Thank you for your time reading this fic. Thank you for the kudos and the comments. Thank you so so soooo much. Last week was a busy week and I honestly forgot about uploading because I was trying to write the next chapter for "A Span of Sixty Years". I hope you enjoy this chapter.
It was an official mission or as official as it could be at this point.
It was almost surreal, but Eggsy understood. Chester King was still so clear in his memories. It was back then that he had realized that in a spy organization trust was fickle, loyalty was pinnacle, and information was currency. He was still trying to adapt to it all, but he's thankful of his prior experiences. He had seen things more fucked up than what he's currently in now.
He could only imagine what sort of fuck up Susan was experiencing.
Did he believe that she's who she is? Yes. What she said the first day had him thinking. She was a once impossibility, but who's to say what's she's claiming wasn't true? Definitely not him. He hardly had anything he could compare to her experience. Did he trust her? No. Not yet. He hoped that he would be able to though. She seemed to be a very interesting person.
He looked up to the rearview mirror to see the pair sitting on the backseat. He met Captain America's blue eyes on it. He held it for a few moments before Steve broke the gaze and set his cheek against the top of Susan's head.
The woman was napping snuggled against Steve with his arm wrapped around her. Every few minutes or so, he would do what they just did, meeting gazes through the rearview mirror for a few moments. There would always be a small smile from him before he returned to his vigil of holding her. She spent most of the trip napping, something Eggsy could understand. Now that his head was clearer than the first day, he was sure that she had been running in pure adrenaline the past days. This was a little break that she was letting herself have. He could relate to that as well. He could still remember how his body crashed once he was sure that Harry was fine and alive.
No. Not crash. If anything, Susan was gathering strength for what she was going to face, and she desperately needed that. She got plenty planned for the week she have with Captain America. From what he heard, Steve stayed with Susan in her guest room until 3AM talking and planning. Eggsy lowered his expectations about punctuality for today and was surprised to see them both ready by the appointed time. Which was a good thing. The emergency meeting that Harry called for would've been delayed too. Their Arthur was clearly for the idea of keeping her around and he would damn well see her off before anything else. Of course, for the monitoring as well. This was a mission after all.
The quiet continued to reign. Eggsy could handle it. Sometimes, especially back when they still lived with Dean and he couldn't leave the house, he would drown in the quiet waiting for the tension to break. These recent days though, he learned to relish it. The quiet took on new meanings. His mum and sister safe and happy. No more drunk shouting or held back cries.
The only way he could describe this quiet was exhausted.
"Captain America, sir?" He ventured another look and saw Steve meet his gaze. "May I ask a question, sir?"
Steve sat back, shifting carefully to not wake Susan, then nodded. Eggsy waited for a few moments. There was no crackle on the other line of the comms, meaning Merlin, who was getting a live feed, got no complaints. Steve cleared his throat and stretched his neck a bit. "First things first, son, you can call me Steve. Next, what is it?"
"I mean no offense, sir—Steve." It's weird to address a superhero this way, especially with how he acted the night before, proposing to Susan and all that. "But, how are you so sure that she is… Susan Pevensie?"
Still no crackle, but he could almost see the frown on Merlin's face.
There was a chuckle. Eggsy looked at the rearview mirror again. Steve tried to clear his face but failed and chuckled again. It was weird, seeing a superhero laugh so casually. Was there something they should've known that they missed?
"Have you seen her eyebrows?"
Eggsy blinked. "Her… Eyebrows?"
"Uhuh." Steve gave the sleeping woman an amused smile. "She had a distinct way of using her eyebrows for expressions. She also had a very specific way of making people feel like idiots just by raising them."
Ah. Eggsy tried not to wince. He remembered how she stared him down, while she was looking up at him. Crystal.
"You've seen it." A smirk this time. "I thought that it'll all be for me at this point."
"Is it really her eyebrows?"
"Yes. Especially paired to those eyes of hers." Steve picked up a lock of her hair away from her face. "You will realize, that she has a completely different air. Even more than I have as a displaced in time person. She's very unique."
Susan stirred, pulling herself from Steve and blinking away sleep. She looked adorable. "Are we there yet?"
"Just a few minutes." He couldn't help but add. "Milady."
"Thank you, Eggsy. I'm really sorry we took you away."
"Are you kidding? I'm in the presence of Captain America. I'll volunteer cleaning his shoes just for the experience!"
"I can clean my shoes just fine, son."
