Chapter Text
“You can make that jump, lad.” Merlin doesn’t even look up from the report he’s reading. “In your sleep.”
“I know you love me, Merlin, but I didn’t know you thought I was Superman.” Merlin can almost see the cheeky grin accompanying the words, the grin that he absolutely adores. “You think I can leap tall buildings in a single bound, then?”
“I know your ego probably could,” Merlin snaps. “Focus, Gareth. Jump to the next roof and you can get down through the door in the corner.”
“If it’s so easy, I’d like to see your ancient arse try and do it.”
“I never said it was easy, and there’s a lot my “ancient arse” can do that you’re completely unaware of.” Merlin’s tone is bored, although he smiles with fondness as he watches the feed through his young knight’s glasses. “That’s a skip in the park for you. Your contact is waiting at the café on the corner. He’s wearing a red tie and purple pocket square.”
“Ghastly,” Eggsy drones in a posh tone. “Can’t miss that. All right, then.”
“I’ll expect to hear from you once you’ve made the exchange.”
“Copy. And I expect to hear pride in your voice when your boy completes a dangerous mission yet again with not a scratch on him.”
Merlin’s heart aches a bit at the thought of Eggsy being “his boy.” He clears his throat. “You coming home without injury twice in six months is not cause for a victory parade, Gareth. And if you don’t get to the contact shortly, you’ll be hearing something else in my voice.”
“Roger that, mon capitaine,” Eggsy says smugly, and Merlin sees his fingers come up in a salute. He breaks into a run and everything is suddenly a blur. Merlin catches the moment when Eggsy flies through the air between the rooftops, and Merlin realizes he’s holding his breath. He lets the air go when Eggsy’s feet hit the ground with a satisfying thud.
“Told you,” Merlin says briefly.
“Yeah, why don’t you shut the…” Merlin sits up straight when he hear the gunshot, and stands when he hears Eggsy swear. Eggsy falls to the ground and hides behind an airshaft, shooting around it and swearing some more.
“Report, Gareth.” Merlin orders his voice to stay calm.
“In a mo, bruv. Impolite to ignore one’s company, and there are a lotta fucking guests up here.”
“Galahad, change of plan.” Merlin’s fingers fly over his keyboard. “Emergency extraction for Gareth. Lancelot, you’ll have to meet our compatriot at the café and keep him there until we can get the microchip to him.”
“Understood,” Harry says.
“On my way,” Roxy adds.
Merlin swallows hard as someone gets in Eggsy’s face. The gunshots have stopped, but someone has him by the front of his jacket and is wrestling with him. Something shines in the sunlight and Merlin realizes it’s a knife. The man has his hands around Eggsy’s throat, choking him while simultaneously banging his head on the ground. Eggsy cries out in pain and then Merlin hears his heels click together. The man groans and rolls away and Eggsy pulls himself up to a seated position, leaning against the airshaft. “Gareth…report. That’s an order.” Merlin absolutely forces his voice to stop shaking.
“Well, I…politely asked the company to leave, and they finally got the message. Five, maybe six?”
“I’m sorry, lad. I didn’t…”
“Fuck, Merlin…not your fault…we should all know by now that there’s never just one bad guy…” Eggsy coughs.
“What’s your status?”
“Gunshot, outside right leg, suit didn’t deflect it like I thought it would…knife wound…Jesus, that’s a lotta blood.”
Merlin closes his eyes. “Can you get your tie…”
“Already done, mate. Don’t understand how…seeing blood in my eyes…” A hand comes up and wipes. “Oh…forehead’s gashed pretty good.”
“Cuts on the head bleed like hell,” Merlin agrees.
“Head hurts…think he mighta knocked loose the few brain cells I got.” Eggsy snickers.
“Galahad’s on his way, Gareth,” Merlin says, keeping his voice firm. He can have a meltdown later. He can see through Eggsy’s glasses that the gash to his leg has hit very close to the artery.
“Fuck, not Harry! Don’t need a lecture on keeping my suit clean.” Eggsy reaches down to toy with the shredded fabric of his trouser leg and Merlin notices his hand is shaking badly.
“You have my permission to kick him in the bollocks if he says one word about your suit.”
“Thanks, Merlin.” Eggsy’s head falls back. “Hurts, Merlin.”
“Stay awake, lad. Harry will be there soon.” The feed starts to shake and Merlin realizes Eggsy’s shivering. “Cold?”
“A little.”
“I’m sorry I told you to jump, Gareth.”
“Don’t always hafta listen to you, do I?”
“Well, technically, yes, on a mission.”
Eggsy chuckles weakly. “Like your voice in my ear, Merlin. Could listen to you all day.”
