"He acts different." Susan followed Steve's gaze to what was happening behind her. Even through the screen of her laptop, she knew what he was looking at. "He's more playful than when I was there."

"Maybe to him, you're hardly an acceptable playmate." Her pets were playing with each other, running around a small part of the garden she allowed them to play in.

"He liked me when I was there."

"But not enough to play with. I pegged you to be a dog person, Steve."

That was not the reason her cat was active. Aslan had said his partings a week after she'd brought Maugrim home. It wasn't a tearful event, nor was it tense. There were few words but it was enough to be understood. There was gratitude. However, it was the apology received that she remembered.

"I know. I know. I request so many stories of Grim and pictures to accompany it that you can't keep up. I also talked nonstop on how I would love to meet him in person." She couldn't help but chuckle at that. Her phone was full of pictures of Maugrim just because of that request. She had no right to complain though, she started it. "It's just that Battalion's always in one corner or not around in the pictures you sent. And when we talk like this, he's always observing."

"I guess he's now comfortable. Maugrim probably helped." The pup paused at hearing his name, if the sudden loss of barks was a sign. It resumed a few moments later, punctuated by a high-pitched, scandalised meow. "I brought them to see Peggy."

Susan waited until the emotions on Steve's face settled. The small smile that appeared to stay was of fondness and curiosity. The pain, something they shared and promised to move past of, stayed in his eyes. It wasn't damning or crippling anymore. It was fine. He told her during one dead night that it wasn't a betrayal, but moving on. She knew that. Some part of her did, but having someone tell her gave validity that she wasn't imagining things. "It was fun. Beautiful. It was peaceful."

Susan told Steve of Peggy. How her smile was wide and her eyes sparkled when she was introduced to the pets. How she was playful while ever being her firm self. How she remembered and how she forgot. The stories exchanged, both true and made up. They talked in length about Peggy introducing Susan to the other residents. How Susan was introduced as her 'dear oath sister that she would see happy'.

"Happy." Steve started. The twinkle in his eyes already had Susan ready the age old response.

"She still doesn't believe that I will be infinitely happy—"

"—just to be able to sleep in for however long without any worry."

She smirked and turned her nose up at him. "Bucky shared my sentiments."

"The idyllic life of the so called peaceful times."

She mirrored his smile, memories to the forefront. Bucky would always describe that idyllic life with words borrowed but remembered. She had wondered where he got the words and always thought that it was from a book read in childhood. It was so idyllic it was definitely farfetched, especially to people like them. "I wonder if he would still say the same lines if he was here."

"I hope so."

Without even thinking, Susan reached out to the screen to smoothen the crease of his forehead. A poor mimic of what she would've done if they were actually together, but it made Steve smile at the absurdity.

"If he was here, he would still be the same ilk of a martyr that you are."

She tapped his forehead through the screen and huffed.

"Says the man bearing the shield."

Maugrim and Battalion filled the silence with meows and barks.

"Do you think we deserve such idyllic life?"

"Oh Steve," She dropped the hand touching the screen and held her arms. "You're asking the wrong person."

Whatever he was going to say was interrupted by a voice outside the screen. It wasn't Tony, for it was meeker than the Stark spawn would ever allow himself. Susan was ready to say her goodbyes but when he called whoever it was, introductions were to follow.

Bruce Banner.

Susan found herself wanting to hug the man as tight as she could. Unable to, she did what she could to widen the smile Steve had started. "You work with the Stark spawn."

"Not completely, but yeah. Yeah."

"And how is the Stark spawn treating you?"

"Yeah Bruce, how is the Stark spawn treating you these days?"

The little twitches of Bruce's lips turned into a half-smile with Steve's echo of her question. "So is that what we're all calling Tony now?"

Steve grinned. "Only when he isn't around."

"But you're free to try when he's around. Do tell me his reaction though. Something to tease my dear Stark spawn."

Bruce blinked, realization dawning. "You're the Granny he mentioned that one time! He was so riled up he was snapping at anyone in a ten feet radius."

"Snapping?"

"Well, his more than usual sass."

"And since you work with him, are you the main target of it? You are, I assume, within the ten feet radius."

"Initially. Nothing new from the Stark spawn."

Susan laughed. "I'm sorry. 'Twas my fault. I didn't think he would be riled up that badly. I was just teasing him relentlessly. I did tell him he was free to leave since the video call was between Steve and I."

