"Claire, can you come here for a moment?" Ector called out from the kitchen. He and a small group of movers had just finished bringing in the last of the items shipped from Kentucky and what had been purchased locally to furnish the new house.
"In the den, Ector." I called back. Jocelyn and I were in the middle of centering the oversized wall clock she persuaded me into purchasing. It seemed she had an eye for more than just fashion design so I allowed her to take the reins when it came to décor, but within reason.
With Champ and Statesman's help we were able to securely move the few items I requested from my home in Kentucky, mostly documents and Pop's guns, as well as the remainder of my personal items that had yet to be sent after my initial departure to London. I opted out of moving any furniture so that the house stayed how MeMaw and Pop left it but also to have a secondary home should I need it.
I heard footsteps making their way down the hall from the kitchen, passing the connected dining room and small supply closet. One by one the four movers waved goodbye as I thanked them for their assistance once again. As the last man stepped out of the house Ector peaked his head around the corner, eyeing Jocelyn and I as we struggled to correctly measure the width of the wall.
"Did you need something?" The tape measure slipped and began its erratic retreat with enough clattering to wake the dead.
"Never mind, it's been sorted. Do you ladies need assistance?" He laughed.
"Yes, please." I nearly begged.
"No, we've got this." Jocelyn answered at the same time.
We exchanged looks as I remained perched at the top of the ladder, precariously leaning over to hold the tape in place once again. It was easy for her to say, she wasn't the one risking a flamingo stance on the top rung. Not that it would be a far fall, but I wasn't looking to test any gravitational theories today.
I stared at Jocelyn as I reiterated my answer, "Yes, we would love some help."
I barely contained the urge to stick my tongue out as she side eyed me.
Ector smiled and held his hand out to assist in my decent from my four-foot vertical climb. If there was one thing I loved most about working for an independent intelligence agency, other than working for an independent intelligence agency, was the idea that the suit was the armor of a modern gentleman. Even when it came off.
A knock sounded at the front door just as Ector and I began to remeasure. Jocelyn stepped away to answer and as I peered over my shoulder to inspector our visitor.
"Oh, hello there." Jocelyn opened the door wider, allowing whoever was there entry.
Eggsy stood in the doorway, dressed in mid grey wool trousers with a matching double breasted suit jacket and black Oxfords that were perfectly polished. It was one of my favorite suits as it brought out the colors in his eyes, but it also highlighted his frame very nicely. Normally, he would style this particular set with his signature navy blue and striped silk tie, but he instead opted for a solid burgundy one that blended well with the suit's fabric texture and dark coloring. He sported the latest in Kingsman accessories and software, a pair of dark framed eyeglasses, leather banded watch and a signet ring. The breeze outside had mussed his hair slightly and carried the scent of his cologne in with its greeting. I belatedly realized that he not only carried an umbrella, but also a paper wrapped arrangement of flowers.
It was a damn good thing that being a gentleman wasn't going out of style. On behalf of all womankind I want to thank Kingsman Tailor Shop for this moment.
"H-Hey," I never stumbled with my words, but after our last conversation Eggsy had informed me that he would be leaving on assignment for a week. I hadn't expected him to show today as I was under the impression he would leave out this morning. "C'mon in."
Eggsy placed a friendly peck against Jocelyn's cheek as they exchanged a quick hug, with the opening of Cain & Co. and Eggy's work within the agency they rarely had the opportunity to see one another.
"Need some help there, mate?" Eggsy maneuvered around numerous boxes spread through out the den. As he approached, I gently took the arrangement from his arms, the sweet gesture brought out a smile.
"Thank you." I quickly kissed his cheek and moved out of the way to let the men handle things. "I'm just going to put these into some water."
