Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original ideas and characters. Thank for reading!
Bedtime, Stress Time
Leaning back in his study chair for a moment, his fingers folded together and resting in his lap, Harry thought to himself that he couldn't recall the last time he'd had as pleasant a weekend as the one he'd just had with his new little family. And that was even counting their encounter with the rabid yoga mothers and his need to save Eggsy from their clutches. The rest of Saturday had gone smoothly after all, and today had been a very enjoyable and relaxing day from start to finish.
He'd slept in delightfully late that morning, Eggsy and Daisy pre warned not to wake him. Sundays were very much for sleeping after all, and he'd correctly thought they were all comfortable enough with each other now that they didn't need him around before he had to be. And what a lovely sleep it had been, Harry recalled with a pleased sigh. It had been particularly enjoyable because of the steady rain beating down outside his window while he'd slept his morning away. And it had still been raining after he'd finally risen to the smells of chicken stew. And as per usual when it came to anything made by Eggsy, Harry had thoroughly enjoyed the excellent stew and fresh bread with butter. Definitely the right way to start a Sunday in Harry's opinion.
After lunch Daisy had gone done for her nap as per usual and Eggsy had asked if he wanted to play cards or something with him till she woke up. He'd been game, though rather at a loss as to where a deck of cards might be in his house. It had been rather a long time since he'd had a use for them. During their hunt through one of his cabinets the two of them had come across his collection of board games from childhood which had proved interested. As it turned out Eggsy had never played Family Feud, Game of Life, or Monopoly of all things. That had been the big shock. He himself hadn't played it in quite a while, but only because his former playmates and relatives had gotten rather sick of him winning all the time and refused to play it with him.
Eggsy, being Eggsy, had challenged him to a match on the spot. It was time, the cocky brat had told him, that someone beat him. And everyone knew about beginner's luck.
Of course by the time they'd gotten everything set up and gone over the rules it was almost time for Daisy to get up from her nap. And Monopoly was not a game for small children even though Eggsy had assured him that Daisy was old enough to know better than to put the pieces in her mouth. Still young enough to get in the way though, which they both acknowledged with a grimace when they noted the time.
But as it turned out Eggsy and Daisy had gone out while he was sleeping to a stationary shop, and so when Daisy had made her way downstairs to join them Eggsy easily got her situated on the other end of the table from them with her crayons, markers, and some new stickers. The two of them were apparently going to make a large card for Addison to celebrate his birthday, and Daisy was in charge of decorating it. Ergo she turned her full attention to making a picture that would be taped inside the large birthday card rather than get in their way.
Just thinking about Addison's reaction when he caught sight of the card in question had Harry squirming a little in glee.
So Daisy had worked on her picture while they'd played Monopoly. Then when she was finally satisfied with her drawing, which apparently was supposed to be of Addison playing at the park with his fox Tally, Daisy had moved on to one of her coloring books. And when she'd gotten tired of that she and Mr. Fox had sat down on the floor to watch a children's show on the laptop Eggsy brought down for her watch.
As for their game…well tenacious proved to be the word to best describe Eggsy when it came to board games. Really the game should have been over within the hour given that it was Eggsy's first time playing. The boy's properties and money repeatedly declined down to the bare minimum, and yet somehow he managed to hang on every time. Eggsy didn't play it safe, that was for sure, and was downright reckless in his pursuit to survive which somehow had paid off enough that they were still playing when their stomachs had started to rumble.
Poor Eggsy had been horrified that they'd so completely lost track of the time and he'd forgotten about dinner. The fact that he'd been just as absorbed hadn't soothed the boy's ruffled feathers much. Though at least Daisy had been in one piece, which was the main thing.
They'd ended up ordering Chinese take away, and Harry had found himself teaching both Eggsy and Daisy how to use chopsticks when it arrived. Or trying to. Eggsy had seemed to be getting the hang on it by the time the meal was over. Daisy just tried to stab things with hers. He'd given up quickly with her, and they'd given her the usual cutlery. He and Eggsy had agreed that that was for the best for the time being.
After dinner it was bath and story time for Daisy, followed by her usual tuck in with Mr. Fox. She'd nodded off partway through her second story and then it was just Eggsy and himself, alone for the rest of the night. By mutual agreement they decided to table the Monopoly playing until the next evening and instead they'd settled in to watch 'RED', a movie Eggsy really liked and thought he'd enjoy. It had turned out to be an action movie that had proved to be ridiculous at times, but Harry could certainly appreciate its message, which was that it was very unwise to judge someone based on their age.