She didn't even expect that she would be able to tease Tony about something back then. She had believed that he humoured her, but to hear Bruce's account of what happened after had her grinning. "Surely, I wasn't that bad. I was just bored."

"Su, you're dangerous when you're bored."

"Hush Steve, I'm talking to Mr. Banner."

Steve rolled his eyes while Bruce looked on with a degree of wonder.

"Oh, you weren't Miss Pevensie. The Stark spawn is just wired to be dramatic. I admit he is a constant source of entertainment."

It was idle chatter after that. She wasn't updated or that knowledgeable about science that she could talk to him in length. There also wasn't enough time. Bruce called Steve for a reason and within the following minutes, they were saying their delayed goodbyes.

She turned away from the screen and was welcomed by a Maugrim bored of Battalion and a Battalion relieved of said boredom. She shook her head in fondness and reached out to beckon them to her.

"Now that that's done, let's move on to the next agenda for the day."

"I hope that agenda can be changed."

She was halfway standing when she heard the statement. "Eggsy! How long have you been standing there?"

"Don't worry, I just arrived but I do bring news that I think you will like."

"Enough to change my agenda for the day?"

"For sure."

Eggsy. Harvey. Merlin. Harry.

Whatever it was that would change her daily agenda, it was important, and it would be a lie to say she wasn't curious as to what it was.

Eggsy gave her a side glance and a grin before turning to Merlin. "Shall we start the mission brief?"

Susan blinked and before she could even stop herself, thought finally.

Galahad. Gawain. Merlin. Arthur.

"Please do." She gave a nod to Arthur. She was a newcomer, but she wasn't a beginner in the business. Would they give her an easy one to ease her in? Would it be a farce of a mission with Kingsman strings attached? Or would they give her a mission with a challenge and a chance to prove herself?

"How much do you know about the Candy drug syndicate?"

The latter, then. Susan scoured her memories for the chunks of info that she had gathered through her stay. "I know that it has been our main priority these past months. Percival and Mordred were sent to destroy a lab of the Candy syndicate, but given that we're still sending out agents it is a false lead or a lead to something bigger. I assume the latter. What little news we get isn't pinning it to any large brand or main producer in particular, so I believe we agree on the theory that we are dealing with those that mimic various brands and mix in. Also, since we're dealing with syndicates, I believe you're using the opportunity to dismantle other syndicates in hopes of narrowing down the culprit. Other than that, I am in the dark."

"That mission of Percival and Mordred's resulted to two things." Merlin took over control of the discussion. "First, was that they're experimenting on expanding. Second, was a person of interest. Both were confirmed by his most recent report."

A profile was pulled up on one of the screens along with other photos, and she took her time formulating a first impression. She leaned back to her chair and tilted her head a bit to the side, still aware of Merlin's following words.

"Lucien Alexandre. Major player in the French real estate market by being a major stockholder of multiple corporations. He recently started dabbling with the tech industry by buying stocks of a few tech giants." A man aware of his influence with charm to match. There's a permanent shadow of a smirk in every expression. She noted the haze of boredom in his eyes. Old money, she bet by the pose of his body, the easy confidence and the subtle pride of someone who'd never seen true rock bottom in life. "Other than the usual corporate and white collar crimes, his corporations are cleaner than the usual filth we deal here. We can't say the same with him."

She hummed under her breath and started memorizing the handsome face.

"Three cases of arson, which were all acquitted due to lack of evidence among others."

She gave a small nod, taming her smile to something neutral.

"The goal of this mission is to get whatever kind of information he has and will have about the Candy syndicate."

"So, go in, get information, hack his servers and security, then get out." Galahad summarized.

"Pretty much." Merlin pulled up new information on the other screens.

A gala in Paris. So that's how they planned this, Susan mused. And why I am part of this.

"Alexandre is a patron of the arts, whether it be music, visual arts, theatre or dance. He holds a gala every year to present his chosen dance companies and groups and give them the chance to perform to both old and potential business partners." Merlin paused for a moment, looking at his cliptab. Once he looked up, he carried on with providing them the details: the rough plan, their roles, a brief breakdown of the gala's security detail, and each Kingsman's goals. "I will be joining you to supervise and backup. Arthur will be staying here."

"Don't worry Guinevere," Galahad leaned over to her side, a grin in place. "I'm a good partner and backup."

"Lancelot had complaints." Gawain gave them a smirk. "I'm sure you'll find others have too."

