When Harry wakes up that morning, it's to the unpleasant buzzing of his phone, reminding him why today felt like a good day to sleep in.
Yesterday afternoon he was informed of Lancelot's passing, it seems to Harry that the position is cursed.
With a reluctant sigh, Harry drags himself out of bed and begins his morning routine. He doesn't want to have to go the toast at HQ; he wants to mourn the loss of James in the privacy of his home. Harry just hopes that this was his first and last candidate he'll have to propose.
By the time he's done its half-passed twelve and the Kingsman taxi-service is waiting outside for him.
He's going to be late.
"To the shop, please." Harry instructs, crossing his legs in his seat and getting himself comfortable.
Living in the Capital was advantageous, one of the main reasons Harry chose to live in London was that it was situated so close to the underground shuttle in case of emergencies. That; and it was a beautiful city.
"Arthur's in the dining room, sir." Bridgemont says politely, when Harry arrives.
Harry nods in acknowledgement, adjusting his pristine suit and he climbs the stairs to the dining room.
When Harry enters the dining room, Arthur is seated at the head of the table.
Arthur glances up when he walks in, frowning in disapproval. "Galahad."
"Arthur." Harry greets in the same manner, ignoring the narrowing of Arthur's eyes at his tone as he pulls out his chair and takes his seat at the table. Taking his glasses out of his pocket, Harry slides it on his face, activating the lenses. Immediately the faces of his colleagues swim into view.
"You're late. The others were beginning to wonder if we were going to have to have a double toast." Arthur scolds before clearing his throat to get everyone's attention. "Gentleman, I am thankful to say that it has been seventeen years since we last had the occasion to drink from this decanter…"
"Lancelot was an outstanding agent, and a true Kingsman. He will be sorely missed - To Lancelot." Arthur commemorates, lifting his tumbler in a toast.
"To Lancelot!" Everyone cheers solemnly, downing their whiskey glasses.
"Now then," Arthur sighs, "It is time to talk business. I intend to start the selection process for Lancelot's replacement tomorrow."
"So soon?" Gawain questions, frowning.
"I'm afraid so." Arthur replies curtly. "The Kingsman are already stretched thin, we have no time to waste. Now, I want each and every one of you to propose a candidate and have them report to HQ no later than 9pm. Thank you - Dismissed."
Harry deactivated his glasses, tucking them away in his breast pocket as he rose to leave at Arthur's dismissal, but stops and slumps in his seat as he sees Merlin appear in the doorway.
This was going to be a long day.
"Merlin, come in." Arthur greets warmly. "What do you have for us?
"Lancelot was investigating a group of mercenaries who were experimenting with biological weaponry." Merlin explains. "Glasses, gentleman, please."
Directing their attention to the HD screen on the wall, Merlin pulls up the data from his log. Images of countless dead bodies appear on the screen. Men, women alike, scattered in a field and left there to be forgotten."This is Uganda, 2012. They put Synthetic Cathiniones - bath salts - into the water supply on an army base."
"What were the diagnostics of this… virus?"
"Rage, cannibalism, multiple fatalities." Merlin explains dryly.
"This is Chechnya, 2013." Merlin states, changing the slide. "Insurgents turned on one another, but the cause was unclear as no chemicals of any kind were found. It is indisputably, the work of our mercenaries."
"So, what happened to Lancelot?" Harry probs.
"I'm glad you asked, Galahad." Merlin says, showing amusement for the first time since he walked through the door. "Lancelot tracked them to this property in Argentina."
Merlin quickly changed the slide to show a cabin house. "While he had them under surveillance he became aware they had kidnapped someone."
"So, he executed a solo rescue mission, which failed." Arthur says cynically, shaking his head in disappointment. "He should have called in Percival for backup."
Harry straightens in his chair, irritated at Arthur's infuriating habit of speaking ill of another in his presence.
"…Yes." Merlin coughs into his fist, awkward with the tension rising in the room.
"But what's curious is - he's not actually missing." Merlin starts, bringing them back on topic. "He was sighted at Imperial College this morning."
"It's all yours, Galahad." Arthur assigns. "Thank you, Merlin. You're both dismissed."
