"Did Roxy tire you out that much that you forgot about me? I'm hurt." Eggsy pouted as they waited for their orders. It was a bit later than he had planned, but Susan really looked tired when she opened her bedroom door. His excitement definitely plummeted to realistic levels that he pushed her back to her room and told her that he'll be back after another hour. The first half of the hour was spent wandering from the kitchen to the lab. Fifteen minutes later, Susan was already knocking on the lab's door and finding him. Now, they sat in the ice cream shop that was across the tailor shop. It was a quick trip which was an added plus against their late start. Susan would discreetly yawn every now and then, but was quiet all the same. "I pegged you as a morning person."

"I'm not. I just try really hard." Another yawn. "Merlin was teaching me about computers and phones. A very beginner lesson."

"So that was why!" Those words jumped out before he could stop it. Her face contorted between another yawn and confusion. "That was why he looked so amused."

"Be careful. He's probably listening."

Eggsy pushed the menu aside and leaned closer. It was obvious that there was tension between Merlin and Susan. He could try to understand both sides, but he couldn't pinpoint the exact reason. He guessed that Merlin was still reeling from the loss of Harry, and he was the one who took it the hardest. For Susan, he could only assume that it was being alone and around people who could hurt her. Her openness probably made Merlin more suspicious too. So to hear this news, he could only imagine how it went. Were there arguments? How late did it get?

What did they even talk about to not be at each other's throat?

"Fuck that. What happened? Did he give you a phone?" There was no threatening aura coming from his comms. There's nothing from Merlin on the other side, and at this point he could deal with anything.

"Yes." She pulled out the standard issue phone from her dress pocket and placed it on the table. "He taught me the basic stuff."

"Borrow!"

He took her phone without even waiting for her reply. It took him a moment of surprise on how it wasn't obviously encrypted yet. He unlocked it with a swipe, checked her contacts and found all of their numbers already listed. He sent a quick text to himself and pulled out his own phone.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting your number and the wonderful act that is texting."

"Texting."

He showed her both their phones. What followed was a quick lesson on the activity. He did his best with demonstrating it to her. Soon, he gave back her phone. "Go on. Text me."

"What should I say?"

"Well, you can try something like, 'Eggsy, you are damn amazing!'"

Susan looked down on her phone, contemplating. It didn't take her that long to start typing. He took the chance to take a discreet video on how she typed. His phone pinged after some time.

FROM: UNKNOWN NUMBER

TO: Eggsy

You are amazing, Eggsy. Thank you.

Another ping. A heart emoji followed. He cut the video by then.

"You're welcome. Now smile."

She blinked and tilted her face, just in time for him to take a photo. He set it as her contact photo and showed her. "You can ask Merlin about the wonders of the phone camera next."

"Phones have cameras now!" She looked at the camera of her own phone.

"Yes. Our phones have fucking good ones at that too."

"I—. Do you think he'll teach me?"

"It's a given for us, but it'll probably gonna be a part of your training. Of course, he will. We'd be happy to help too."

She was going to say something more, but their orders came in and her shock was obvious at what she saw. Her eyes were glued on the blocks of dark chocolate in the ice cream she ordered. The chocolate syrup and banana slices topped the equally chocolate ice cream. He caught it all on camera, especially when she took her first taste of it.

She sighed and even moaned softly.

FROM: Eggsy

TO: Rox

Rox. Rox. ROX. WATCH THIS. NOW.

(Video attached)

FROM: Rox

TO: Eggsy

OH MY. SHE IS ADDICTED TO CHOCOLATE.

"So, what is the plan after ice cream?"

"Huh?"

He paused halfway texting Roxy to look up at Susan. He hit 'send' then pocketed the phone. "Well, I was hoping to bring you to my little sister's toddler recital. I forgot about it and was asking Mom if you could join us for lunch. She cooks a fucking delicious one. But, Daisy's recital is the same day."

"Oh Eggsy, you should've told me. I don't want to intrude family time."

"You're not intruding. My mom likes meeting coworkers. She met Roxy briefly, already."