"Hey, I do my best."

"We have a few weeks to plan and polish." Arthur took over the reins of the brief with a calm smile. "There's much to do. You're dismissed."

She stood up with Galahad and Gawain, but didn't turn to leave as they did. Instead, she watched Merlin and Harry move closer to the screens to make quiet discussion. "Arthur?"

Everyone paused and turned their eyes to her.

"Yes, Guinevere?"

"By chance, do you have any of my things from my old flat in storage?"

"Yes. We'll compile a list of what we have and send it to you so you can choose what you need."

"Thank you."

When she turned to the door, Harvey and Eggsy were standing there watching and waiting. She smiled and hooked her arm around Eggsy's. "Well partner, may I have you for myself for a few?"

"Depends. Minutes, hours or days?"

"Definitely not days. Let's start with a few minutes."

"I'm at your service, Your Highness."

Susan tutted. "Majesty."

The chest on the table was made of dark wood; elegant in its plainness and mysterious in its simplicity. It stood out from its place on Merlin's work desk. Said man placed the spoon he was holding down and looked at the chest, then to the one that put it before him.

"We delivered your lunch hours ago. Please tell me that's snack."

"Afraid I can't, Miss Pevensie." He didn't miss her sigh and the slight shake of her head. He motioned to the chest. "Do you want to put that back into storage?"

He was the one to give her the list of her belongings kept in their storage the same day of the mission brief. She returned it to him an hour later with a shorter list of what she required. Most of what she asked for were boxes of clothes, accessories and a few personal affects that they returned easily. Since then, he only interacted with Miss Pevensie when she had the time to check on him during lunch.

She even brought Maugrim along to deliver his meals. She had the puppy pull a little cart with his meal as part of his training.

He couldn't say no to the puppy. He just couldn't.

He set aside his finished meal.

"No. I'm actually here to ask if you can put a recorder on what's inside." She pushed the chest to his direction, urging him to open it himself with a small smile. "I'm planning to wear it in the gala."

"Hm?" He took the chest and weighed it in his hands. "You do know that the Kingsman will provide anything you might need in the mission."

"I know. I didn't expect the Fashion Department to be that big and intricate." Her smile confirmed his suspicion that the department jumped on the chance to make something for her. He had seen the excitement when the department discovered they had a new prey to dress. He had also heard of their plans. "However, they were very considerate to consider my suggestions. I appreciate that."

He opened the chest and felt his brows furrow immediately.

Inside was a small jewelled dagger. A hand span long with the handle taking most of its size. It sported a ball of sapphire as a pommel. A handle that was littered with pieces of light blue lapis lazuli. A scabbard of black leather adorned by a smaller sapphire.

He raised a brow. She did the same in reply. A dare that he voice out his thoughts.

He was sure that the dagger was authentic. He was also sure that the dagger, though seemingly decorative, was sharp. He picked it up to unsheathe it, only to find that he couldn't. His brows furrowed further.

"It's protected by a lock mechanism." She moved closer to him, hovering by his shoulder. He could also feel her hand resting against the back of his seat. "But, someone in Facilities was able to open it and kept it sharp."

"You're planning to wear this." He deadpanned while he analysed and fiddled with the dagger. There were only a few components that could be involved as keys so the order of unlocking would be the one that mattered. "Why?"

She moved away from him, movements in his periphery.

"I studied the security detail of the gala and I think there are more ways I can gather information." He heard two soft thuds on the floor just when he failed his third try in unlocking the dagger. When he looked up, Miss Pevensie was already sitting on his desk, ankles crossed, feet bare and shoes on the floor. Her toes were no longer painted, been that way since the pink with cherries faded. She was watching him with a spark in her eyes. Curiosity. Challenge.

Her power suit brought out the blue of her eyes very well.

"So you're planning to be the clueless guest and ask for the head of security to handle your complaint." He turned his gaze back to the dagger, grasping at the last combination he tried to unlock it. "Have the dagger confiscated and use its recorder to gather information."

"Amazing." She chuckled and reached out to offer a hand to him. He passed the dagger to her and watched as she unlocked it. It was gleaming sharp when she unsheathed it. "It sounds cliché when you say it like that, but I know it depends on the delivery."

"I look forward to it." He offered his hand to take it from her.

"Truly?" That one word sounded so earnest. She looked earnest when she passed it to him for examination.

"Yes."