Eggsy caught sight of Susan's subtle raise of brow. He could sort of understand what Steve meant. Her eyebrow game was strong. Steve gave an innocent smile. The exhausted silence turned a bit comfortable after that exchange.
"So, Susan," Eggsy restarted the conversation after a few minutes. "Any chance you'll reconsider my proposal?"
"You are a dear Eggsy, and quite a smart one at that. But I do need something more to gain in such partnership."
"Aw come on. It's fucking brilliant! You have the resources and I know damn people who would pay for such juicy stories."
Steve pouted for a moment. If this wasn't a mission, Eggsy was 'considering' using the feed he's getting in this. Considering, with air quotes.
"I don't know, dear. I'm waiting for a better offer."
"Well then." He turned to Steve then. "What's the price for hearing Susan's embarrassing stories?"
"Eggsy!"
"Milady, if one can't bargain then one must blackmail." He tipped an imaginary hat to her. "Captain?"
"Tempting."
"Steve! Don't you dare!"
"Oh, I'm daring ma'am. Safely. I think some conditions should be agreed to before any transaction happens." Was there even doubt that Steve was enjoying this turn of events? No. "I think we could be very good business partners."
"I'm not zipping my lips completely to whatever Susan's gonna give."
"I'm not asking you to. I'm asking for a percentage of what you're going to get out of it."
"Interesting. Do carry on."
"You traitor!" Susan's gasp was loud and her disbelief clear. She pulled farther away from Steve, indignant, then poked his side hard enough to make him jump.
"Oh. I'm just working on countermeasures, Su. You taught me that." He caught her hand when she tried to poke him again. "Now Eggsy, here's a bonus."
Yes, it was possible for Susan to look horrified and for Steve to be absolutely wicked.
"Susan is very, and I mean very, ticklish." And to demonstrate the point, he anchored Susan by trapping a wrist down the seat, then attacked her sides with nimble fingers.
In the following minutes, Eggsy had in his backseat Captain America tickling Susan Pevensie. Her shrieks and squeals unrestrained. Her laughter hysterical. Her attempts to escape futile. By the end of it, she was leaning against the other door the farthest she could from Steve. Her cheeks red and her chest heaving. A glare leveled to the both of them. Unfortunately, it lost its fire when you see her upturned lips.
Eggsy gave her his most angelic smile.
He would've given anything for fate to shut its trap, but no. Her smile faltered when she saw the gates. It waited patiently as they caught their breath and the atmosphere turned somber immediately. The way her smile crumbled and the pain in her eyes were genuine. It reminded him of how his mom would try her best to hold Dean back only to fail. Of when his mom would whisper her apologies to him when she checked on him during the night and he was there.
At that very moment, he wanted to go ask Merlin if he really have to go with them. He understood that this was a mission. He understood that they were all supposed to monitor her. Did he really need to accompany them and intrude a private moment?
Surely what they've seen was already enough? Merlin wouldn't be that heartless. If he was, then Eggsy would definitely ask Harry to override it.
"Aren't you coming with us Eggsy?"
His head snapped to her and was welcomed by a small smile. She had her legs out of the car, her hand wrapped in Steve's own as he held the door open. Her eyes soft and an eyebrow slightly raised. He took a deep breath and gulped the tightness in his throat.
Merlin be damned, he'd fight him on this if he had to.
"Y-you okay with that?" He was ready to tell her that it would be alright. He would definitely stay and go through a beating or whatever punishment Merlin and Harry had for him. He was ready, but the air killed all the words when she smiled wider and offered a hand. The air whooshed out of his lungs as he sagged to the seat. "Well fuck, I guess I'm meeting Peggy Carter."
She chuckled and shook her head in amusement."I guess you are."
Eggsy, daring to and never regretting, reached out, took her offered hand to squeeze. "Susan, I couldn't imagine or even understand the fuckery you are going through, but I'll be here if you need me."
She took a shuddering breath and the small smile grew a bit. It was still small, but for now it was enough. She squeezed his hand back too. "Thank you, Eggsy."
A few moments after, Eggsy was walking a few feet behind them. He watched as these two misplaced beings walked arm in arm, backs straight, shoulders sloped as if bearing weight, but with steps sure.
A PERSONAL VOW FROM EGGSY UNWIN:
1. To make this Kingsman a home for Susan Pevensie the way it became a home to him.
A message popped up in his glasses. Roxy's best summary of the meeting came to view.
Everyone's weirded out. Harry's making arrangements. You'll know when you get back. So far, good.
