out the trouble Veronica would cause and the poor Keeper having to deal with the woman until the seer passed away.
Harry couldn't begin to imagine what she might have seen to make her happy, unless it was Chester's untimely death.
Her gaze lowered to his left arm. "You've already removed the bracelet, I see."
"Yes, it needed to be resized for its future wearer."
"You were never meant to wear his bracelet, Harry Hart." The way her eyes bore into his, slitted and all but glowing with power, made it clear that her words were far from idle conversation while they waited for the ceremony to start. "The one you shall be given tonight is a different matter, however. The boy who will claim you this night was meant to be your mate."
Forcing himself not to comment, especially since the hush that had fallen across the crowds before them indicated that his soon to be ex mate had arrived, Harry simply nodded and then turned his head to watch the dominant he was about to divorce come walking up the aisle with his own guards, the man's strides making his impatience clear. A man eager to get this done and over with.
But that was fair; Harry was just as eager to get this done and over with.