When she smiled wide, he realized he was honest in that answer for reasons more than he initially thought. More than just being a quartermaster of the Kingsman would have reason to.

Would she meet their expectations?

"I'll work on the recorder." She gave the dagger to him and he returned it to its chest, putting it aside. "Give me a couple of days."

"Thank you."

Workload spiked two days before the Paris mission and thus, Harry was swamped and stuck in his office until ungodly hours. Mordred just returned from a successful mission. Debriefs were handled. Paperwork and reports were submitted and reviewed. Footages were reviewed. Plans were made, backups included. Damages were accounted for and information was bent and twisted to tell a story palatable to the public. That and all his regular tasks as Arthur.

That would also mean he's not the only one working at such an ungodly hour.

Merlin being around was almost always a given during these situations. Another given was their habit of winding down with some late night drinks from the kitchen before going home. So with that in mind and Merlin beside him, Harry was more than ready to unwind.

And definitely not whatever was happening in the kitchen when they arrived.

Eggsy was pouring bags upon bags of crisps into a punch bowl set on the middle of the counter. Heaven knew how many more bags of crisps there were in store because the punch bowl was almost full, he's still filling it up, and one could spy even more grocery bags of crisps lying around. Roxy snatched a handful of crisps while sliding two bottles beside the punch bowl. Scotch Whisky and Cabernet Sauvignon. Scotch glasses immediately followed.

They're both also out of their suits, wearing the most casual of clothes.

"Fuck off Rox." Eggsy swatted Roxy's hand when she tried getting some crisps again.

"There's more than enough, Eggs." Roxy popped crisps in her mouth before going back to the small liquor cabinet.

The microwave pinged.

Susan and Mordred—Francis—worked together in plating microwaved sandwiches and cutting fruit.

"What is happening?" Harry decided to break their moment to actually know what's happening. "Francis, you should be at home."

The four in the kitchen turned to him. Eggsy halfway pouring another bag of crisps to an already full punch bowl. Roxy was in the middle of pulling out a bottle of vodka.

"Harry! Merlin!" Susan wiped her hands and pulled at the collar of her two sizes too big sleep shirt that was slipping off her shoulder. "How can we help you?"

"Yeah. I should be, but I was stringed along and I can't say no." Francis slid a plate of sandwiches on the counter. Among the four, he's the only one still wearing the Kingsman trademark outfit. Sans the coat, the vest and the tie, with his sleeves rolled to his elbows.

"What exactly is happening?" Merlin stepped into the kitchen, his eyes obviously roaming and judging. Harry was curious enough to follow.

"Well, Eggsy found his—"

"—I found my Wii U in my room here and Susan owes me a slumber party. Roxy was an easy invite—"

"You begged—"

"—and Susan invited Francis to wind down. I honestly thought he'll say no. She didn't even had to beg. We've streamed enough movies already so we're playing Smash Bros and Mario Kart. You should join us."

Silence.

"You should join us." Eggsy repeated, smile growing. "We need more players! We have enough space in the living room and I'm sure you're gonna have fucking fun!"

Roxy leaned against the counter and waved the bottle of vodka in her hand. "We have drinks."

"Come on. We rarely bond together and we really should! Who knows maybe we could even get a Kingsman wide game night event for all of us to bond together!"

Susan stepped away from the counter, revealing pajama pants and bare feet, bearing a plate of assorted fruits. "You don't have to."

"Oh, they do." Francis folded his arms over the counter and turned to Merlin. A smirk. "They really do."

"Francis." Susan sidled up beside him and nudged him with her shoulder.

"It's just a game, Su. Nothing they should be afraid off."

"We're too busy for this." Merlin sighed. Harry had every inclination to agree. He was the Arthur of the organization and even if Eggsy had a point, there's a mission two days from now.

Francis shrugged, "Unless they're chickening out."

The sudden tension was palpable. Harry could read Merlin's immediate annoyance and Francis' slow smugness.

"They're chickening out." Roxy sighed, her tone dramatically disappointed.

"Arthur and Merlin? Chickening out?" Eggsy's disbelief was so exaggerated Harry had to roll his eyes. "Fuck no. You're not chickens, are you?"

Merlin and Francis were outright glaring at each other. Susan was watching them with obvious concern.

"Merlin and I will be handling the liquor." Harry cut through the tension easily.

"We will?" Merlin's tension broke into confusion. It was eclipsed by the delight on Eggsy and Roxy's faces.