I excused myself to the kitchen to rummage through the number of cabinets we had already unpacked and the boxes that remained in hopes of finding a vase of some sort. What I found was a glass water pitcher that would do for the time being, just to keep them hydrated until I could find something else. I placed the pitcher in the sink and filled it half full of water, then began to gently unwrap the flowers from the brown floral paper. The arrangement was a beautiful blend of flowers ranging from dusty pink lilies, pale pink hydrangeas, large dahlias in a beautiful pale peach and roses of varying sizes and colors; peach garden roses with full, luscious blooms, traditional white roses, and smaller spray roses in a color I could only refer to as peaches and cream. The florist added in a few eucalyptus sprigs for greenery and tied everything together with a simple piece of ribbon. I didn't want to disrupt the arrangement of the flowers, so I merely placed them in the pitcher for the time being until I could get Jocelyn's assistance in moving them.
After tossing the paper I decided to finish up unpacking some of the leftover boxes. I'd been working on them throughout the day but put them on hold when the movers came with the kitchenette and bedroom furniture and a few other odds and ends. The townhouse was two levels, the first level held the main living areas as well as a half bath and supply closet, while upstairs there were the two bedrooms, the smaller of which would become my study, and a single bathroom.
Ector and I had spent weeks touring different locations before I settled on this townhouse, I didn't want to be in an apartment location or too far from the shop in case of an emergency. The charm of the exterior and the location were a huge selling point for me, but mostly the feeling of home when I walked in. I could immediately imagine myself in each room, settling into the breakfast nook in the kitchen or having my Christmas tree on full display in the front windows.
"This is it." I had told Ector. I don't think I stopped smiling as we toured the entire house, if anything my smile grew more and more.
With the updates made to the interior favoring more of a modern craftsman style I decided to work with it and use a lot of earth tones and bohemian vibes. Jocelyn and I spent a lot of time searching for the furniture that would fit best with the space while also fitting my aesthetic and I was happy to see it all finally coming together.
Lucky for me the remainder of the kitchen unpacking was mostly pots and pans and smaller cooking appliances for which I had reserved a specific cabinet for the cookware as well as the toaster oven. The last box was a mixture of hand towels and curtains for the window over the sink and the modest breakfast nook. To save space, while still allowing for more seating, we had a contractor come in to install a shelf style bench that would go well with the breakfast table and single chair I had chosen.
The kitchen itself was a decent size in comparison to the others I had seen around the area, so I was happy to say that I could comfortably cook a full-size meal. It was a galley style kitchen with cream colored cabinetry, sandstone granite countertops and white bead boards along the lower halves of the walls. It gave the space a light and airy feeling to it which was another added benefit. Whoever did the remodel took out a portion of the wall near the stove to create a pocket door and allow for an opening to the attached dining room. I had yet to decide on a table set, but I planned on keeping it modest as the room itself wasn't overly large.
As I unpacked, I mentally went down the list of things I found that I still lacked and made mental note of them. Groceries were of course at the top of the list, and I hope to cook my first meal for my friends as a thank you, but it would wait until Eggsy returned home from his mission.
"There you are." I hadn't heard the footsteps coming down the hallway, and the sound of Eggsy's voice startled me enough to nearly drop the stack of linens in my hands.
"Geez you're light on your feet." I laughed.
"Sorry." He watched as I put away the dish cloths and finished tidying up. The pitcher filled with flowers caught his attention, "Are these okay?"
I stopped what I was doing, watching as he toyed with a eucalyptus leaf, and I smiled brightly. Flowers of any kind were perfect in my book. "They're beautiful. Thank you again, and I'm sorry I can't put them on full display yet. It seems a vase wasn't on my list."
"Ah, it's alright. I think they look pretty good there, don't you think?" I knew he was joking, and I also knew he was trying to get a rise out of me.
I smirked, not letting his little quip get to me. "No. First chance I get they're going into a proper vase." I turned then, clearing a space on the countertop, and lifting myself up. I wanted him to come closer, but I knew that he wouldn't, not when he was on business and with Ector and Jocelyn in the next room.
"Are you leaving soon?" I asked.
He moved to stand in front of me, placing one hand on my hip and the other on the countertop. "Harry's probably pissing himself waiting on me."
His boyish grin made me giggle. "You better get a move on then." I happened to glance away from his gaze and noticed his tie was off centered and loosened, I found it slightly odd but didn't think much of it. "Tsk. Tsk. What would Harry say if he'd seen you dressed so?" I made a point of not only repositioning the tie but tightening it slightly more than what was necessary.
