PSL: For Charles

[fucking_gentleman]

It was a week before they were willing to let Harry be moved.

He had another emergency surgery where they had to concede to losing his left eye to keep the nerve intact. Once they managed to get him stable again, they made him get through five days of no crashing, no unpredicted dips or spikes, just quiet healing and level drug intake.

Then and only then was it agreed that Harry could be transported back to England. It would be with transport staff, a doctor and two nurses and he was kept in light sedation to keep his pain manageable while they moved him.

They were met in the Kingsman hangar by Merlin. He didn't offer any words, just stood by Harry's sleeping form for a while and then left with an instruction to settle him in medical called back over one shoulder.

When Harry did regain consciousness, it was in the blessedly familiar surrounds of Kingsman medical. He actually sighed with the relief, staring at the ceiling and willing his emotions back under control.

Comments

[fucking_gentleman]

Why hadn't- But no, Charles had told him. Chester betrayed them. Sold him out.

And Eggsy had killed him. Probably with the sleight of hand he was so good at. "... they gave him the name Mordred, didn't they?"

[grailknight]

Charles nodded. "As is our tradition, but I can see that changing. We have open seats and are dealing anything but usual circumstances."

[fucking_gentleman]

"It's completely inappropriate. Table a motion for me, he deserves a better designation. Gawain, perhaps." Or, if he couldn't get back into the field, he wanted to hand his own title to his protege.

[grailknight]

"Not completely. That is also the only way a non-knight can receive a designation." He shook his head. "There aren't enough active knights who can come to vote."

[fucking_gentleman]

"Then make an executive call as the effective Arthur. He's proved his place among us." Yes, Harry was getting upset again. He knew he was, but he couldn't stop it from happening.

[grailknight]

"I already have him as an auxiliary knight, but you and I both know that is the best I can do at the time being."

[fucking_gentleman]

Harry glowered, the effect somewhat lost by the fact he was stuck in a bed and unable to move himself around at this stage.

"He deserves better."

[grailknight]

"Yes, and he will receive better, but I cannot simply make something that is outside my power to do so."

[fucking_gentleman]

Harry's glare suggested if it really wasn't, it should be, and why hadn't that been changed already?

"Fine."

[grailknight]

Charles glared right back at him. "I am taking the needed steps for a stronger foundation."

[fucking_gentleman]

"I know." It didn't really soften the glare. "Go away. I want to be irrationally angry and petty and I don't want to take it out on you."

[grailknight]

"I would rather you didn't either." He set the tablet down by Harry. "It is just as well. I should attend to other work too." The glare was gone and his normal calm demeanour back in place. "Have a good afternoon, Harry." Charles made his way out.

[fucking_gentleman]

Harry watched Charles go and then settled in being into a really bad mood for a while.

Which he was. Spectacularly so. Until he finally wore himself out between that and pushing himself too hard and fast and fell asleep again.

Merlin sent Charles a message around two in the afternoon, suggesting Harry could do with feeding.

[grailknight]

Charles wrinkled his nose but then went to the kitchen to get something prepared. At least Harry could handle solid food. It wasn't anything special, sandwich, side salad, and pudding, plus tea.

He came in with the fare. He could have subjected an underling to Harry, but until he got Galahad in a more agreeable mood, he did not see that as a good idea.

"I have returned."

[fucking_gentleman]

Harry had improved his mood by taking it out on one of his doctors and then sleeping until the worst had passed.

He was looking less pissy, almost relaxed and a little boyish with his ruffled hair and the soft lighting which didn't upset his currently sensitive optic nerves. He looked over as the door opened, clearly a touch surprised.

"So you have. With food even. Is that for me?"

[grailknight]

"Yes it certainly is. I eat something earlier." Dark chocolate espresso beans and a tuna fish sandwich as an afterthought.

Charles brought the tray over. "How are you feeling? Get some of that agitation out of your system?"

[fucking_gentleman]

"Actual food, or coffee and sugar?" Because they were all guilty of that sometimes.

He fidgeted to sit himself up more. "Better. A bit of a tantrum and some sleep works wonders. Though I daresay that Bran won't be talking to me for a couple of days after the things I said to him. But really, don't ask stupid questions like 'how do we feel today?' or 'I suppose that eye must be giving you some discomfort' to someone in my situation."

[grailknight]

"Actual food. Coffee would not be adequate."

Charles laughed. "The poor man is trying, Harry." Setting the tray down, he gave Harry a chance to survey it. "I am getting the impression that I have been volunteered to tend to you."

[fucking_gentleman]

"I'm less inclined to tear you to pieces because you don't aggravate me with obvious idiocy, pandering and platitudes."

Harry poked at a few things and then honed in on the tea, because that was easy and soothing.

[grailknight]

"You couldn't possibly. I don't find you the least bit intimidating. But as for the doctors and other members of personnel, well, their reactions speak for themselves."

[fucking_gentleman]

Harry hummed. He was fairly sure he could tear Charles apart, if he felt inclined, but he was nothing like that cruel, especially not to a friend. He picked up the fork and started to pick at the salad.

"I was unhappy."

[grailknight]

"It seems that your mood has improved." Charles raised an eyesbrow. "Besides the tablet, is there anything that you would like to have with you?"

[fucking_gentleman]

"Significantly." He picked at the food, only a little hungry thanks to the copious amounts of medications they were still pouring into him. "Just what I listed earlier. I have some novels I might as well catch up on between bouts of wearing myself out with ill advised physio."

[grailknight]

His lips twitched into a partial smile. "What's wrong with the physio?"

[fucking_gentleman]

"Galahad, I understand your'e eager to recover, but can we really run before we can walk?" Which would be another reason why Harry had taken strips off Bran. "Left and arm lifts are hardly excessive."