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]

Harry gave a helpless shrug. Relationships changed. it was just what they did with time. From one thing to another, or even changed inside of what they were. "Well, I do plan on becoming the longest lived agent to date. And then, as discussed, I demand to be taxidermied and put in the recruits barracks in a glass case."

[grailknight]

"Excellent. You have my uncle and a few others to best." His uncle was the most recent retiree. "Yes. That idea is disturbing to me. I can imagine what new recruits are going to think."

[fucking_gentleman]

"I have access to far more advanced medical technology and a strong will to live to be old enough to be truly horrifying to young recruits." He gave a smug smile around the next spoonful of caramel custard.

[grailknight]

Charles snorted a laugh. Harry could so often make him forget himself.

[fucking_gentleman]

Harry continued to look smug and slightly innocent. And offered a spoon of the custard to Charles, since he was there.

[grailknight]

"Oh yes please." He took the spoon.

[fucking_gentleman]

As if Charles were the invalid and not himself, he fed him the spoonful. Then had the next for himself.

[grailknight]

Charles partly smiled as leaned closer to take the spoonful Harry had fed him.

[fucking_gentleman]

Harry leaned back into the pillows. The salad, some tea, some custard and he was about done for now. "I think the worst is the constant exhaustion."

[grailknight]

"And you are building your stamina back up. You just did a feat you could have not done when I first came to you in Kentucky."

[fucking_gentleman]

"I know." He intellectually knew. It was still frustrating though. he wanted to be fine again now.

[grailknight]

"Baby steps for the short term at least." Harry had a short supply of patienceand Charles wanted to off-set it. "I am looking forward to when you feel well enough to visit the grounds." Sunshine would do Harry wonders...

[fucking_gentleman]

"I'm aiming for the weekend to be allowed out in a wheelchair. I won't be able to push myself, but there's always recruits I can yell at if you end up on mission."

[grailknight]

Charles nodded and chuckled. "You can always yell at them if I am here. I wouldn't blame you."

[fucking_gentleman]

"Mm. Depends on how frustrating they're being. I'm also taking my gun. I can shoot fine with my left hand." Right eye, left hand, he'd make do.

[grailknight]

"Ah. That is why you were talking about the specifications for a wheelchair." He didn't mind indulging him a little.

[fucking_gentleman]

"Maybe." He tugged the blankets up around himself a bit more. It wasn't that he was cold, per se, but he felt ill at ease a lot of the time. Probably because his body was learning to work again around the damage. Maybe just because he was a lonely old man.

"I'm not sick of this room yet, but it'll happen."

[grailknight]

He hadn't touched Harry very much, which was uncommon for him. He felt safe enough to rub his palm lightly against Harry's shoulder. The man wasn't going to die because he had touched him.

"That is at least hopeful for your recovery."

[fucking_gentleman]

"Yes. Hopeful." He hated recovery, though. He hated hours alone in a bed, unable to do what he wanted. He dropped his head down to Charles' hand, resting his cheek on the knuckles.

[grailknight]

Charles smiled softly and used his other hand to brush his fingers through Harry's hair.

[fucking_gentleman]

He could live with his hair growing out more than he tolerated the imprecise shave of the electric razor. Especially while Charles was willing to do that.

[grailknight]

"It goes without mentioning that I am relieved that you are still alive, but I feel that I should. You are very important to me, Harry."

[fucking_gentleman]

"Thank you." His voice was soft, slightly heavy again. "There are times it feels like a struggle to remember that people would be deeply aggrieved if I died."

[grailknight]

Charles smiled softly. "You have family here. We would be devestated. You have lent so much strength to me since James's passing. You are one of a kind, Harry Hart, and I intend to be seeing you around for a great while yet."

[fucking_gentleman]

"I have spent an ungodly amount of time since James' death being in a come." The one of a kind, he could hardly argue. His family had always prayed not to have another like him.

He didn't lift his head. He wasn't sure he could, so he didn't try.