Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations all characters find themselves in. Thanks so much for reading, I hope to hear from you!
A Party At Kingsman
Harry entered the meeting room to see Daisy at the front of the room with Eggsy, literally jumping up and down in excitement in front of her brother as she informed him that Mr. Addy-son was gonna go ta America with Unca Harry and shoot anyone who tried ta hurt em. Including the tangerine man. Understandably that proclamation made Eggsy's lips twitch even before he informed her and the room at large that loads of people would thank im if he did. Maybe even name a day after Addison or somethin.
Opening his mouth to make a statement about the impropriety of discussing murder and assassination attempts in front of a small child, and how the bloody hell was he the voice of reason when it came to not shooting people, Harry found himself distracted by the sight of the table set for them.
Eggsy had placed a simple blue tablecloth over the front section of the table they'd be using, the space already properly set for the occasion with plates, glasses, and silverware. There was a pot of tea at the ready, Harry noted, as well as a large pitcher filled with pink lemonade that he couldn't wait to taste. The food offerings consisted of a rather magnificent looking strawberry shortcake, an assortment of biscuits, and scones with all the proper accompaniment laid out around it.
Walking further into the room Harry looked it all over again before walking up to congratulate Eggsy.
"Eggsy, this looks lovely."
The beaming smile Eggsy gave him in return had Harry wanting to hug him for being so sweet and lovely. And then order him not to smile like that where others could see it. Particularly some of the ones behind him. Which unfortunately reminded him...
"Everyone, this is Eggsy Unwin and his sister and my ward Daisy. You two, allow me to introduce you to my colleagues you have yet to meet." Forcing himself to move a little to the side to give the men in question a clear path to the two in question, Harry began with Kay since he trusted the man to be too well mannered to hit on Eggsy in front of Daisy and him. "This is William King."
"Nice ta meetcha ya." Eggsy stated with a smile, Daisy waving a little.
"Thank you for inviting me."
Instead of moving away like Harry expected him to Kay moved closer and crouched down, pulling something from each of his front trouser pockets. What was he up to?
Kay, who was Earth Gifted, opened his hands to show two small bundles of burlap to Eggsy and Daisy who gave him confused looks as Kay closed his hands into fists, tilting both hands up so that the thumbs were pointing upward. Seconds past with nothing happening, and then green shoots came into view, growing bigger and thicker like a small version of Jack's Beanstalk from the fairy tale. Leaves sprang out as Daisy and Eggsy both moved closer with fascination, buds appearing at the top of each stem before exploding open to reveal the blooms inside.
The one on the left showed itself to be a crocus, while the other was a white daisy.
Tilting his fisted hands to the side and then opening them again the Kingsman agent showed the flowers growing out of the burlap bags, Daisy clapping excitedly before slapping her hands over her mouth in shock when Kay held the daisy flower out to her.
"A flower for a flower." William said kindly, holding it out until Daisy, after a nod of encouragement from Eggsy, inched forward and took the gift with a shy smile and whispered word of thanks.
When William offered the crocus to Eggsy the boy took it with a wide grin. "That was seriously sick. Thanks. Do we just plant them like regular flowers...or are they magic?"
"They'll be fine in the sacks for about a day, max. Just plant and water them like regular flowers."
"Gotcha."
"Look, look!" Daisy was jumping like a rabbit again as she hurried over to show her flower to Harry and Merlin, who both bent down to admire the present while silently thinking that Kay was far more suave than they'd ever given him credit for.
"Showoff." Percival announced with a smirk in Kay's direction, the older man simply raising an eyebrow in response. "But I can do better."
Kay rolled his eyes and stated that it wasn't a competition, his tone that of an older brother exasperated and embarrassed by his younger sibling.
Keeping with that theme Percival quickly made a rude gesture in Kay's direction before he turned his attention to the glasses set out on the table for the lemonade. There was ice already in them and after some maneuvering Percival slid a couple ice cubes from one of the cups into his palm.
Looking very pleased with himself Percival came back over and crouching down in front of Daisy the cocksure agent placed his free hand over top of the one with ice, cupping his hands together and hiding what he was doing from her view. Not that Harry couldn't guess exactly what the man was doing since the man specialized in ice magic.
So it was no surprise when Percival removed his top hand to reveal an ice rose in full bloom. Completely copying Iceman from that old X-Men movie.
Roxy rolled her eyes at him. "Now who's the showoff."
Shrieking in excitement over this latest 'magic trick' Daisy didn't hesitate to take her present this time, allowing Percival to slide it onto her palm without a hint of shyness. The girl about gave herself whiplash as she gave her presents, one in each hand, beaming smiles.