"We will." He motioned at Roxy. "Let me. Move along Merlin."

Merlin muttered a slew of curses in Gaelic while rolling his sleeves up too. Harry stifled a chuckle.

Conflicts were a given in any work environment. It was also a given that for any work environment to be effective, such conflicts must be either set aside or resolved. Each Kingsman knew of Francis and Merlin's conflict to some degree.

Roxy didn't expect she would witness it to this extent.

Once they've all moved to the living room, which was filled with blankets and pillows, Harry and Merlin, along with Susan, were introduced to the game. Susan asked questions. Harry looked at the controller with curiosity. Merlin was listening in rapt attention. After a few introductory matches; Susan still had questions, Harry started calling out anyone that killed him, and Merlin had gone very quiet.

Francis kept winning and he chucked it to the fact that he had a gamer nephew. Roxy would be calling him out if Harry wasn't doing so already.

An hour later, she was proud to be keeping up. Harry had opted out the game and started a very sarcastic commentary about the characters and the impossibilities of the fights while drinking wine. Susan, who had long decided to just watch, made requests to either Eggsy or Francis or her to play a certain character she was curious about. She was never denied.

An observation:

Susan requested Bayonetta and Zelda a lot.

Merlin was still quiet, but quickly catching up to the point that he's defeating Eggsy and her almost consistently.

Two hours in, she had opted out because Merlin targeted her out of the match first, while Francis targeted Eggsy. Harry had replenished their liquor supply from the kitchen. Eggsy was still pushing his luck with fighting against Francis and Merlin, and failing. Susan claimed and curled up on one end of the couch.

Two and a half hours in, she had refilled the punch bowl with crisps. Eggsy finally realized that his luck had long run out and opted out the game. He also had decided to start whining that it's time to change the game being played. Susan brought Maugrim to the living room and Harry had taken the pup out of her arms and onto his lap.

Right now?

Roxy sat with her legs stretched out on the couch, openly betting with Eggsy and Harry on who will win every match. She was winning. Eggsy now owed her so many favors that she's mentally scheduling when she'll cash them out. Susan sat curled up on the other end, her back to the arm rest. She's hugging a pillow and was still surprisingly alert with watching the game in open interest. Her questions had turned from the game to the industry itself and Eggsy was happy to answer her inquiries to the best of his abilities.

Harry had taken it to himself to choose what game they're playing next, while sitting as still as possible to not disturb the sleeping Maugrim on his lap. Eggsy was sprawled on the floor, attention focused on his phone and his liquor.

Francis and Merlin were sitting on the floor, backs resting against the couch. Francis against Roxy's side and Merlin's against Susan's. Both quiet. Both tearing through one match after another.

As far as Roxy knew, no one kept count of who's winning.

She raised her arms up and stretched her back with a grunt. Once she's done that, she moved to stand on the couch. "Anyone need anything? I'm going to the kitchen for some water."

Susan perked up and looked away from the screen. "Chocolate for me, please."

Eggsy raised a hand from the floor. "Coke for me. I ate too much crisps."

She nodded and turned her attention to Merlin's tensed form. He may look like he's relaxed resting his back on the couch with legs stretched out, but the way his shoulders were tensed told another story. Francis, on the other hand, had his legs folded together and his body leaning forward.

"Harry?"

"Water for me too. Thank you." He looked up from his phone.

She stepped over the armrest to the floor, went to the kitchen to get everything and returned to a pretty much same scene.

She set the tray down on the floor, tossed Eggsy his coke, sat down to pour herself and Harry water. Once she gave Harry his drink, she hopped back to her place on the couch while pulling out the chocolate bar in her pocket.

"Su." She offered it out.

"Thank you." Susan took the chocolate with a small smile.

Roxy couldn't help but watch what happened next.

Susan ripped the wrapper with practiced hands, carefully tore a piece with her teeth, and failed to hide her widening smile at the taste. The moment she was done with that piece, she dropped a hand on Merlin's shoulder, pressed her thumb against the muscle of his back, returned to watching the match, all the while carrying on eating her chocolate.

"What did I miss?" Roxy couldn't help blurting, her eyes still glued at what she's seeing.

"Merlin and Francis finally agreed to play a new game."

"Yes! Finally! They've been at it long enough I'm actually excited that Harry chose Just Dance!"

"You will join the dancing, wouldn't you? Roxy?"

Oh?

"…Only if you join us too, Susan." Roxy grinned.

Ooh.