Eggsy sighed in relief. Yes. There was the matter of trust and loyalty, but to not give someone a chance was ungentlemanly. The old Eggsy was someone a gentleman wouldn't easily trust, but he was given a chance and look where he was now. So, he didn't trust Susan completely, but he would take it upon himself to try to understand.
Thanks. Gossip later. He sent back.
"Wait." A realization slammed to the forefront of Susan's mind that had her reeling. What composure she had built in the hours before, cracked to let out her unadulterated horror. She could feel Steve steady her with a discreet pull. The nurse that was leading them paused his trek to look back at them. The last footstep before the silence was Eggsy's who was behind. "She lost both of us."
"...Yes." How she envied Steve for having the time to face this demon. She regretted being so adamant with her foundation building that she would suffer through this pain, willingly.
"Without proper goodbyes."
"Susan, if—"
"No."
The last step was still echoing in her head.
"Just." She gripped his arm to ground her to reality. "It wasn't like this before."
"Before?"
WHAT'S DEFINITELY NOT IN STEVE ROGER'S MIND:
1. Sixty years was worlds different to 1300.
"After you disappeared, we vowed to keep tabs on each other. The longest I've disappeared was three months." She loosened her grip when she was sure she wouldn't tip over. "Before. At least."
"You'll be fine, Su."
That three month disappearance was her dropping out during the last mission of her Kingsman recruitment training. She left it all with a final report on said mission and a simple note sent directly to the Guinevere of that time. Her world stopped during those three months.
"She'll scold me for disappearing, probably going to glare me into submission. Demand why I didn't even give a peep."
"That's true. You are one fine work of a secret keeper." He took the first step. She followed.
"Thank you."
She didn't know what to expect when she entered Peggy's room. She made sure that she kept all avenues open as she usually did with her. So the moment she stepped in, she was floored to feel the shock of relief. Things had stayed indeed, changed they might be.
The steel she found in Peggy the first time they met was still there. It had mellowed and gentled, but still definitely there. Frail bodied she might be now, but there's still the surety in her every move. A known calm. A fight too. With that smile though, she's done saving the world.
Peggy's living her every day to the fullest at this point.
Susan marveled at how her grace evolved through the decades.
She also tried her best to keep her heart down and away from her throat. The seconds that ticked away after the nurse's footsteps faded only had her said heart claw at her lungs. The blood pounded in her ears and warped sounds. The longer she stood there, the more she wanted to run. She forgot what was around her until she felt Steve's hand on her back.
"Peggy?" Steve nudged her closer, his tone amiable. He told her it was better to start this way.
The woman that was part of their odd group paused in her reading. She slowly closed the book and turned to them. A few moments after, she smiled. "And who is this lovely couple?"
A beat. She wanted to laugh, but she didn't have the breath supply required.
"Well, not a couple. Unless that other young lad is a lover."
Her heart sank to her stomach, claws embedded all the way down.
Another beat.
"If things we're different and we are still a team, I would've match made you too. Unfortunately, I hold on to debt owned. Like a dance or afternoon tea." The smirk that appeared was sharp enough to snap the tension in the room. With it crashed the dam of emotions it held. "You didn't say goodbye."
"Peg—"
"Su." Arms spread open. "Welcome home."
Whatever plans Susan got had disintegrated. In this small room with these two people, this was home. This was a home she knew, incomplete it might be at this point. She built this. Now it's torn apart by time and as before, she was powerless against it. She had worked so hard to keep them, in every way she could. This was all that's left. The desperation of past losses she denied, fueled her actions only for it to come to this. So, Susan threw herself into Peggy's open arms. She was careful not to hurt her, but was astounded when Peggy returned it with such force. Again, she cried apologies to someone's chest with her heart begging that this be the last. She had left too many without proper goodbyes.
"I should start remembering all those MIA and KIA'd agents whose bodies were never found." Peggy wiped her tears and grinned. Susan mustered a wet chuckle, not only for the familiar sarcasm, but also because the light in those eyes were the same. "Who knows? Maybe they'll show up like you two. Then again, you two were special."
"Peggy. Peggy. I—" The last time Susan saw Peggy was a month ago, for her. They had tea and talked about the world. She could feel the decades in her bones. "I missed you my oath sister."
"And I, you." Susan felt Peggy's fingers moving through her hair. "Come on. Don't hide that snotty face of yours. I want to see you. "
She shook her head and burrowed closer to her chest. She wanted to tell her what happened. Or at least tell her the lie that she concocted and led Steve into acting out. She couldn't.
"I've long forgiven you."
That had her pulling back. She sniffled. "Truly?"