Now he was going to take a quick look at a file he needed to discuss with Merlin in the morning, after which he'd-
A knock at his door had Harry calling out for Eggsy to enter even as he wondered why the boy was knocking on his study door. Eggsy had said he intended to watch a little telly and then turn in as well.
The door opened and Eggsy came in with a wry look on his face and one of the baby monitors in his left hand. "Sorry ta bug ya, Harry. I was just wonderin if ya'd be all right keeping on ear on Daisy while I go take care of somethin? I'll be back as quick as I can. Swear down."
"Of course. Though may I ask where you're going?" It was none of his business technically, but he…preferred to know just in case.
"Place called the Black Prince. It's in me old neighborhood. Ryan, a mate of mine, well he went there and got right pissed. His girl gave im his walking papers, he said. And he let some bird get all handsy with im while he was drinkin away his paycheck, and she picked his fucking pocket. Walked off with his clip and all his cash. He dinna bring his wallet with im, and the bartender won't let im leave without gettin paid."
"Ah. I see."
"Yeah." Eggsy grimaced. "His other mates ain't got the green, so he called me."
"Well then you'd better be going, I suppose. I'll take the monitor in case she wakes up and needs something."
"Thanks, Harry." Walking over to stand beside the desk Eggsy handed it over. "And…well I'll be a little while since I can't take the car. It would end up stripped for parts before I got back."
Harry wanted to question the wisdom of going to this pub if the neighborhood was that bad, but Eggsy had grown up in that neighborhood and would know how to handle himself. And it wasn't like he could go with him because Daisy's wellbeing and care had to come first.
He did consider for a moment giving Eggsy a gun or a knife, just in case, before deciding that that probably wasn't a good idea either.
"You'll be careful."
"Promise. And thanks again for this. I really will be back soon as I pay and get Ryan home in one piece."
"Call me if you need help." It would be an abuse of his position, but Harry wouldn't think twice about sending in a Kingsman agent in to retrieve Eggsy for him. Anyone who hurt his boy deserved to be thoroughly thrashed.
Eggsy's eyebrows rose at the order, but he gave Harry a salute followed by a cheeky wink. Then he was spinning around on his heels and waving goodbye with his back turned as he headed out of the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
)
Refreshing his memory of the file's contents took longer than it should have by virtue of the fact that Harry couldn't quite make himself give it his total focus. He couldn't help it. Eggsy was either on his way or in a part of London where there were a great many people who would think nothing of harming the boy without reason, much less for the wallet in his pocket or the boy's physical appeal. And yes they would know him there, Eggsy had spent over two decades in their midst, but Harry was too familiar with human nature to think that Eggsy's former neighbors wouldn't be jealous of the boy's new good fortune. And either try to take advantage of him, or just take.
He should have given the boy a gun.
And why hadn't he had the sense to glance at the time before Eggsy left? He didn't even know when to start getting worried because even if he knew the start time Harry honestly had no idea how long it would take to get to the estates and back using public transportation. Not to mention he had no idea where this Ryan person lived or in what condition the prat would be when Eggsy reached him.
His cellphone sat on his desk in front of him too, mocking him with its presence. Because yes he could try calling or texting Eggsy to check on him, but what if he called at a bad time? Distracted or called attention to Eggsy when that was the last thing Eggsy needed?
"It's going to be hellish when Daisy's old enough to leave this house on her own."
Harry could feel grey hairs sprouting just thinking about it.
Fighting the urge to drop his head into his hands or onto his desk, Harry resolutely turned his attention back to his computer. Must focus on the file. And maybe do some other work he'd meant to save until tomorrow to keep him occupied until Eggsy came home. He wouldn't be able to sleep until he saw for himself that Eggsy had returned to him unscathed.
He better come back fine.
Decades of training stood him in good enough stead that Harry had finished reading the file and had moved on to looking over a report sent by the accounting department when the faintest of sounds flipped another training switch. One that had Harry going very still and focusing totally on his hearing.
The rustling of sheets and sleepy mumbling. Daisy.
Eyes focused on the monitor Harry listened but didn't hear anything to suggest that she was having a nightmare or had accidentally wet the bed again. But she sounded like she was getting out of said bed. Shit.
Looking up towards the ceiling Harry gave it a 'why me' look before resolutely turning his attention back to his computer screen. Daisy was likely just going to visit the loo and then would go straight back to bed. If he just suddenly appeared, especially while she was half asleep, he'd most likely frighten her, Harry reasoned. He didn't want that. If something was wrong…well perhaps he should open his study door enough that she'd know he was inside if she needed him. That would work.
