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The Head of Kingsman
Harry cursed his decision to work from the Kingsman estate with every breath he took. He was also looking at his watch with alarming regularity and dismal results, which only agitated him further because he was aware enough to know that looking at the damn thing wasn't going to make time go faster. Or more importantly make the tube go any faster and get him to the shop that much quicker. In fact it might actually be slowing him down somehow.
Or at least that's how it felt to Harry, the powerlessness he was feeling not helping his anxiety one little bit. Eggsy could be in serious danger and there was nothing he could do about it. Well other than what he'd already done, which was to call Lancelot and ask her what time she was scheduled to meet Eggsy for lunch. As it turned out they'd planned for a late one, fuck, but his agent had been willing to head out early and act as Eggsy's bodyguard until Harry got there.
So she would make sure that Eggsy was safe and he was worrying for-Harry's phone signaled an incoming call from Eggsy, the familiar ringtone stopping his musing in their tracks. Immediately accepting the call Harry put his lover on speaker as he demanded to know if he was all right.
"I'm fine, Harry." Came Eggsy's amused voice, the sound of his voice a comforting stroke down Harry's back. "Just calling to tell ya that ya don't need ta come all the way home again. We think we've got things figured out here."
"Is Lan-Miss. Morton there yet?" Oh fuck. Another thought occurred. "Was my mother having me on about the situation entirely?" If that was the case there would be Hell to pay. This was no laughing matter and he'd enlist all of Kingsman and their allies if need be to make his mother pay for this if she was just having a lark.
"I don't know what she told ya exactly, but probably not? I didn't see it or nothin, but I heard how her elfie ex went flyin into a car and such. The coppers are all about still, evaluating things and tryin ta figure out ow they're gonna explain all this. And good fucking luck ta em, cause they're gonna fucking need it. The whole thing fucked up four cars pretty good, specially the one the elf hit. And his brother, Lantis, he was pretty damn livid about the whole thing til I came around and we worked out with Rox what happened."
"And what exactly did happen? The barrier should not have done what my mother claimed it did."
"Well...ya know how my magic does shite without me knowin it? Specially when it comes ta ya? That's wot happened-we think. Lantis says that our bond-yours and mine-is so strong that I reinforced your barrier without knowing I did it. He said that cause the barrier was tied to you AND the house, and ya both belong ta me, my magic did the rest." An awkward cough. "That's what he said, anyway."
"Now that actually does make sense." And made Harry happy too, to a ridiculous degree. Any reminder of how tightly bonded they were was welcome, but the fact that this would protect Eggsy and Daisy that much more was the cherry on top.
"If ya say so. The more important thing is that Lantis and his family ain't gonna be after us for it now. Rox says that they're the ones in the wrong, and that they have ta make this up to us now. I'm getting the vibe they'll owe us big, too. Lantis went white as a sheet when he figured wot was wot a few minutes ago."
The answer to his follow up question of why the elf would react that way came to mind before Harry could ask it. Of course. Eggsy had elvish blood. He was technically Fae, or at least considered kin to. That meant that Shion had committed a serious social faux paus, attempting to take down Eggsy's barrier without permission. Even worse, he'd done so at the behest of a human. Screwing with the humans was actively encouraged amongst the Fae, but you didn't disrespect your own kind-at least not out in the open without any attempt to cover your tracks-without a damn good reason. And when you were caught...you paid.
And oh fuck...
"Eggsy, this is very important. Do NOT make any deals or accept anything from this Lantis. They-"
"Rox's has already given me this lecture, Harry."
"Oh."
"Plus I have ta sing Dais the 'Changeling Child' song at least four times a flippin week. I KNOW not ta make deals with the Fae. Or at least not without someone seriously brill around ta find all the loopholes the pointy earred bastards love so much."
It took a moment, but as Eggsy had stated that particular song was one that Daisy expected to hear often. Very often. Almost as often as the song about the selkie.
"That's the song about the woman who bargained with the Fae for a baby, only to find out that the child would never grow up beyond an infant."
"A babe was all she asked for, their promises they had kept."
The sound of Eggsy singing the words over the phone should not sound nearly as...stimulating as they did.
"And I ain't done tellin ya how brill the barrier is now. Or at least you'll love it."
Harry couldn't help but think that the teasing amusement he could hear in Eggsy's voice did not bode well for him. "Oh?"
"Yeah. So it seems, Mr. Hart, that you don't want the elf getting anywhere near the house...or me. And the barrier is prepared ta move its arse and warp itself ta cover me. Gave Lantis some hard shocks in fact, when he got too close ta me for its liking."
