PSL: For Charles

[fucking_gentleman]

It had taken a week to stabilise Harry to the point that he could under go more surgery, to build in the frame work and connections for his new eye. He was fairly out of it for another week after that, between painkillers and recovery.

It was a few days after that that, by the time Charles came down, Harry was sitting on the edge of the bed, a wheelchair sitting nearby and Harry rather insistently trying to get his nurse to let him wear the suit he wanted, rather than the far more relaxed clothing she was insisting on.

"Charles! Help me, Eggsy's on mission or I'd requisition him. I'm not being unreasonable, I'm not even asking for a three piece suit, just being allowed to dress in a manner that I find more comfortable."

Comments

[grailknight]

"Yes and once again you demonstrate how much of a lucky bastard you are."

[fucking_gentleman]

"Mm." He thought about it for a little while. "Charles, do you ever resent that I lived when James died?"

[grailknight]

He didn't need to think about it; he already had an answer. "No. I am angry at James for being foolish and creating a rescue mission of his own without waiting for back up."

[fucking_gentleman]

"All right." Someone else, Harry might have niggled for a real answer, but he trusted Charles to be honest with him.

Harry waved them to a stop outside the bakery. It was damaged. Closed. But he could see recovery effort already moving along nicely.

[grailknight]

"The only thing I resent is myself for not stopping him from leaving. But he didn't tell me about the mission."

Charles looked on at the bakery and smiled softly.

[fucking_gentleman]

"You knew the life you were both living when you got involved." And the risk and likelihood of it ending poorly. Or with at least injury.

He reached up and patted Charles' hand. "I'm being cruel, aren't I?"

[grailknight]

"I do. But after eighteen years, we were comfortable."

Charles smiled and took Harry's hand. "Realistic."

[fucking_gentleman]

"Eighteen- yes, of course it was." Lee's little boy was a Kingsman, but it was still a surprise to realise, at times.

He kept his hand there, holding onto Charles. "A little harsh, maybe."

[grailknight]

"Not long enough. But I don't think James ever planned to retire." Charles had the bar of his great uncle's legacy set for him.

"Nonsense. Never temper yourself to me."

[fucking_gentleman]

"No. I don't think he did." James was always going to die in the job. Though Harry would've bet on his death involving more high rise chases than it had.

"I don't. Observing I'm being a little harsh doesn't mean I'll change. I'm far too old to go changing who I am."

[grailknight]

"When I wouldn't mind dying in my sleep." He sighed. "I wish I had been with him."

He shrugged. "You weren't being harsh."

[fucking_gentleman]

"To save him, or go with him?" He knew Charles wasn't suicidal. That didn't mean he didn't want to have gone with his husband, sometimes.

[grailknight]

"To save him." He frowned. "And I would like to continue living--though there are times I find myself uncomfortable with where my life is. Some times I wonder how to go on."

[fucking_gentleman]

"Go on, in general, or specifically without him?" Harry had never really been seriously involved with anyone. He was married to his work and he had no problems with the deaths, mayhem and property destruction he had caused in the line of that work.

[grailknight]

"That depends on the day. Sometimes both. I generally don't avoid things, but when James is involved, or moving on with my life, sometimes I become paralysed. It's rather odd, but I am sure perfectly normal after losing a loved one."

[fucking_gentleman]

"Probably." Things like refusing to go home to the house you shared and instead just pretending that it's normal to do so. "I wonder if my parents survived V-Day. They've survived not killing each other for sixty years of loveless marriage, I can't imagine V-Day would really end that."

[grailknight]

"Unless V-Day was the catalyst they needed. Maybe you should call them. My mother continues to breathe, sadly."

[fucking_gentleman]

"Eh."

Harry and his family weren't close. He didn't see why flatlining a few times should change that, really.

"Maybe."

[grailknight]

"Or you could investigate. I didn't call my family either but I found that they are still living." Immediate family. Other members were less fortunate. He had a few cousins at Kingsman and one died.

[fucking_gentleman]

"I could ask Merlin to check the records." That was almost the same thing.

[grailknight]

"Yes, I suppose you could. But he would complain about doing it."

[fucking_gentleman]

"He'd complain anyway." He sighed dramatically. "Fine, I'll call my family when we get back and see if they're alive."

[grailknight]

Charles laughed and squeezed Harry on the shoulder. He agreed whole-heartedly. "They probably will be grateful to hear from you."

[fucking_gentleman]

"I don't know who you're trying to supplicate with that lie, because I know full well they won't be happy to hear from me."

[grailknight]

The corner of his mouth twitched. "You never know. Some things changed after V-Day."