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]

"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."

[grailknight]

"He was worried you may set your recovery back. Potentially you just might, but maybe you need more." He really wished he had gotten himself a cup of tea too, so he calls for someone to bring him tea.

[fucking_gentleman]

Harry continued picking at the salad while a nurse came and agreed to go and get a proper pot of tea and a second cup. He had finished most of it by the time the pot arrived and put down his fork specifically to wave his cup at Charles for a refill.

"I wonder if I could have a wheelchair with inbuilt firearms."

[grailknight]

"Oh wonderful lady, thank you." He refreshed Harry's cup and then filled his own, adding a few lumps of sugar and a splash of cream.

"Yes, I am confident that it is more than possible."

[fucking_gentleman]

Harry toasted silently with his teacup and sipped it.

"Let me rephrase. I wonder if Merlin would let me have that."

That was distinctly less likely.

[grailknight]

"I will ask Merlin to construct it for you." Merlin would not be able to deny him.

[fucking_gentleman]

Merlin would definitely protest giving Harry a wheelchair with guns, even if Charles asked. Whether he held out or not would be another matter.

"Oh. Reminds me. My Glock, in the concealed panel of my desk, it needs to be brought in. Even if I'm not allowed ammunition, I want to have a chance to clean it properly. "

[grailknight]

"You're ready or that sort of detail work?"

[fucking_gentleman]

"No." Harry could be realistic about it. "But it gives me something clear to aim for with my hand."

[grailknight]

He smiled. "When would you like to be able to do that?"

[fucking_gentleman]

"Today." Realistically... he sighed softly. "Fine... I would like to be able to strip and clean and reassemble a gun within two months."

[grailknight]

"I'll wager that you can do that within one month."

[fucking_gentleman]

"Done." Harry hefted his right hand close Charles. "If you want to shake on it, you're going to have to do the rest."

[grailknight]

"And look, there is already progress." He took Harry's hand and gave it a proper shake. Then Charles clasped his hands around Harry's. "You have already many strides."

[fucking_gentleman]

Harry grumbled slightly, but managed to twitch his fingers in a slight squeeze on Charles' hand. "You mean: Alive, awake, fairly lucid?"

[grailknight]

"Yes among others. You're eating on your own, you can hold a conversation for an hour, and your wittiness has returned."

[fucking_gentleman]

"For now. I'm awake and on minimal medication but once the pain returns, I will resume being a bad tempered, barely cognizant vegetable."

[grailknight]

"Never. You are just going to make more strides in your recovery." And Charles could not be persuaded to see any different.

[fucking_gentleman]

Harry focused trying to move his right hand–and Charles'–up to here he could duck his head to press a chivalric kiss to Charles' knuckles.

[grailknight]

The corner of his mouth twitched into a full and bright smile. The look he gave Harry was filled with love and gratitude.

[fucking_gentleman]

Harry patted Charles' hand with his left one, much more comfortable moving and using that hand. "Now, be a good man and pass that creme caramel over, thank you."

[grailknight]

"Yes, of course." With his left hand he passed it to Harry. Charles's dominant hand was his left, but he was skilled with both

[fucking_gentleman]

Harry's was right, ostensibly, but he'd always been naturally ambidextrous. After this accident, that might have changed but he wasn't willing to give up yet.

He accepted the plate and took his hand back, determined to hold the plate with his right hand while eating with his left.

[grailknight]

Charles picked up his cup of tea. "Am I mistaken, or was your longest time spent in here came at the result of getting blown up in the face by Professor Arnold?"

[fucking_gentleman]

Harry managed to look entirely smug. "Entirely correct. My second longest stay was before you joined us, when we had much more primitive medical care... and support in the field."