He...was just fine with that.
"So the elf is giving you your space then."
"He don't have much choice."
"Good."
Eggsy laughed through the speaker. "Right. So I'm guessing that you're still comin and I should tell Lantis that you'll be here soon, if he wants to talk to you."
"Yes. I'll be there as soon as possible." And thank all the powers that be, he'd arrived and now just had to take the lift up to the shop and take the car home. A fact he happily relayed to Eggsy.
"I'll see ya then. Drive safe."
"I will."
Saying their goodbyes Harry hung up, feeling slighter better about the situation.
)
Harry feeling better about everything lasted about fifteen minutes or so. And it wasn't the traffic that greeted him once he was on the road and making his way home that had fury igniting and burning through Harry like an out-of-control forest fire. That he'd expected and mentally accounted for given the hour and the route he would be taking to get home as quickly as possible. No, it was a random thought that led to several other thoughts and realizations that had Harry so furious it was for the best that he was alone in the vehicle and had no one to unleash it upon. As it was Harry sped a touch more than was wise, but it helped release a little steam.
Helped enough, at least, that by the time he approached the scene of the barrier accident his fury was still burning bright, but coldly. Ice cold.
Pulling into a side street since there was no way he was getting any closer, much less finding a place to park given the spectacle of it all, Harry found a safe enough spot shortly thereafter. Locking up and leaving the car there Harry made an absent mental note to have the company car retrieved and then focused solely on getting to Eggsy and not killing anyone.
One in particular.
Thankfully for all involved Harry spotted Eggsy relatively quickly, the younger man looking unharmed and utterly at ease after a quick look over. With the advantage of height Harry could see that Eggsy was currently talking to one of the shop owners and, more importantly, was now wearing a shirt. A fact Harry appreciated rather a lot since before his big realization he'd been wondering how he'd go about convincing Eggsy to cover up without coming off like the possessive boyfriend that he was.
God. He still couldn't believe he was a boyfriend at his age.
But the main point was Eggsy was safe with Miss. Morton standing nearby, on her guard. She could defend Eggsy if needed.
Having confirmed that the two most important people involved in this mess were fine and likely to stay that way Harry went into predator mode, his eyes going cold and hard as they started to scan for the other two people he would need to deal with.
The elf was wearing a glamour to hide what he was but Harry saw right through it. And yes, part of that was his Kingsman glasses, which allowed him to see through that sort of thing, but even without them Harry would have known what he was looking at. Members of the Fae might grudgingly alter their appearance so that they could walk among humans without the 'silly creatures' being the wiser, but they were almost always too vain not to look as much like their true selves as possible. Meaning that while passing for human they were still unnaturally good looking, always extremely well dressed, and prone to looking at actual mortals like amused gods who thought humans were made for their entertainment.
This particular Fae wasn't one Harry recognized, but he was known to Kingsman apparently as Harry's glasses began to relay the pertinent information. He was looking at a member of House Fray. He'd have to alert Merlin that Lantis was one of the man's aliases, they didn't have that one listed. As for the elf's true name...that they'd likely never know. A lot of the man's family probably didn't know what his true name was. And excellent, the man was from one of the less prestigious, connected branches of House Fray. That meant he'd be desperate to keep this quiet, especially once he knew who he was dealing with. That would make all this much easier.
Committing the information to memory Harry nodded decisively and then turned his head to look for the final problem to be dealt with. His mother.
Who was currently talking to someone Harry made as law enforcement even from a distance. The bad suit, shoes, and demeanor gave him away as much as Lantis's human disguise. Harry had no problem leaving them to their discussion.
Dismissing them Harry started to make his way through the crowds that had yet to be dispersed or lose interest in the scene, Harry's planned destination Eggsy's side so that he could let him and Lancelot know that he was on the scene before he went to talk to the elf.
That was the plan, but just when Harry was close enough to call over to Eggsy without being rude or having to yell he felt it. Eyes on him that had Harry slowly turning his head to meet the searching gaze coming at him from across the street. And in the stunning amber eyes Harry's own eyes locked with Harry saw fear. The sort of fear that told him quite clearly that while the name Harry Hart probably hadn't meant a thing to Lantis...he recognized Harry to see him. Recognized him either as the new head of Kingsman, or just Galahad. And now knew enough to know that this was so, so much worse than the elf had thought.
Harry could all but see Lantis consider vanishing right then and there. He already knew the elf had teleportation capabilities thanks to his mother and the database, and House Fray was well known for their magical artifacts. And being Fae Lantis would have plenty of other tricks up his fashionable sleeve.