"Yes. Truly. Now before I forget, I will tell you something I've told Steve. I do not care if you think of feel unworthy of it. I will order you if need be."
"Peggy. I just dis—"
"And at this point, I don't really care of that story. You're here, aren't you?"
She strangled a sob. Peggy reached out and wiped the tears on her cheeks.
"Do not burden yourself of the past. Do not think in any way that what you did halted us from living a full life or what's closest to it. You are Susan Pevensie." Peggy gasped for breath and cleared her throat with a cough. She cupped Susan's face with both hands. "You have a closet of skeletons the size of Europe with more than one story for each. You have a burden that's ever been on your shoulders. You are in a land that you didn't ask for. I don't know why or how, but you are Susan Pevensie."
"I carry onward. Whatever happens, I carry on." Susan continued. She was Susan Pevensie and it meant so much more. "Always forward, never back."
"You are Susan Pevensie and you will live a full life or die trying." Peggy smoothened the crease on Susan's forehead and then once more wiped off the tears from her cheeks. "Live not for us. Not for those you left behind. You've already done so much, Su. Live for yourself."
She wanted to argue. She wanted to tell her that she didn't deserve it. Blood and lives on her hands. Lies and unsaid goodbyes on her lips. Reputations and futures she had trodden down on. Yet, she was greedy and she wanted that happiness.
"I have things that I regret but it is miniscule compared to the happiness that I've found in this life I've lived. I wish you the same, Su. If not, better." Peggy then looked at Steve. "You will take care of her."
"Only when she couldn't take care of herself." Steve smirked at them. That got a laugh out of Peggy and a failed attempt of a grin from Susan. "You know that she could destroy my life if I crossed a line, Peg."
Fondness bled from Peggy as she shook her head, settling back to her pillows and patting Susan's cheek. "You're such a beautiful child to be visiting an old woman like me and to be in tears. Are you volunteers?"
Susan thought her heart was powdered enough with heartbreak. She's proven wrong. She looked at Steve. "I—I think we are."
"Oh. Wonderful! Come. Lady, sit on the bed with me. You, handsome, sit on the chair." Once they were where Peggy wanted them, she took both their hands in each of her own. "Now tell me, are you a couple? Is that handsome young man, the best man to your wedding?"
Susan's laugh was a touch too hysterical. She looked at Steve with wide eyes. "I told you she'll find out."
"Well love, I am too smitten to act anything but."
In the next hour, she made up a story about her love with Steve that Peggy would be proud of.
"Galahad, you can turn off the feed and cut the comms now."
"Fucking finally. Thank you."
Harry watched as the comms link cut off and the feed disappear from the screen. The sudden silence was almost deafening and the images last shown by the feed were burned in his mind. He knew that Eggsy was itching to give them a private moment. He knew that the boy was ready to endure anything just for it. Something he admired of the boy. He hoped that he would keep his heart on the right place even after all the bloodbath and lies. He turned to check on Merlin only to see him unmoving. His elbows set on the desk and his hands clasped against his mouth. The lines of tension on his shoulders and spine were the familiar norm. Harry turned his back from the screen and faced the opposite way.
The images still burned.
Steve Rogers hugging a bone tired Susan Pevensie, swaying her gently like a young child that woke up in a nightmare. His dark coat highlighted her pale hands gripping at it as she hugged him back. Her composure broken and whatever smile she had before was unraveled like her cover stories.
Could he do the same? Smile and weave a lie in her situation? To see everything dead, dying and changed while he stayed the same?
He felt a bit out of depth being shoved into a situation like this. He only hoped that he was doing right by following his instincts. Because, he had taken for granted so many things about the Kingsman and now had his eyes opened.
Arthurs. Merlins. Guineveres.
"Any word from the Kingsguard?" He tried to fill the silence with something.
The K branch led by Arthurs was divided into two: The Kingsman agents (K1) and the Kingsguard (K2). They had been working together ever since the creation of the organization. However, as time went by, the Kingsman's open knowledge of the existence of the Kingsguard grew smaller. It came to the point that only the Trinity knew of said department and acted as middlemen. The arrangement was now like light and shadow. Harry, having crossed the disparity, now got some answers only to get more questions.
"Reports just came in after the meeting. They've checked on the information that Percival's gathering about the drugs. About 62.35% of the leads are good. K2 was able to narrow the K1 level leads to a 27%."
"Any casualties?"
"No deaths. Some injuries. I had some ghouls relocate them with new identities. I asked them to stop when the 27% revealed too much political entanglement. Letting them poke on those would prove more trouble."
