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

[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."

[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."