Other than the phone conversation during the Valentine debacle there was another incident. A dead drunk night out, grieving, of which he insisted that home was closer. Insisting meant a lot of whining that Roxy never let go. His mom insisted he bring her one of her cooked lunches as a thank you and sorry for the trouble gift. The blackmail material was still in Roxy's mental archive.

"Pleeeeeease."

"Only if I buy your mom and sister a gift before we go there."

"Deal. That cufflink chest you gave me was pretty rad, thanks. The carvings were fucking cool."

"My pleasure."

Two more videos were taken and sent to Roxy before the toddler recital. The first was Susan complimenting the waitress that served them until she was blushing and promised to deliver the compliments to the rest of the crew. The second one was her gushing over music with that Josh that Roxy told him more about. He had to cut it short because the discussion was too long for a sneaky video. She was very animated and Josh was a swell guy. Josh even involved him into the conversation, asking him about his taste in music and if he could recommend anything. All in all, it could still be considered a quick chat. Susan had a new list of music to listen to and a gift for his mom and little sister by the end of it.

XXXXXX

Michelle Unwin was a mother and her intuition had always told her that Eggsy's work was more than being a helper at a tailor shop. She had seen the shop in question, and she could imagine how rich their clients were. Definitely rich enough that they could give a housing perk to their employees. However, she was a mother, and she was aware when after days of absence, her son would've stiff muscles and fading bruises that he tried to hide. Or when there were nights where she found him in their kitchen, looking out the window with nightmare haunted eyes. She knew that whatever her son's work was, it was dangerous.

She also knew, and couldn't deny, that Eggsy was happy with whatever he was doing. He loved it.

He loved it and everyone he's with in it. So, when Eggsy told her that he would bring a workmate along, she was more than curious. She wanted to know if this Susan was like Roxy or completely different. Another was why Eggsy liked her.

"This is quite an elaborate program." Said woman spoke from her left while to her right, Eggsy fussed with his phone. "How long did they prepare? The decorations are quite superb as well."

"The recital program practices took a month. The teachers wanted every child to be as comfortable as possible, especially those with special needs. Those who do not wish to be left alone on stage got a duet or a companion. The decorations, I believe, a couple of weeks."

"That's very admirable of them. It's always sad when a child couldn't participate because of a fear and the people around them, even just one, hardly cared. I'm glad that this isn't the case here." A soft look touched Susan's face as her finger ran along the spine of the program pamphlet.

"I heard that they found something for everyone to do to contribute." Michelle smiled at her and leaned a bit. "Even the so called loners enjoyed the whole preparation."

"So called?"

"Those who find happiness in solitude still need some friends and companions. Don't you think so?"

"Dear ladies, the fancy term is introverts."

"Yes. Well, thank you for your input, Eggsy."

Eggsy winked before settling back to his seat.

"Your son got a good heart in his unimaginably broad chest." Susan said pointedly with a grin. Eggsy puffed out his chest and nudged Michelle's shoulder. "I just pray that his head wouldn't blow up too much to pop."

"Su. I am the humblest person you have the pleasure of meeting."

Susan put a hand atop her heart and inclined her head forward. "I feel so blessed."

"Will you marry me now?"

Michelle couldn't help her brow from rising in both question and amusement. Eggsy definitely never tried charming Roxy when she visited. If there was anything, there was much sibling-like teasing and rivalry. There was definitely no talk of marriage even if it was teasing. "Marry?"

"Oh, he's not serious."

"I know. I'm just surprised to hear him say that. Eggsy's a closet romantic."

"Mom!"

"Yes. He is. When he proposed to me the first time, I knew he was jesting. I can see his point of the partnership though. We were going to be filthy rich if it boomed."

"Su." He hissed from her right. "This isn't why I brought you along."

"But alas, I see him as a baby brother."

"Great. You're not hearing me."

Michelle chuckled. Their expressions were pretty dramatic and Eggsy topped it off with a roll of his eyes. Susan replied with a deep sigh and looking far to the distance. She could only shake her head at the two. It seemed like they knew each other well.