With a nod, Merlin excuses himself.
"Don't forget your membership proposal, Galahad." Arthur's voice calls out, forcing Harry to pause at the door. "Try picking a more suitable candidate this time."
Turning around to face Arthur, Harry fixes him with a glare at the jab. "Seventeen years and still, evolving with the times remains an entirely foreign concept to you. Times are changing, and we have to change along with it, Arthur."
"He was a chav, Galahad." Arthur scoffs. "You and Merlin's little experiment failed."
"Need I remind you, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Lee Unwin. He was as much Kingsman material as any of them – if not more so." Harry says coldly.
"But he wasn't exactly one of us, was he?" Arthur presses, lips twitching.
"With respect, Arthur, you're a snob." Harry says bitterly. "
"With respect?" Arthur scowls, raising an eyebrow at the insult.
"Like I said before, Arthur." Harry says smiling now. "The world is changing. Many aristocracies in history have developed a sense of insularity and hereditary. There's a reason why aristocrats have developed weak chins."
With that, Harry smooth's down his suit and leaves Arthur sitting in the dining room staring after him, mouth agape.
Harry came to fear whenever Merlin came knocking on his office door with a folder tucked discreetly under his arm.
Harry dreaded it.
He always had this unnecessary fear that one day Merlin won't be bringing him unnecessary information – though Harry couldn't deny soaking up the information like a sponge – but a death certificate.
Most often than not when Merlin came a'knocking, it had nothing to do with new missions and everything to do with his little contrite mate, Eggsy.
Harry could usually see it coming from a mile away. Merlin was horrible at hiding things from him.
But years passed and Harry began to relax when no further incidences seemed to occur besides the occasional minor injuries that were brushed off as 'school scuffles' by his mother; which still had Harry itching to put Dean in his place and give him a proper lesson in disfiguration.
So, Harry was understandably worried when Merlin barges into his office without knocking.
Today was obviously not going to get any better.
The decanter of whiskey on his desk was looking better and better with every passing minute.
"What is it, Merlin?" Harry says wearily, closing his laptop and giving him his undivided attention. He had been looking through the database for a 'suitable' candidate, but looks like that will have to wait for now.
"Your new assignment." Merlin says simply, coming to stand in front of Harry's desk.
Harry frowns, "What are you going on about, Merlin? You gave me the debrief this morning. You can't possibly mean to tell me that something of great importance has suddenly sprung up? Can't you put Percival on it?"
"Oh, no," Merlin says, lips twitching into a grin. "I think you'll want to take this one, Harry."
"Why couldn't you have just emailed it to me then?" Giving a resigned sigh, Harry accepts the folder.
He can feel the beginnings of a headache coming on.
Harry opens the folder, freezing in shock as he stares down at the familiar bright green eyes and smug smirk staring up at him from the photograph.
"I… I don't understand." Harry whispers uncertainly, looking up at Merlin for the answer, brows furrowed anxiously. "If this is some sort of Joke, it is in very poor taste, Merlin."
"This is no joke, Harry." Merlin says seriously. "Elaine received a call twenty minutes ago from Gary. According to her, she says he is – and I quote – 'up shit creek.'"
"He called!?" Harry exclaims immediately, jolting out of his chair. "What happened? Where is he?! Is he ok?"
"According to the police report, he was arrested for grand theft auto and vandalism." Merlin says chuckling. "Crashed himself into a cop car, he did. He's being held at Holborn Police Station."
Harry sinks into his chair, his breath punching out of his chest in relief.
"Fuck, Merlin." Harry croaks, running a hand over his face. Reaching over to his decanter on his desk, he pours himself a glass of whiskey. "You are a right bastard, you know that?"
"Aye, that I do my friend." Merlin smirks. "Just one last thing you should know before you go…"
"What?" Harry sighs, sipping his drink.
"Gary's an omega."
Harry spits out his drink, coughing as he chokes on the whiskey he just inhaled.
"W-what?" Harry chokes, face turning red.
"Just thought you should know." Merlin shrugs, walking out of the room with a smirk on his face.
Merlin exits just as he hears the sound of splintering wood from Harry's office.