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 you enjoyed it!

Merry Christmas, Readers! Have a great holiday!

Entering The Fray

Harry wished he could say his peers surprised him with their behavior at the party...but of course they didn't. Human nature was human nature after all. And mankind was too often depressingly predictable. Case in point Harry knew very well that the vast majority of his peers would have been made aware of Eggsy and Daisy and their respective roles in his life by this point-his mother and aunt would have seen to that-so there should have been little to no need for them to ask what their relation was to him. Particularly when it came to Eggsy. And not surprisingly a lot of their focus was on Eggsy as soon as they approached the outskirts of the party and started to draw the notice of those closest to them.

Thank goodness he'd picked Daisy up or she might have been trampled within seconds.

As it was Harry saw them coming and switched Daisy to his other side so that he could place his free hand on the small of Eggsy's back in case the boy needed the support. Both literally and figuratively.

No one was run over though, and the first ten minutes was spent making introductions and Eggsy very politely shaking hands and smiling despite the speculative and knowing looks. The women in the crowds also paid some attention to Daisy, but she wisely hid from them against his neck lest her cheeks become available for pinching. Harry also supposed that he should just be grateful that there was no speculation that she could biologically be his or some such nonsense to his face.

No, the majority of them were focused solely on trying to worm out of them just how close he and Eggsy were. And all right, the hand he had placed on Eggsy's back probably didn't help matters, but fuck them. He wasn't moving it unless it was to briefly shake someone's hand.

Regardless Harry tolerated their not at all subtle questioning until one of the old biddies he personally couldn't stand had the gall to compliment Eggsy on his effort to better himself and rid himself of that dreadful accent.

"And my compliments to your plastic surgeon, Mrs. Stricton. He continues to do marvelous work. Now if you will excuse us, there are a number of other people we have yet to greet."

Steering Eggsy off in another direction Harry was just about to suggest they grab something to drink when they were intercepted by some distant relatives of his.

"Harry, it's been far too long."

"It's lovely to see you again, Harry. I don't believe I know your companions?"

"Very nice to meet you, young man. I'm Lady Rosaline Winsley. And you are?"

Eggsy took the hand offered him by the lady in question and kissed the back of it with considerable charm. Of course he did. And since the woman in question was twenty years older than him at least Harry called himself an idiot for being a little irked by that.

He was ridiculous, Harry acknowledged while Eggsy introduced himself to the three of them. Though he was justified when it came to his father's cousin's granddaughter, who was eyeing Eggsy like she'd like to lick him up like a lolly.

"Eggsy. What an unusual name." Rosaline stated with a raised eyebrow. "And the young lady?"

Since Daisy was currently still hiding her face against his neck Harry did the honors. "This is Eggsy's younger sister, Daisy. My ward. It's a pleasure, as always, to see you, Lady Winsley."

"Likewise."

"I'm her granddaughter, Camille. So nice to meet you, Eggsy."

"Pleasure." Eggsy just shook her hand, which Harry thoroughly approved of.

"And I'm Elliot Trenton. Camille's stepfather. Pleasure to meet you, Eggsy."

While Eggsy shook the man's hand Harry gave Elliot a look that made it clear that trespassers would be shot on sight. Then when it was his turn Harry squeezed his former classmate's hand just a little harder than necessary to make sure he got his point across.

"Always good to see you, Trenton."

"Likewise."

Harry gave the man points for suddenly seeing someone he absolutely had to say hello to, his goodbye a very quick one before he hurried off. The man was getting wiser with age.

The slight snickering sound Eggsy made at his side made it clear that the younger man had noticed at least some of the byplay between them.

Camille either didn't notice or thought her gender would save her from Harry's wrath as she turned their attention back to her by complimenting Daisy on her adorable dress and asking Eggsy how old she was.

"She's three. And real shy."

"Harry, DARLING!"

Decades of training kept Harry from wincing as he looked in the direction of him summoner, his aunt arrowing towards him with a look on her face that promised he was about to be kissed and fussed over to an embarrassing degree given his age. But at least she wouldn't hit on Eggsy, so smoothly Harry excused them yet again and told Eggsy under his breath to brace himself.

His aunt had a brilliant plastic surgeon too, Harry mused as she bore down on them like a heat seeking missile. She shared him with his own mother. And both women had taken advantage of their hair going white to go blonde, his aunt currently sporting a champagne blonde bob cut that suited her even if the color was highly unrealistic at her age. And no amount of botox had ever been able to curb her face's expressiveness for long, the huge smile she aimed in their direction as lovely as her summer blue dress.

"Eggsy, Daisy! Look at your dress, Sweetheart!"

Oh, right.

Rather than cover his cheeks with lip prints Harry's aunt framed Eggsy face between her hands and bussed both his cheeks with enthusiasm before launching into a small tirade about how handsome he looked and how delighted she was to finally meet him in the flesh.

Unaware of the danger she was in Daisy peeked out to get a look at the woman assaulting her older brother, catching Celeste's attention in the process.

"Oh, Darling."