"Speaking of babies." She saw the mischief in those blue eyes and quickly caught on.

"That would depend. Hmmm. I usually don't show Eggsy's baby pictures until he's whining and begging loud enough to not to."

"Fuck no."

The trickle of people coming in had died down and the full room was buzzing in excitement. She was sure that in a few minutes the host would step out to the podium to welcome everyone. Whatever teasing they were doing to Eggsy would have to wait when that happens. That would be disappointing because she really wanted to see how much more her son's face could distort when he couldn't whine so openly.

"Hmm. How long have you been working with Eggsy?"

Susan paused and looked at her in consideration. There was a slight surprise at the question. "I am yet to work with him, but we've known each other for about a week now."

It was her turn to be surprised.

"I don't know what I did but he'd been there making me smile ever since we met. I think it was because I just came back from a very long vacation."

She turned to Eggsy for a confirmation, but instead found him pointing at the stage. She noticed just in time that the host had stepped out to the podium. Whatever words she had in her mouth died, but they still stayed and tumbled in her mind, then later in her subconscious.

She got her answer once the recital was done and it was time to say goodbye.

"So Mom," Eggsy stepped to her side while watching Susan and Daisy get acquainted. The woman was good and genuine with children, she couldn't deny that. Maybe that was why Eggsy brought her. They watched for a few moments as Susan answered Daisy's questions. "Her eyes are still sad, aren't they?"

Everything else clicked then. Susan pointed at Eggsy and said something to Daisy that had her giggling. Michelle reviewed their interactions in a different light this time. He was right about her eyes being sad. They were also, if she could venture, exhausted.

"Mom! Mom!" Daisy's call broke the trek. She blinked aware to see her daughter in Susan's arms and waving a gift.

"They still are, but there's a twinkle." She gave him a pat on the arm and a kiss on his cheek. "I'm proud of you."

XXXXXX

Merlin could do nothing at this moment but stare, and he's aware he was doing it. It threw the plans he was concocting and his current conversation with Percival far to the background.

FROM: Pevensie

TO: Merlin

I hope I'm not interrupting anything. Eggsy taught me texting. Make sure to have some lunch. If Harry or Roxy is with you, please make sure they eat as well. -SP

Percival thought that he could end his mission sooner than the TTC he gave before. He was proposing possible timings and Merlin was in the middle of simplifying it. Timing was everything in this mission and Percival wasn't the only Kingsman involved. Percival's pieces for the finale might be in place, but Mordred's pieces for his own climax must coincide with it. Merlin couldn't pretty much make this a three way call, too risky.

He was still staring.

A blink, a look at the time, then another blink. Half past noon. Already.

Two taps broke his thoughts. Percival's feed showed the piece of paper he wrote his report on. Merlin? His name written in script. He took a deep breath then transferred all the information to his cliptab and the feed to his glasses. Then, he took his mug and swept a look in the lab for something that would need cleaning.

"Percival. Are ye sure about this?"

Y.

"Mordred's TTC coincides with the last one ye reported and I haven't heard anything that could mean otherwise. Would it compromise ye to wait?"

To a small degree. Nothing I couldn't handle.

"Did he tell ye anything?"

Yes, he couldn't conduct a three-way call, but he had given Mordred and Percival a line of communication with a different code of security. It befitted their places as infiltrators without any means of manually erasing their traces, unlike reports to him. He could always erase tracks for both parties real time.

Preparation. No change of timeframe.

"Well then. No one's interfering with yer line, so as long as ye can settle a date with Mordred, I'm giving you the go."

Wonderful.

"Only if ye're confident of casualty and success rates."

Copy.

"And make sure that Mordred knows what ye're doing at the very least."

Of course.

"Ye're to come home alive, Percival."

Will do.

"Take care."

The comms and feed cut into silence. Merlin tried to contact Mordred immediately. The connection was cut as fast as it started. Bad timing. He didn't like it, as he often did. "Shit. Not again."

This was one of the reasons he disliked Mordred.

