Kingsman: The Mushy Pea

Fish and Chips

It's not every day that all Kingsman agents are sent out on missions, there are days when you just have to clock in, do a bit of office work, and clock out as if working a normal day job.

There were even times when you tried to pretend to be an actual tailor and hang around the shop, but in reality, you were checking out the fabrics you want for your next suit. By the third time you did it, the tailors knew what you were up to, but they didn't say a word, maybe they loved having you around.

Sometimes, you'd even pop by Merlin's office and annoy the hell out of that Scotsman until he kicks you out, or be a useful side-kick and help him oversee a mission.

Most days like this seem slow when you're used to all the action out on the field. It is kind of boring waiting around for something to blow up or a terrorist to come out of hiding and the sorts.

The highlight of a normal day at Kingsman is eating lunch together with the other agents. Sharing a meal, exchanging stories that aren't classified, and chatting about current events give everyone a sense of normalcy in this otherwise extraordinary line of work. Though the discussions are usually centered on Eggsy's antics and embarrassing moments, because, well, he's always the first one brave enough to share his mishaps.

Today's lunch was fish and chips. Roxy was out on a mission, so it was just you, Eggsy, Percival, and Harry at the table. You often take a seat between Eggsy and Roxy, across from the senior agents. It wasn't intentional, there are no factions, you all just kind of got used to this seating arrangement.

Once the food was served, everyone started digging in. It could be the gloomy weather, or they went on a sparring session at the gym because no one hasn't said a word yet.

Harry was sitting across from you, gulping down his plate. A perfectly-dressed man, posh and all, eating as if his life depends on finishing everything on his plate.

After a few spoonful, you looked at him and noticed something. It took you a while, but a wide grin spread across your face when you figured out what it was.

You broke the silence by laughing at Harry.

Of course, he looked at you and raised his eyebrows.

This caught Eggsy and Percival's attention, they looked at you, puzzled. When your laugh finally died down, you pointed out that there was a mushy pea perched on the brim of Harry's spectacles. And they laughed at it too.

Harry Hart, the epitome of a perfect gentleman, a messy eater.

Who would have ever thought?

Despite being the center of attention, he smiled at you. Suddenly, he felt like butterflies were fluttering inside his stomach.

As someone who once aspired to be a lepidopterist, he knew that it was impossible, but he was sure that what he felt at that moment was real.

He shrugged, "I eat like a warthog." And then he laughed along with the group.

Harry took off his glasses to remove the mushy pea and smiled again at you.

You turned back at your plate, as did the others. Harry then went on to explain how he is used to inhaling his food because, for him, he could taste it better that way rather than eating it slowly.

You laughed, "isn't that the opposite of how our sense of taste works?"

He just chuckled in response.

Harry suddenly felt tongue-tied. It was at that moment that he knew that all he wanted to do is to make you laugh, so he could hear it over and over again, and to make you happy, for the rest of his life.

And that's what he set on to do.