But the elf stayed put as he was apparently old enough, wise enough, to know that a smart being didn't run from a Kingsman. Fae or not. Kingsman had an agreement with the Fae Queens of Winter and Summer and House Fray causing friction between their two 'organizations' over something like this...no. Better to try and keep it between them. So Lantis stayed put and started walking towards Harry, earning points of respect in the process.
A familiar presence, then Eggsy's hand was slipping into his, Harry also catching sight of Lancelot moving into position at their backs.
"Ya know im?"
"No. I don't believe we've met. But apparently he knows who I am, or enough to know that putting me at odds with his House, potentially his Court, would not end well for him and his feckless brother."
"Your mum's still here."
"I'll deal with her momentarily. Please let my hand go and place your hand on my back instead. I might need both hands."
Eggsy's indrawn breath signaled his surprise, but Eggsy did as asked, placing his hand on the small of Harry's back instead. A small comfort, but one Harry appreciated nonetheless.
He might have been out of the field and drowning in paperwork for what felt like an eternity at this point, but that didn't mean that Harry had forgotten who and what he was. In his world he was someone to be feared, respected, and above all else not to be fucked with. He might wear the title of Arthur now, but at heart he remained Galahad, and now Harry slipped into that suit as effortlessly as if he'd never taken it off.
He'd gone head to head with the worst the Magical World had to offer and come out on top. He was, without ego or false pride, a legend in the Magical World. And right now...he was fucking furious.
Harry didn't give the Fae time to give some flowery, empty apology. As soon as Lantis was in range-after cautiously making sure the barrier would let him-Harry made his lines very, very clear.
"Your brother came onto my territory, has most likely done so repeatedly, to attack and dismantle the shields around my territory for no reason the Courts would approve of. Today he failed, but had he not, he would have not only left my home vulnerable, but my CHOSEN and our CHILD. His trespasses have now reached an unforgivable level, and you will return home to your House and discuss with your Head how your family is going to go about compensating MY family for your brother's dishonorable, unprovoked attacks upon mine. And make it very clear to your Head that if I feel your apologies and compensation are insufficient I will make it my mission in life to put all of Kingsman's strength and support behind House Fray's enemies and cause your House every discomfort and loss of status and wealth I can. Believe it. Fear it. I may not be Fae...but this is MY world, and I am no human prey. You're now my prey. Understand?"
A tellingly long pause. "Not many of this world would speak to a Fae that way."
"Do you need a list of how many Fae no longer draw breath because they underestimated me?"
"My brother-"
"No excuses. You have forty-eight human world hours to decide your course of action and then you will meet with me and my people. I suggest you use those hours wisely. Your time-" Harry lifted his arm to check the time. "-starts now."
Holding the elf's gaze without blinking Harry had no problem staring down the creature who was trying, and failing, to stand his ground. Meanwhile he wanted, absolutely, for Lantis to understand that Harry was not bluffing here. He would have this Shion's head on a pike, with Lantis' as collateral damage, if it came to that. They would have potentially caused his family harm. Unforgiveable.
So he would be unforgiving. And show no mercy.
Looking away first Lantis was obviously furiously embarrassed by that fact, but he pulled himself together long enough to incline his head in acknowledgement.
"Galahad."
Ah. "I've been upgraded to Arthur, actually. Best keep that in mind."
It was gratifying, the look that crossed Lantis's face as he muttered curse in elvish Harry didn't catch. Then in a snap Lantis disappeared from sight. Good.
"Fuck, Harry."
Turning to his side with the intention of better facing Eggsy so that they might have a proper conversation Harry found himself turning more so that he could face off against the woman who'd just said his name unnecessarily loud as she came towards him.
Lifting his arm Harry held up one quelling finger. "I'm not speaking to you. You asked that elf to break down my barrier. The barrier put in place that protects Eggsy and Daisy from harm when I'm not at home to protect them. You've been taking down my barriers, putting my life at risk, for bloody decades at this point and I tolerated it. That's on me. But I'm done. When I wish to open the lines of communication between us, I'll inform you. Until then-go away, Mother."
And so saying Harry gave her his back and held his hand out to Eggsy. "Home?"
"Home." Eggsy echoed, taking the hand without hesitation.
"And we'll reschedule lunch." Roxanne stated dryly, joining them in ignoring the stunned speechless woman to her right. "And I'll report what's happened to Kay. I assume you'll want him in on the negotiations, Sir."
"Yes, thank you, Lancelot."
"I'll see you guys later then."
Trusting her to get it done Harry started forward with Eggsy, the two of them going through the barrier no problem.