The agent would always go quiet when preparing for anything big. Almost no reports or contact. It didn't even matter what type of mission it was. The only red herring the rest of them, specifically Merlin, had was the decreasing reports. The fact that he succeeds most of the time using such technique was something he rubbed on everyone's faces as well. Specifically, Merlin, who's left to anticipate and prepare for any possibility so he could jump to support him in case the need arises. His anxiety raging high because such need had history.

He slightly regretted not telling Percival to drag Mordred's hide back as well.

They couldn't fail. Failure would mean loss of valuable data, compromised futures of the populace, and a harder to contain danger. Failure would mean a deadly addictive drug mixed in candies spread throughout the world. It was almost a little boon that they found out about the drug being spread in the third world countries through social media. Another boon that he got curious enough to confirm this seemingly faux news. They had previous incidents like these candy drugs, but not as alarming as this.

Timing was every—bzzt, bzzt—thing.

FROM: Harry

TO: Merlin

Susan texted. I didn't know you gave her a phone already. She reminded that you get some lunch.

Before he could even type a reply, another text popped in.

FROM: Roxy

TO: Merlin

Go get some food. Please.

He groaned under his breath and stepped out of the lab. Unease helped the now apparent hunger dig in his stomach. He was already questioning his decision of giving her a phone before official training. She didn't even ask for one. The request she posed at him last night could be interpreted in a myriad of ways. He could've played the song from YouTube. Once! Instead, he gave her information about the possible extent of their technology with the lessons he provided, beginner though it was.

It also didn't help that he couldn't monitor her live feed at all times by this point.

"Merlin. I didn't expect to see you here." He paused halfway pinching the bridge of his nose and looked at who called him. He didn't even realize that he already got to the kitchen. A portly man was flipping vegetables in a pan while the stove roared with fire. The fire reflected against exposed dark skin of his arms before it calmed back down. "You're just in time to finally eat a freshly cooked lunch."

That made Merlin sheepish. He smiled and ran a palm on his face. It was well known that he was never on time when it came to meals. Coming to the kitchen to eat whatever they set aside for him was already habit, which were the only meals really made outside the cafeteria most of the time. "Someone reminded me it's already lunch, Ham."

"Bless whoever they are." Hamlet Killian was one of the five senior chefs of the Kingsman. He's also the one chef that Merlin butted heads with. The reason? "Coffee wouldn't sustain you enough. A hearty meal is required three times a day! Don't make me drag you out that lab again, boy."

That. It was something that neither or anyone who knew let go. Ham was his senior in terms of tenure and he took it upon himself to drag the newly appointed Merlin from his lab to the dining room. Literally. By the ear. It took a long arduous talk to even agree to the current arrangement.

"Please don't." He sat on one of the bar stools and set the cliptab on the counter. His stomach growled in impatience, now that he smelled the aroma in the air. "Have pity on my pride. The nagging notes are more than enough."

Hamlet hummed then turned back to cooking.

Merlin pulled up all the reports collated from Percival and Mordred. He focused on Mordred's reports to try to figure out what the agent had as a plan of action. Alongside it, he pulled out a floorplan hologram of the druglab from Percival's reports and his own hackings. One after another, he formulated plans per possibility and counters for every emergency. He was in the middle of scheduling information clearings when a plate of food cut through the holograms. Ham's stern face loomed over. He collapsed the holograms and took the plate, without a word. He dug in a moment after, waiting for Ham to turn around. It happened after the seventh spoonful. Another spoonful and Merlin was multitasking. He ignored Ham's tsks until he heard the pan sizzle once more.

"Who's that for?" The kitchen counter now sported a few chopped carrots, a big chunk of chicken, and a small slice of tuna.

"The cat." Ham motioned somewhere to Merlin's right without even looking up.

The cat.

Golden eyes and a thoughtful expression welcomed his gaze when he turned. He forgot about the cat. Golden eyes blinked. The thoughtful expression stayed without any shift. A reminder why he liked dogs just a little bit more. Paranoia pushed a new torrent of worries that brought on the old ones as well. The old ones that were at this point irrational.