"Hm, alright then," Eggsy groaned as he batted my hand away and I smiled in triumph. "You're hilarious. Really."
"I like to think so." I watched as he readjusted the necktie to his liking, being mindful to properly center it this time. As he did, I found myself paying close attention to the details of his facial features, his hair, the Kingsman issued glasses and the craftsmanship of his suit desperately memorizing it all. I knew Ector would be giving me a debriefing of the mission soon, but I still worried.
"One week, right?" I asked.
He stopped his fiddling of the necktie and watched me, searching my eyes, and finding the unease I felt. "Yeah, but I'll call you whenever I can." I nodded my understanding, but still tried to make light of the moment.
"I'll hold you to it. Otherwise, you'll owe me another bouquet and dinner." With everything that's been going on we hadn't been on a proper date in over a month.
My comment must have brought something out of him because the next thing I knew I was being gracefully lifted off of the counter. Once my feet were planted firmly on the ground, he gently pressed my body against the cabinet and placed his hands on the countertop behind me. I stared back, the same bemused smile across my lips. He was mere inches from me, testing to see if I would crack and make the first move, but he would be sorely mistaken.
"You best be off, Galahad. You wouldn't want to keep Arthur waiting." I whispered.
Eggsy smirked but didn't budge a bit. "You're a cheeky one, aren't ya?"
And with that I raised onto my toes and placed a small kiss against his cheek before swiftly sliding my feet outwards and ducking below his reach. I had spent many hours training in Taekwondo and Thai boxing the past few months, as well as a few ballet lessons to work on my grace and agility while fighting, so any chance I had to practice I took it. Even with my movements Eggsy was able to turn in time to cup his hand into mine and twirl my body back into his.
I let out a breath as my hands found his chest, stopping my momentum, and I felt arms lock themselves around my waist. I smiled at my capture, slightly giddy with how my toying with him came to an end. Eggsy's eyes gleamed with delight as he leaned forward, brushing his lips so gently against mine I questioned whether he had kissed me or not. He lingered there, causing me to whimper in protest until he closed the distance between us once more, his kisses were so soft and warm against my lips that it caused the hairs on the back of my neck to stand on end. My hands slid upwards, still mindful of his suit, until they connected around his neck, effectively pulling myself closer to eliminate any space between us.
qJust as I was beginning to enjoy myself, he pulled away so suddenly I nearly cried out, my lips felt tingly, and my face flushed. I steadied my footing and looked up at him in confusion only to find him leaning against the opposite wall, one foot crossed in front of the other and a smug smirk playing at his lips.
"Ass." I cursed. I realized his game and instantly wanted to wipe that look off his handsome face.
Eggsy laughed, turning to walk backwards down the hallway. "I'll call you, babe." His laughter grew when I stuck my tongue out like a schoolgirl.
I watched as he opened the front door to leave, but he turned in time to send me a smoldering look and his signature wink, both of which melted my scowl into a partial smile.
Jocelyn and Ector were busying themselves with clean up in the den when I entered, and I noticed that the oversized wall clock was now hanging. Huh, Jocelyn was right, it did make a nice focal point.
"You guys don't have to do all of this, really." I rubbed the back of my neck in embarrassment. "I've got this. Y'all have done enough."
Neither one seemed to have heard me, or if they did, they ignored my protests as they continued the clean up of empty boxes, bubble wrap and packing paper. I was happy to see the progress coming along so quickly, aside from arranging the furniture and laying down the area rug the room was nearly finished.
"Honestly," Jocelyn stopped to stare at me, "I've got this. Y'all head on home, or wherever it is you go," Come to think of it, I wasn't even sure where they lived. "I'm fine here."
"Are you sure?" She asked.
I nodded, offering a reassuring smile whilst moving the remainder of the debris in their path. "Absolutely. Y'all have done so much for me, and I couldn't possibly ask for more."