Pouncing with surprising speed for someone her age Aunt Celeste had ahold of Daisy's chin in a flash, giving the shocked toddler's cheeks smacking kisses before drawing back to tell her that she absolutely adored her dress, which was unquestionably the most unique and sweet outfit of any she'd seen thus far. Wherever had they bought it from?

Lips twitching in amusement, Harry gave his aunt the name of the shop in question.

"Never heard of it. Though their business will certainly become more well known once more people get a look at that dress. What I wouldn't have given for such a dress when I was that little." Sighing somewhat dramatically, Harry aunt looked a little wistful as she finally turned her attention to her nephew. "And how is the proud new father?"

"Uncle. And I'm bearing up fairly well with Eggsy's support."

Harry's aunt gave him a knowing little wink. "He certainly has shoulders broad enough to support you. And he can cook like a dream from what I hear, which is priceless in a man."

"I'm all right."

"I have yet to taste better." Harry countered. "And I've eaten at restaurants all over the world."

"You're biased."

"I'm right."

"Awww. Are you two always like this? It's so adorable." Aunt Celeste gushed as she beamed at them in delight. "And it's always a pleasure to see two people so in tune with each other. And so rare these days with divorce becoming so prevalent. In my day we were stuck with each other and had to work it out come hell or high water. Or have your partner killed, of course, but that was generally frowned upon. Though I'm sure Harry's told you all about his great, great-I think just two greats-aunt. She was accused of poisoning her second husband. And possibly the fourth."

"Ow many husbands did she have?"

It was five, Harry informed him. And it was quite likely she had in fact poisoned them.

"We don't know that for sure. Though she did have regrettable taste in men. It's a family trait, I'm sorry to say. One Harry's mother, my sister, suffers from, unfortunately. Harry's father was one of the good ones, and they were few and far between, let me tell you."

"If Dean's dad was anythin like im I believe it."

"Oh he was. I don't know what she was thinking. Well she did say that he-but that is not for children's ears. And more importantly said bad taste was not passed along to Harry. He's always had excellent taste, which is why he's never married. Good men are so hard to find these days, aren't they, Harry?"

"I haven't been looking."

"Hmmm. And it's often when we give up looking that we find exactly what we were looking for before."

Oh he could see where she was going with this.

"I'll have to take your word for that, Aunt Celeste. And not to dismiss you, but shouldn't you be manning some table somewhere?" Not that he was trying to get rid of her. Much.

"I'm taking a break. Though that reminds me, Dear. The lovely Miss. Roxanne Morton has yours and Eggsy's paddles for the picnic auction. Very unusual to have a lady buying one, but she explained that she had to buy Eggsy's since he was buying her basket as a favor to her." The raised eyebrow his aunt aimed in their directions made it clear Lancelot hadn't explained why Eggsy had been enlisted to aid her. And Aunt Celeste didn't approve.

"Her mu-mother is trying to set her up with a total wanker."

"Ah. Say no more. We do try our best, my dears, but, alas, even the best mothers get it wrong sometimes. Just look what happened that year I had you bid for Penelope's basket, Harry. She didn't speak to me for two weeks."

"As I recall she didn't speak to me for four months." Not that he'd exactly mourned that fact.

"She didn't, did she. And that was the last time she participated, wasn't it?"

"No...she did it one more time when she was engaged." When she was assured someone not related to her by blood would buy her basket.

"Right, right." Aunt Celeste sighed in remembrance. "Well it's very kind of you to have Miss. Morton's back, Eggsy."

"She's a good mate."

Harry's aunt smiled and then asked if she shouldn't tell people that Eggsy was taken then. She'd already had a few inquiries since he was family now.

The moment's pause before Eggsy answered felt like a million years had passed.

"Nah, tell em I'm taken, thanks."

When Harry let out the breath he hadn't been aware he'd been holding Eggsy looked over and grinned at him rather cheekily.

Harry's aunt's eyebrows about hit her hairline in reaction.

)

Earning the title of his favorite Kingsman agent for the foreseeable future, he might just put her in for a pay raise in fact, Lancelot came over to join them before Harry's aunt could attempt to quiz either one of them about just who had 'taken' Eggsy off the market. His agent was looking quite pretty in a greyish purple dress that complimented her coloring and figure, the skirt ending just above the knee. It was a more sedate look than a lot of the dresses being worn by her peers, but Harry thought her choice showed good taste and common sense. If they were suddenly under attack by someone Miss. Morton would be able to defend herself much easier than if she'd worn one of those bandage dresses. Or whatever they were called. Not important.

What was important was that on arrival Roxanne linked arms with Eggsy, said hello to Harry's aunt again, and then reassured them both that she had their auction paddles in her purse. And oh, had they taken Daisy to see the polo ponies yet?

"Ponies!"

Either Daisy wanted to see ponies really badly or Roxanne's presence meant there were enough people she trusted around her that Daisy was willing to risk not hiding from the overly affectionate stranger in their midst. Harry almost dropped her, she twisted around so fast to look eagerly in Miss. Morton's direction.

Which of course made everyone laugh. Including him.

"Well Harry knows the way to the stables, and I should get back to mingling, anyway. But I will catch up with all of you later. Especially you, my darling nephew. It's been far too long since we've caught up on each other's news."