IRRATIONAL UNTIL:

1. What if they've out maneuvered the Kingsman's technology?

Yes. The Kingsman got advanced tech, but there would always be someone with better. Valentine proved that. Tony Stark continued to do so. Merlin knew he couldn't counter all of them, but he would desperately try.

"The cat's better with meal times than you could ever be." Ham slid a dog bowl and patted the cat's head, before moving to clean up. "He's pretty well behaved. I thought he was a stray at first, without the collar. We have a shortage of cats up here."

"Where does he wander?" Merlin would need to review the feeds. He could clearly remember that Miss Pevensie had invited the cat into the shop. "Have ye seen him under?"

"No. Never under. I believe he just goes here, his master's room, and the gardens. He's a cat after all. Also, I would know if he ventured down. The grapevine will reach me, especially about cute cats." The pans were wiped dry and set back to their proper places. "But then, the rumor mill holds not a cat but a lady as its main topic."

Merlin groaned, put his hands on the back of his head, bowed, and groaned again. "Why is the timing of everything so damn fuckin' wrong?"

"You know boy," He felt a hand clasp his shoulder. "You can't prevent everything and protect everyone from everything. Death is a part of this business from Arthur down to Matt, the new intern janitor. We all know it the moment we agreed to the contract. We aren't the first that will die. We won't be the last."

"I can still try."

"And you know that is futile. Harry's death changed everyone and everyone's slowly working their way to learn from it." Ham squeezed his shoulder. "You? You're grasping at all the strings too tight and your fingers are bleeding."

"Strings?"

It was Ham's turn to groan. He sat down on bar stool beside his. "For someone using a tailor cover, you'd expect they get the analogy."

"I get the analogy. I think ye don't understand that I am supposed to be the holder of all these strings. I am the Merlin."

"I've lived through two Merlins before you and I swear you are the most annoying of them all."

Merlin didn't understand where he was getting at. All he could think about were the nightmares that plagued him at every death. Before, it was just him experiencing the way said agent died. After Harry, his nightmares evolved to dropping him to a situation and showing him all the ways his strategy wo—could fail. All the ways the agents could die while their most beloveds stay in the shadows watching. Eggsy's and Roxy's were some of the worst. Percival's shocked silence was too loud. Daisy's cries ripped him open and he had never even met the child.

"Merlin."

He crashed back to reality and was welcomed by Ham's concerned face. He could never comprehend why he cared so much for him. He wanted to ask why, but never found courage to do it. Back in the early days, he thought it was just a dedication to his job. A few months after that initial incident changed his mind. It didn't help that there were the little things.

SAID LITTLE THINGS:

1. Nagging notes.

2. Set aside meals.

3. Updates on the gossip mill of the Kingsman.

4. So many more.

"Do you trust your comrades?"

The answer to that was simple and true. It would always be true even amid incredulity and confusion. "With my life."

"And the rest of the Kingsman?"

Chester King's face filled the forefront of his mind. Questions that he thought he had long laid to rest revived. Did he even feel an ounce of guilt? Did he regret when he knew he was going to die? Did he even think of how stupid Valentine's plan was? Did he get tired of all the seemingly endless work they're doing? He remembered the grief of Harry's injury. The relief when Harry's revived. He remembered the hope when Harry stepped up to be Arthur. The immediate changes, future plans, and how almost everyone's struggling, but trying.

"Aye."

"Do you trust yourself?"

Something lodged in his throat. Was it an answer or having no answer?

QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOWED THAT SIMPLE ONE:

1. Trust himself? In what manner?

2. To protect himself? To protect his own?

3. To protect what he should?

4. To do his best? To do what is right?

5. To what degree?

He stared at his hands, trying to find a suitable answer to all those questions. His lips remained clamped shut. That made him almost laugh. How he wished an answer would show up on his palm.

Ham poked his side with an elbow. "They say often enough that trust is like glass. A mirror. I never really liked that analogy, but I learned that there's some truth in it. Its end is a bit lacking though."

