Manners || Eggsy Unwin

One

Harry Hart, code name Galahad, paused as he unlocked the door of his London townhouse. Music was audible from inside. Loud bass vibrating the walls. It was barely discernible, but Harry was specially trained to notice such differences. He took a step back and glanced over the house again. No signs of a break in or anything unusual, which meant that whoever was playing the music had to have a key and be able to bypass all the security measures. Now, only a select few had access to the house. Merlin and Arthur as well as a few agents from Kingsman, and a maid who cleaned twice a week.

Harry sighed, resigning himself to dealing with whoever was inside, and pushed the door open. He went through his usual routine of hanging up his jacket and blazer. Making sure the fabric wouldn't wrinkle as he rolled up his shirt sleeves and loosened his tie. The music was almost ear-splittingly loud. Heavy rap pounding round the rooms. Some female voice speaking about Mints. Harry frowned at the lyrics and strode into the living room. His posture relaxing as he realised who it was. Only one person had such terrible music taste.

He paused in the doorway, taking in the scene before him. All furniture had been moved back to the walls to leave the carpet mostly bare. A big boxy black speaker was on the coffee table. The whole thing practically vibrating off the surface with the sound. Neil Draven was in the centre of the floor. His limbs moving in wild jerky motions that might be called dancing. It mostly looked like a octopus having a seizure. Harry pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply. He crossed the room and turned off the music. Silence fell so abruptly that it was almost painful.

"Hey", Neil blinked and turned to scowl at him. "I was enjoying that".

"It was a godforsaken racket", Harry muttered as he looked the boy over. Neil wasn't a boy, but he looked like one. The twenty five year old was about 5'8 with pixie-like features. A pointed nose, white blonde hair and big green eyes. A face that, when used correctly and combined with make up, helped him pass as teenager. Neil was also skinny. His lack of eye catching height and swimmer build made him seem smaller than he actually was. It was surprising how strong he looked when out of his slim cut suits. This was the case here. His baggy tshirt and grey jogging bottoms made him look like some reckless youth. Harry knew better.

"I was having a dance party", Neil complained. He pushed a errant blonde strand from his eyes. Hair a silver coloured blonde and as wild as a bracken bush off the moors.

"Did this dance party have to be in my house", Harry asked pointedly. "And weren't you in Singapore yesterday?"

"I was", Neil shrugged. "I finished the mission two weeks ago but got into a little accident and Arthur ordered me back here. I only got out of the plane a flew hours ago".

"And you couldn't go to your own house?" Harry knew that Neil had a residence in Camden but had never actually been there. For some reason, Neil always come to his.

"I share it with my cousin and she is currently visiting the uk as part of work. Won't be leaving until tomorrow morning, also it's been cleaned". Neil waved a hand. "You know, all the secret walls cleared out and all the gadgets taken away. Also, Merlin wants someone on call just in case and you have two perfectly sized guest rooms".

Harry gave Neil a once over again. His first glance hadn't picked up anything wrong but Neil was trained to hide injuries. It would have to be serious for Arthur to have pulled him home. "I gather this was a serious accident?" He remarked dryly. "The type of accident that should not be involved in a dance party?"

Neil winced. "I was stressed and dancing is my only non lethal thing that I enjoy. Also I've been sat still for days. It was only a little bleeding".

"Neil", Harry sighed. Briefly wondering why he had become the younger agent's go to superior. Well, Lancelot was busy and he was the next best thing. "What was the injury?"

Neil mumbled something. Harry coughed and the blonde rolled his eyes. "I got a little stabbed".

"Stabbed?"

"A little stabbed, in a major artery. Might have almost bled out before I got the hospital. Also coded in the operating table. No big deal".

Harry sighed and mentally asked the heavens for strength. "Where did you get stabbed? And by who?"

"Chill. The guys dead. And it was once in the inner thigh.... and twice in the chest". The last part was spoken with a little hesitation.

"Jesus Christ Neil", Harry place his palms on his forehead. He needed a drink. "Did Merlin at lest clear you for walking?"

"I travelled here, did I not?"

Harry sighed again. "You can have the third room. You know where to find it". The young man grinned and strode off towards the stairs. Harry looked around at the moved furniture and mentally groaned. He would have to move it all back by himself.

The sofa was heavier than he expected. He wondered how on earth Neil had moved it in the first place with his injuries. If he had torn his stitches then Merlin wouldn't be pleased. Harry didn't want a lecture from the Scotsman. He had earned enough of them over the years. Quite a few of them having been Neil's fault. (The boy has been a handful ever since he joined five years ago). He was just picking up the coffee table and setting it back down in its original position when the phone rang. It wasn't the house phone. No, it was the private line which was only connected to Kingsman headquarters. Harry was just moving towards the receiver downstairs when the noise stopped. Neil must have answered the one in the study.

Harry sighed for what must have been the millionth time that night, and abandoned the rest of the furniture as he walked into the hallway. The sounds of pacing footsteps as audible on the landing as he began to ascend the stairs. Neil was in his study. The door to his study was open. Neil leaning back against the desk with the phone to his ear. His face was in business mode, features set coldly as he listened to the voice. The expression making him look his actual age, despite his lazy clothes. Harry could tell as soon as Neil's expression sharpened, that something bad had been said.

"Thank you for informing me Merlin", he replied. "I will tell Harry. I assume the others know? Ah. Alright, we shall see you in the morning at the tailors. When do we need to bring candidates? Alright. Thank you. Bye Merlin". The phone clicked as he placed it down. The call cut off.

"Bad news I take it?" Harry voiced. He could feel a tendril of apprehension in his gut.

Neil blinked and raised a hand to run his fingers through his floppy hair. "Lancelot is dead Harry. Killed in action. We are due to meet Arthur in the morning at ten". He broke off and closed his eyes for a second and Harry felt a weight on his shoulders. Another friend gone.

Neil leaned back against the desk and regarded his fellow agent with a considering look. His emotions now controlled and pushed back. Duty first. "Do you have any thoughts on who you wish to offer as a candidate?"

"Yes", Harry hummed. "I have someone in mind. A lad with promise".

"That's good", Neil's lips quirked slightly. "I have someone in mind too".

Unedited