"Iceman, huh?" The amusement in Eggsy's eyes suggested he'd gotten the Marvel reference too. "Here, Flower, give me the ice one. I'll put it in the cooler for ya. Or it'll melt, ya know."
"Would you like one as well?" Percival asked with a rakish grin.
"Thanks. I'm good."
Looking sad Daisy gave her ice rose one last loving look before handing it over to Eggsy.
Harry quickly introduced them to Roxy's cousin, Percival telling them to call him Percival since he wasn't fond of his actual given name. Eggsy shook Percival's hand when offered, while Daisy gave him another wave and smile.
That done Eggsy moved off to put the rose in the cooler he'd stashed off to the side while Harry introduced his ward to the two handlers who'd agreed to come to the party, Mr. Wyatt and Mr. Strong. Neither man possessed strong magic but thankfully Daisy didn't seem to expect more gifts and just clutched her daisy to her chest while smiling and waving with her free hand in response to each introduction.
Once Eggsy was back to be introduced to the two Harry did so and then suggested they all take their seats so that they could enjoy the treats before them.
Of course the whole taking their seats took longer than it strictly should have since the usual seating arrangements had to be altered thanks to the presence of non-Kingsman agents. But soon they had everyone seated and attention could be turned to filling one's plate and their glasses with his or her preferred beverage.
Harry was surprised when Addison declined Eggsy's offer for him to cut his own cake since the man did love knives, but he was happy to do it instead. Especially since he'd noticed the older man eyeing the balloons situated in the middle of the table contemplatively.
The balloons were the room's only real 'party' decoration though since Eggsy had managed to convince Daisy that the cake couldn't fit fifty-seven candles and therefore it was better to have none at all. You had to have the exact number right or not have any. It was unlucky otherwise.
The toddler had believed them and expressed sadness on Addison's behalf, which was why she'd added a cake with lots of candles on it to her card so that he could pretend to blow on them if he wanted.
She really was too adorable for words.
Harry waited until everyone had a piece of cake and a drink before he raised his glass. "A toast to Addison. Happy Birthday."
Everyone echoed the sentiment and raised their glasses. Except for Addison. Big surprise. Though he didn't set anything on fire or even glare, so Harry considered that a win.
And certainly no one was making unhappy or angry faces as they took their first bites of the strawberry shortcake Eggsy had prepared. Quite the opposite in fact.
Percival. "Bloody hell this is the best thing I've ever tasted!"
Kay. "This is amazing."
Thomas. "Oh my. And you made this yourself, Eggsy? It's wonderful."
Merlin. "Wait till you try his biscuits. This is brilliant, Lad."
Roxy. "Wow, Eggsy. It's amazing."
Addison's favorite handler echoed the sentiment that it was the best cake he'd ever eaten while Mr. Strong continued to shovel more cake into his face while nodding enthusiastically. Much like Daisy was, Harry noted after a glance in her direction.
And Addison, being Addison, waited to catch Eggsy's gaze amongst all the other praise and inclined his head in thanks, Eggsy smiling in return.
Watching everyone dig in and reach out to heap their plates up with the other treats now that they knew what to expect, Harry smiled and settled in to join them.
)
It was for the best that Eggsy's food kept all their mouths busy for the majority of the 'party' seeing as most of them had zero experience being in the company of a toddler. Not to mention keeping their conversations appropriate for young ears. That really threw a spanner in the works. They couldn't talk business because technically Eggsy and Daisy weren't Kingsman and therefore weren't allowed to be privy to certain things. And while normally they would have talked about previous missions, by turn bragging about their own exploits while ribbing the others, none of them could really come up with a mission they could white wash enough to be appropriate for three year old ears. So in the beginning they had to settle for talking about the oddest customers they'd ever had in the tailor shop in between bites.
This proved an excellent choice in topic since even Daisy could appreciate the horror of someone coming in requesting that they make him a suit as fine as Willy Wonka's.
It also serendipitously led to Roxy stating that she still couldn't believe that someone had thought it was a good idea to give Lady Mary from 'Downton Abbey' a Willy Wonka haircut. Not that she didn't deserve a terrible cut of course. Miss. Morton was not a Mary fan it seemed.
The blank looks she got from the others though, as well as the observation from Kay that Michelle Dockery could never be mistaken for Gene Wilder, led to their lone female agent explaining that she'd been referring to the hair style worn by Johnny Depp when he'd played Wonka in the reboot.
And that was all it took.
Roald Dahl's classic novel 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' was something all British children were exposed to at some point in their lives. And they ALL had opinions on various aspects of the book.
Like how stupid was Wonka to think that having the children sign the disclaimer contracts would save him from being sued? They were all minors. If the parents had signed off on it that would be one thing, but without their agreement...yeah, Charlie could kiss that chocolate factory goodbye.