Ham set his hands together on top of his belly and smiled at him. "A person isn't ever meant to be one big unblemished mirror. It discredits all the facets of a person that evolves from the breaking. Each shard could reflect a different light and present a different you."

The cat, done with his meal, approached them and rubbed his head against Merlin's arm. His face never changed, but there's an air of comfort. Gold eyes stared at him before giving a blink.

"The secret is healing the cracks." Ham reached out and scratched the cat behind one of his ears. "The Japanese got it down really early too. Kintsugi. Healing the broken cracks with gold. It's wonderful. I'll definitely bring my family to see such art for my next vacation."

Merlin had no doubt that Ham had taken the task of lecturing him. Ham took every damn chance. He honestly thought that the man ran out of analogies decades ago, only to be proven wrong.

As pattern would dictate, the clear conclusion would be reached.

"What I mean, my boy, is try. There's a chance that it'll hurt but would you deprave yourself of everything else just because of it? Give it a chance."

There's logic in it. It also wasn't an impossible request even. Merlin was just asked that he try, not that he succeed. He could do that. He could do that.

Trust. Trust. That didn't mean he needed to erase all doubts. Just a chance.

The cat nuzzled against his arm again and this time, he reached out and ran his fingers against the furry head.

"I'll try."

The cat gave a purr and Merlin thought it even smiled.

"There we go." Ham clapped a hand against his back, while pushing himself to stand. "Another plate, then I'll allow you to go back to your plans. If you have time, you should check with the science and tech kids under. They're cooking something interesting."

Percival's name popped into Merlin's feed. A call? At this time? He straightened up and immediately reached out for his cliptab. He was halfway there when Mordred's, Mordred's, feed filled a part of his glasses.

Gunshots filled his ears. Fire in his glasses.

"What the fuck is happenin'?!" He grabbed the cliptab and pulled everything up. He was out the kitchen as soon as he finished that sentence.

"The finale." Mordred. Amusement. Gunshots. Sarcasm. "Percival said he got your permission."

"A few minutes ago!" He kicked his lab's door, while transferring all the information back to his computer.

"Half an hour." Percival. Grinning. Exhilarated. A thump of a kick and a body crashing on the floor. Glass shattering.

"So, right. Merlin, your magic would be greatly appreciated."

"It's not magic, Mordred." Gritted teeth. Fingers speeding through keys. Questions that he couldn't ask but needed answers on. Cameras. Audio. Minutes filled with destruction.

A finale indeed.

"Merlin!"

"I'm working!" He growled.

WORKING:

1. Information: The final video and audio feeds are pulled out safely before the hardware was destroyed. Any possible trace of the Kingsman was removed just in case something went wrong.

The lab's existence is removed from the face of the earth, while all the leads found during the commotion are taken to their side.

2. Lives: Syndicate members, Carter or not, are removed from the board. Whether it be by fire, bullets, or whatever waits on the sidelines.

(Arthur's Kingsguard. Merlin's Mages.)

3. Percival and Mordred coming home alive.

"There we have it." Mordred didn't even sound winded. Merlin could still hear his smile. A smile he wanted to damn erase with his fist, at some point.

Merlin didn't know how long it took. He's just relieved that he could call this a success. He already sent word for the cleanup, and the Kingsguards and Mages would know what to do. Standard procedure.

"We'll be leaving the clean up to you Merlin." Percival, on the other hand, just recovered from a coughing fit.

"No need telling him that. We're probably disturbing the cleanup by being here." Mordred stepped into Percival's line of sight, putting him in his feed. He didn't look injured, but definitely roughened up.

"There's a car waiting for you ten minutes east from your current position. Everything you would need is there."

"Hair dye kit?" Mordred headed for the direction, pulling his stolen hat over his dirtied red hair.

"First stop. As usual."

"Thank you."

Merlin took the silence that followed to come down from the adrenaline high he was in. He took the chance to breathe and put his thoughts into order.

His body sagged in relief. His eyes wide and brows high in surprise.