The two shared a look, I could only assume to question who would make the first move to leave. Even without the rules of a gentleman, Ector would never be the first to rush out on someone, but neither would Jocelyn.
With a huff, I dropped the handful of packing paper I had gathered and stomped towards the door. "If I have to quote the Kevin McCallister gangster movie, I will." Another shared look, but this time pure confusion. "Go. Go home and enjoy the rest of your evening. I'll be fine."
Jocelyn made the first move, finishing her clean up before grabbing her coat and handbag from the couch and approaching me. "Americans could learn a thing or two about how to treat their guest." Her comment was in jest, and I knew that. One thing I had grown to love about Jocelyn was our ability to poke fun at one another without causing offense. It made for great comic relief.
"You should see how we greet solicitors." I chuckled.
She smiled wide as she reached out, wrapping me into her embrace. Jocelyn had quickly become my best friend here, taking me under her wing as I navigated through new experiences in London and my new role within Kingsman. Without her guidance I don't think I would have been able to do all of this, nor would I have wanted to.
"Thank you so much, Josie." I whispered to her, knowing full well she despised the nickname.
"Anytime, Claire-Bear." She whispered back.
Before I could even think of a witty comeback, she pulled away to leave. I cut my eyes as she finger waved good-bye.
Ector laughed next me. When he got there, I had no idea. "You two enjoy yourselves far too much."
Didn't I know it.
I turned, my smile faltering slightly at the case file in his hands. The Statesman crest was printed on the cover.
"What's that?" I asked, eyeing the file.
"A little light reading for you. Harry and Eggsy's past mission details pertaining to Poppy Adams and the Golden Circle." Ector held the file out for me to take.
"What, no holographic imagery or air touch display? Not even a flash drive?"
"Renaissance level for this I'm afraid." Meaning all traces of this intel had been wiped clean and I was about to take possession of the only viable documentation of its existence.
I nodded, accepting the file and securely tucking it under my arm. I stared at the streetlamps that had just begun to light, dusk was quickly approaching and soon the bustle of the city would begin to die down. "Am I correct in assuming this has something to do with their current mission?"
Of course, I knew he wouldn't discuss the matter now, especially in public and without the security of headquarters, but I hoped that I would have some semblance of reassurance. There was a reason both Eggsy and Ector were keeping mission details from me, and I feared that I didn't have the clearance to find out exactly what. Not currently at least.
"I'll contact you in regard to debriefing soon, Lancelot." Oh, great. It was serious business when the codenames came into play.
"Yes, sir." I stepped aside, allowing him to pass and begin his trek home, or headquarters. Wherever the hell that man slept and shit.
I watched as he disappeared around the next street corner, then glanced at the people still walking the streets before closing the door. Once the locks were secured, I stared down at the case file, analyzing the number of documents and photographs that peaked past the binding.
"This is gonna call for a glass of Moscato." I mumbled to myself. I gingerly unraveled the binding and opened to a photograph of a bleach blonde with the title 'TARGET: Clara Von Gluckfberg', judging by her looks and age bracket I could only assume who's target.
And what the fuck kind of name was 'Gluckfberg'?
I sighed, slamming the file closed and storming into the kitchen, "Fuck it. Better make it Malbec."
Thank God I had the forethought to put out the bar, if that's what you wanted to call it. It was more or less a cabinet bar that I'd pushed into the far corner for the time being, but it proved useful now. Once I poured myself a glass, a very tall glass I might add, I padded barefoot back to the den with the case file and my bottle of Trapiche Medalla in hand and prepared myself for a very long night.
As I settled into the sofa, a knitted throw blanket draped over my lap and Radio Company playing softly from my playlist, I took another sip of wine and began my trek down the Golden Circle rabbit hole.
A/N: We all love a little Eggsy suit and tie cameo, right? Also, prior to writing this chapter I never knew Clara's last name and I am happy to say that I did not make that up.
I've had someone ask in the past who I based Claire's look after and I have to say that she is a combination of actresses AnnaLynne McCord (specifically her 90210 days) and the ever so lovely, Blake Lively. I always had an obsession with AnnaLynne's curls and Blake's features.