"Trigger happy governments. How fun. How is Percival?"
"He's making copies of the formulas, both coded, and memorized. He's sending them as soon as he could, while trying to sabotage the production. I'm coordinating with Cavallo on making a cure, or delaying the effects. Success rate is low, but we've some of Cavallo's contacts for help." Merlin took a deep breath and pulled up some files to the screens. "Percival thinks that his mission would be over soon. He gave us a TTC of two weeks."
"And what do you think?"
The coordinated departments under the Q and M branches found a connection between different isolated incidents of candy drug deaths among children. The incidents happened in increasing frequency for the last six months and was overshadowed by the Valentine debacle. They've sent in Percival to a production lab in hopes of creating a countermeasure. So far, it was going smoothly. Another reason they sent in Percival was to start an internal rift in the drug syndicate, as well as an announcement of an opposition.
"Mordred is ready for the drug war that could happen. There wouldn't be much of a fight though. His influence to the Caster syndicate would definitely direct the charge, but the syndicate wouldn't last." There's a small amused shrug. "I'm surprised the two of us actually agreed on dissolving Caster."
"He's gotten bored of Caster. His reports are becoming shorter." Harry noticed the patterns from the reports that was forwarded to him and what he knew of the agent. "He's probably itching to get into this new one and dismantle it from the very foundations. Sadly, he can't."
As good as Mordred was with being a double or even a triple agent, the timing was pinnacle in this matter.
"Ye'll be handling that." Merlin's gaze pulled from Eggsy's cut feed, a smirk on.
"You really don't like him." Harry mirrored the smirk.
"I don't have to like someone to work with them." The smirk dropped.
Harry grinned. "I'm in luck. I heard his niece's birthday is coming up. I doubt he would miss one at this point."
Merlin just hummed.
"Take as much information as possible. Sabotage everything that could be sabotaged. Confine the suspects while doing so. Assassinate those that are too dangerous. Use everything taken to improve and prevent future incidents. Leave no trace." Harry recited the general pattern of their operations. "Put Guinevere on the mission list."
"What?"
"Do you plan on easing up the surveillance on her?"
"No."
"Then put her on the mission list. I know you're trying to either break or bait her, but she is Susan Pevensie. You want to test her abilities just to see if they matched the records? This is the way to do it."
"Ye caught on easily."
"Among all of us, you're the only one who knows her to a degree. I can see why you're baiting her."
Before the sparkle could enter Merlin's gaze, Harry continued, "Add me to the mission list as well."
That dimmed the hazel eyes immediately.
"Arthurs are given fewer field missions because their main mission is tae lead th' organization."
"Do you plan on easing up the surveillance on her?"
"For Pete's sake, dae ye trust her already?"
"Wizard, she is my Queen."
Merlin's eyes flashed with rage. One could see the retorts he was formulating just by knowing where and what to look for. Said rage was too close to the surface and knowing Merlin, he was one of the best with keeping his emotions in check. The offense was clear.
It was also clear to Harry, that this matter was pushing Merlin to his limit. If such words could spur him to this extent. It's been three days.
Three. Days.
Merlin removed his glasses and kneaded his temples. That meant that it was something personal at this point.
FACTS THAT THE NEW ARTHUR NOW KNOW:
1. Merlins are the hidden blades.
2. Guineveres are the jeweled shields.
3. The jeweled shield is the one hiding the blade.
Merlin sagged back to his chair and looked up at the ceiling. The dark circles around his eyes were stark. His gaze was unseeing, but haunted.
Realization dawned.
"Whatever your nightmares showed, I'm not planning on going anywhere in the near future, especially with Death." He wasn't sure if his words would make any difference or impact, but he would try. "I also don't plan to lose anyone without Death breaking my fingers."
He should've known this before even starting the conversation. He should've known that even after months since V-day, Merlin's still reeling from his failure. Chester King's betrayal. Merlin's still grieving. He had forgotten amid conflicting emotions of concern for the populace and the relief that he was still alive. He should've remembered and addressed the feelings of those around him sooner.
He needed to check on Eggsy and Roxy about this.
"I cannae fail, Harry. One wrong move and I might lose Eggsy or Roxy or someone else or all of you this time. If she is on our side, 'en congratulations. However, I will ne'er leave things tae chance."
He reached out and squeezed Merlin's shoulder. "I'm alive, Merlin. You're alive too. I don't want you to live as if we're both already rotting in the grave."
He hoped that Merlin, at the very least, would let himself breathe.
"You're not alone in this anymore."