Not liking the look in her eye one little bit, his self-preservation instincts were razor sharp, Harry settled for a smile and nod that promised nothing.

Because mentally he was already plotting how best to go about arranging to leave early.

The low sound she made in her throat suggested his aunt was onto him, but she didn't call him on it as she made her goodbyes before heading off.

Pulling out his handkerchief Harry offered it to Eggsy. "You'll want to rub your cheeks. She marked you."

"Sh-oot." Eggsy caught himself just in time, taking the handkerchief with a grimace.

"Here, hand that over and I'll get it for you. Then we can hide in the stables until it's time for the auction."

"Excellent plan." Harry agreed, watching his agent remove the red lipstick marks from Eggsy's cheeks for him. He could have done that, and was kicking himself for not thinking of it.

"Thank you, Sir. I'll get Daisy's cheeks in a minute."

"She gots me too?" Daisy's eyes went wide at the idea for some reason.

"Yup."

A little hand came up to touch her pink cheek. "Mummy used ta get me."

"Yeah, she used ta get us both, didn't she."

Daisy nodded solemnly.

"We'll have ta go and see her this comin week, won't we? We'll tell her all bout your dress and the ponies and such. She'll be real proud bout ya helpin the kids with your basket, she will. Just like me and Harry. Ya can draw her a picture and we'll get her some real pretty flowers too."

"Yeah? Okay." Daisy smiled now, cheering up at that thought.

Coming over Roxanne carefully rubbed at Daisy's cheek while neatly changing the topic to something less morbid and happier. I.e. she complimented Daisy on Mr. Fox's lovely bowtie. Very fashionable.

"He's my date."

"I see. And here I thought you were Eggsy's date."

"Nope. He's Unca Harry's."

Harry couldn't help but look in Eggsy's direction, noting that the younger man was looking everywhere but at him. With pink cheeks.

His were probably a little pink too.

But wisely Lancelot didn't call him on it, and once Daisy's cheeks were clean they all headed in the direction of the stables once Harry pointed them in the right direction.

"By the way, Rox, I'm done the books ya gave me. I would have brought them with me, but I forgot. Sorry."

"It's no problem. I reread them before I gave them to you in preparation of 'Time's Convert'. That's out on the eighteenth on September by the way."

"Oh I know. I bought the trilogy from a used bookstore near Harry's on Thursday, and I've ordered the sequel as well online. Though I don't know about it bein as good as the first three. I mean I liked Marcus well enough, and Phoebe seemed pretty aces...but I'll give it a shot. And Harry said he'd read the books too, when he's got the time, maybe."

The considering look she gave him had Harry fighting the urge to squirm a little.

"Then no spoiler discussions."

"Nope." Eggsy agreed. "Specially since I think he'll really like em based on his movie collection."

"Well if he does, we can have our episode parties at your place once the TV episodes start airing. And they better not mess it up or else..." The way she trailed off and the look on Miss. Morton's face made it clear that the producers would rue the day if the show failed to live up to the source material.

It had been a very, very long time since he'd gotten together with friends for the purpose of watching a TV episode or doing a movie marathon with them...but Harry found himself warmed by the idea. Even if Eggsy's food probably played a part in Miss. Morton's suggestion. Regardless he told her that he liked the idea very much. And would look forward to it even if he wasn't as big a fan as they were.

"Do you like Matthew Goode?"

"Does anyone not?"

"He's playing the male lead."

"And the bird from 'Warm Bodies' is in it as well. Have ya seen that one?"

"No, I haven't." And it sounded like the title for a porn movie.

"Ya'd like it. I'd tell ya bout it but it's got Z-O-M-B-I-E-S in it." Eggsy threw a significant look in Daisy's direction.

"Ah. I see. Yes. Though I've never been fond of them in movies or real life. Especially when it comes to the latter."

Eggsy's eyes about popped out of his head as he asked if he was serious.

Biting his lip to hide his amusement, Harry gave Eggsy's back a comforting rub before answering. "They aren't like in the movies, I assure you. Basically they're just falling to bits while bumping into everything in their surrounding area. It's the smell...well that's more deadly than the things themselves."

"Gross."

"Quite."

"What's gross?" Daisy wanted to know.

"Boys." Was Lancelot's quick response.

"Oh. Yeah."

Daisy's absolute agreement with that statement gave them all another reason to chuckle.

"And speaking of gross we're getting close to the stables so mind where you all step."

"Gross." Was Eggsy's opinion, his attention immediately going to the grounds around them.

"At least you're not wearing sandals."

Eggsy's gaze turned to study Lancelot's feet and the dainty sandals she was currently wearing. "I could probably carry ya if ya need me ta."

"Thanks, but if I wanted to be carried around like some emptyheaded princess I'd be one of those twits who doesn't have the sense to realize that outdoor parties aren't the place to wear heels. I'll let Daisy be the princess here."

"I's a princess?" Daisy asked Harry, looking very shocked at the idea.

"Your mine and Eggsy's princess, yes."

Daisy beamed.