Pushing back his chair Harry came around his desk and walked over to his door, popping his head out to look down the length of the hallway just in case. She wasn't in sight, which he told himself was a good thing, so he left the door open for her and then resolutely returned to his seat.
And found himself doing nothing but twiddling his thumbs because he wasn't going to be able to concentrate on anything else until he knew she was safely back in bed. And how long did it take a child to go pee anyway? Shouldn't she already be back in her room? Did she need help? Being toilet trained was required at the daycare they'd put her in, and Eggsy had assured him before that she was more than capable of handling all that herself. Perhaps she'd slipped and hit her head? The majority of household accidents happened in the loo, didn't they? He was sure he'd heard or read that somewhere.
Why wasn't Eggsy home yet?!
Running a hand through his hair in agitation, someone of his age did not need stress like this, Harry was having an internal debate about whether or not he should go seek Daisy out when the sound of small, running feet provided him with both a welcome distraction and an end to his inner debate. She was coming to him, thank the Fates.
Wait. She was coming to him. Fuck.
What was he going to do?
No answer had come by the time Daisy was rushing into his office, her curls in wild disarray and Mr. Fox clutched tight against her chest.
"Where's Eggsy?!"
Bugger.
"Eggsy had to go out to do something. Is there something I can do? Do you…need a drink? Another story?"
Her bottom lip quivered, making Harry's stomach drop.
"Eggsy gone?"
"He'll be back soon, Daisy. I promise."
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Those were tears forming in her eyes, her cheeks looking pale to him.
Rising up from his chair Harry was about to try to comfort her, maybe pat her head or something, when she suddenly whirled around and went running out of his study like a pink, pajama wearing bat out of hell.
That could not be good.
Cursing a blue streak Harry all but launched himself out from behind his desk and ran the rest of the way to his door. Blasting out of his doorway Harry turned his head to see Daisy running back in the direction of her room. To hide? To wait for Eggsy? Should he go after her or would that upset her further? He was a great deal bigger than her after all, and still somewhat of a stranger to her. She would have been taught-she was stopping in front of Eggsy's room.
"Dammit. I should have asked Eggsy for more detailed instructions about protocols for this sort of thing."
Going with gut instinct Harry used his long legs to their full advantage, picking up speed when Daisy stopped looking at the door and was now letting herself in. Why was she going in there? Surely that had been the first place she'd looked when trying to find him earlier. She had to know that he wasn't there so was she going in there to wait for him? Was it alright for her to do that? Surely Eggsy didn't leave anything inappropriate for children's eyes out where Daisy could stumble across it accidentally. Right?
Arriving at Eggsy's doorway Harry looked in to see that Daisy was on the opposite side of the bed and was holding something in her hand. Something that gleamed in reaction to the bedside light she'd turned on.
Obviously sensing his presence Daisy looked in his direction and then held up what she was holding so that he could see it. Oh. The medal Eggsy had been given upon his father's passing.
"Eggsy's coming back."
It took Harry a moment to make the correlation, but then he did. The medal was unquestionably Eggsy's most prized possession. The boy wore it often under his shirts. Ergo Daisy took comfort in it being there because she knew that if Eggsy wasn't coming back he would have taken it with him.
Relieved that she wasn't crying, and looked a little calmer, Harry silently prayed for wisdom while he carefully walked over to the bed, keeping it between them least he spook her.
"Do you know Eggsy's good friend Ryan, Daisy?"
A nod.
"Well he got himself into a bit of trouble, and Eggsy has just gone to help him get home. He should be back very soon."
"Oh."
Casting around for something to say, and making note of the fact that she was still clutching Mr. Fox under one arm, Harry was hit with a moment of inspiration. Thank you, Fates.
"Daisy, would you like to go downstairs and heat Mr. Fox up in the microwave? I bet you'd both feel much better with him toasty warm and the two of you back in bed. I'll stay with you until Eggsy gets home if you like."
She took a moment to mull that over.
"Juice?"
"You may have some juice when we're down there, yes."
Another telling pause.
"Ogay."
Daisy didn't look particularly happy about it, there was trepidation still on her little face, but she came around the bed under her own steam. And when she reached his side she held out a hand to him, which he was happy to take as they walked out the door and over to reach the stairs.
But when they got there she tugged her hand free of his, which Harry tried not to be hurt by.
"I go down." She told him very seriously, and then sitting down started making her way down the stairs on her bottom. Ah.
Adorable.