And what was up with Grandpa Joe? He spends his days lying around in bed, not contributing to the household or even helping with chores around the house, but he can go to the factory? Where was that energy and willingness when it came to insuring the family didn't starve to death or lose their house? Where was the man priorities, honestly?
The question of what was up with Johnny Depp's appearance in the remake was explained as the combined weirdness of Depp and Burton.
Eggsy and Roxy were also both pinned under unforgiving gazes at one point when they were asked to confirm that they were aware that the original 1970s film version was better than the remake in every possible way.
The two youngest adults wisely agreed with their elders without protest.
At only three Daisy was given a pass on expressing her opinions, especially since she had no idea what they were talking about. So Harry and Eggsy took turns explaining the concept of the book to her while the others helped themselves to second or third helpings. Once they were done explaining Daisy asked if the book could be read to her, Harry promising that they would.
Debating the book and movies over food, talking over each other without formality or rank getting in the way...well it was rather like a family reunion or holiday gettogether, Harry mused to himself. Or at the very least a gathering of friends rather than coworkers who had had no idea what to talk to when the party had started. It was certainly the most fun Harry had had within these walls in quite some time, and even Addison lasted ten more minutes than planned before announcing that he had to be going.
While the others wisely said their goodbyes rather than try to get him to stay Harry got to his feet and went over to grab the giftbag he'd left at the side with the usual Kingsman birthday gift safely stowed away in it.
Sensing Daisy's presence nearby Harry glancing over to see Daisy in the corner where she or Eggsy had propped up the large card she'd made for the birthday boy. Ah, right.
He would have offered to hold her hand but she needed both of hers to carry the card which was half her size. And knowing how protective she was of it Harry didn't offer to carry it for her, instead placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder as they walked down the length of the table to meet a fidgeting Addison at the door while everyone watched from their seats.
"Happy returns."
Addison snatched the bag Harry held out to him with a dark scowl.
"I mades this for you." Daisy stated from partially behind Harry's leg, the little girl shuffling her feet and staring down at them shyly before peeking up at Addison cautiously. "Happy Birthday, Mr. Addy-son."
The throat clearing sound Addison made was no doubt a result of him forcing down all the nasty things he wanted to say, especially with the looks he was getting from everyone as he grumbled out a thank you and took the card from her when she passed it over.
He'd already made it clear that Addison was to show proper appreciate for the drawings Daisy had done and Harry gave the man full credit for saying that the drawing inside looked like Tally, even if Addison did say it quietly enough that there was a good chance the others couldn't hear him.
But Daisy heard him and beamed with pleasure.
"Thanks for lookin after my Unca Harry for me." She added and then spinning around ran back up the length of the table towards Eggsy.
"Thank you for that." Harry stated quietly, for Addison's ears only.
"It was nothing." A foreboding smirk crossed the older man's lips. "And her drawing did rather resemble Tally. After the dog was done with him."
"Really? I just ate."
Addison's grin said it all before he disappeared through the doorway, card tucked under one arm.
)
The rest of their Sunday went well, Daisy happily riding her sugar high and the fact that Addison had promised to take care of Harry for her while he was in the United States. The fact that Addison wasn't a fan of the Statesmen, or them of him...well Harry wasn't about to rain on her parade by telling her that inviting Addison along rather upped the chance of blood being shed. Not decreased it. But they were all adults, Tequila withstanding, so Harry allowed himself to hope that it wouldn't go too badly.
Or at least not worse than the troubles he already expected.
Nothing special happened Monday except for the fact that rather than go home at the end of the workday Eggsy and Daisy came to pick him up from Kingsman and then together the three of them went out for fish and chips at a nearby pub Harry was fond of. Daisy was a little withdrawn for the rest of the night but went to bed without too much of a fuss after Harry read her a couple chapters of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' as promised. Eggsy had offered to keep reading it to her while Harry was away but Daisy insisted that only Uncle Harry would do in this case. She would wait until he got back.
Tuesday morning...well Daisy dragged her feet from the time Eggsy got her out of bed all the way to daycare. She knew that Harry was heading to Kingsman's private airfield as soon as they dropped her off, and so was putting it off to the best of her ability.
Harry ended up carrying her from the car to her classroom, Daisy's little arms wrapped tight around his neck and her face pressed against his throat.
Once they were inside, well Harry had no choice but to squat down and gently pull her away to set her down on her feet in front of him. Her face was so resigned and sad.
"I'll be back before you know it. You be a good girl for Eggsy, and I'll talk to you tonight."
A sad little nod. And a big hug goodbye.