“You say the sweetest things.” Merlin forces sarcasm into his tone and tries to ignore the way his staff is staring at him. No one knows about Merlin’s secret love for this beautiful man, and he’s going to keep it that way.
“The accent…never thought Scots were sexy.”
“I find that hard to believe, Gareth. Karen Gillan? Kelly Macdonald?”
“Nah…” Eggsy coughs a bit. “Maybe James McAvoy…fuck, Gerard Butler, he’s sexy as hell…could listen to him read the weather…David Tennant. Best Doctor…”
“You and I will have to have a conversation about THAT one, lad. Eccleston beats Tennant any day.” Merlin presses his legs together. This is not the time to be excited over the fact that Eggsy admits to thinking men are sexy.
“Hope we can,” Eggsy whispers.
“Galahad, ETA!” Merlin barks, flipping over to Harry’s comm.
“Six minutes at the most. Traffic in the square.”
“Fuck,” he growls, flipping back to Eggsy. “Stay with me. Galahad’s right around the corner.”
“Been stabbed dozens of times, Merlin. Never hurt this bad.”
“Inside of the thigh is a tender place.”
“Always has been for me,” Eggsy says dreamily. “Favorite place for kisses.”
“Duly noted, Gareth. I’m sure the transcribers will love having that bit of information.”
“Just for you, Merlin,” Eggsy says and manages a laugh. “Keep talking. Tell me something. You like John Denver. Why?”
“Why not?”
“His music is just so…American. So corny. Sings about being a country boy and all that.”
“That’s not all he sings. He has beautiful love songs as well.”
“Love songs?” Eggsy’s voice is barely a whisper.
“Wake up, Gareth. That is an order. You’ll not fall asleep until medical checks you out,” Merlin snaps. “Don’t make me punish you.”
“Don’t…threaten me with…a good time, guv.”
“Don’t call me guv.”
“Tell me about the love song…”
“Wrote it to his wife. Way before you were born.”
“Sing…”
Merlin blinks. “Sing?”
“Sing to me…want the last thing I hear…”
“Shut your mouth, Gareth,” Merlin almost yells. His staff have given up all pretense of working and are watching him. He takes a deep breath and begins to quietly sing. “You fill up my senses…like a night in a forest…like the mountains in springtime…like a walk in the rain…like a storm in the desert…like a sleepy blue ocean…”
“On site, Merlin, heading up to the roof now.”
Merlin stops singing. “Gareth, do you hear me? Gareth.”
“You stopped.”
“Galahad’s on his way up to you. With those long legs of his, he’ll reach you in no time. He’ll assess your situation and advise me on the best way to get you out.”
“Thanks…mate.”
“Galahad?”
“On the roof now.” Merlin switches to Harry’s feed and almost wishes he hadn’t. Harry falls to his knees next to Eggsy. “Christ,” he whispers, and Merlin echoes the sentiment. Blood is streaming down Eggsy’s face from the cut on his forehead. There’s a small amount of blood on the outside of his right leg; the bullet only grazed the skin, apparently. Merlin makes a note to speak with whomever made Eggsy’s suit. It obviously did not do its job. The inside of Eggsy’s left thigh is drenched with blood, even with his tie acting as a tourniquet. “Gareth…Gareth…Eggsy, my boy, open your eyes.” Harry gently slaps Eggsy’s cheek.
“Wrong voice…”
“I don’t know that I should try and carry him down, Merlin.”
Merlin works his magic. “Chopper will be there shortly.” He sighs. “Hang in there, lad.”
Merlin paces the hallway in the medical wing, trying to act like he has a reason to be there other than concern for Eggsy. He smiles at any employee he sees and tries to act casual as he leans against a wall and pokes at his clipboard. Of course he can see everything they’re doing; he could see it from his office. But his office is too far away.
“Ian.” Merlin looks up and growls. “Yes, I’m going to call you Ian, you bastard. What are you doing?”
“Working.” He holds the clipboard up.
“In the medical bay?” Harry raises an eyebrow.
“Good job getting Gareth out of there.”
“I always do a good job.” Harry straightens his cuffs and touches the knot of his tie.
“Peacock.”
“He’ll be fine. Lost a lot of blood, chance of a concussion, but he’ll be fine.”
“I know all that.” Merlin points to his eyes. “Know all, see all, remember?”
“I remember. I don’t remember you ever being this concerned about an agent before.”
“I’m concerned about ALL my agents,” Merlin snaps. “Why are you down here?”
Harry smiles. “I’m concerned about him as well, Merlin. Not like you, of course. He’s only my protégé. He’s your…” Merlin stares at him, face devoid of all expression. “Your crush.”
“To use his words, you’re mental, Harry.”
“I’m the person who has known you the longest outside your own family. I know all your tells.” Harry studies him carefully. “And your face is telling me you care for the boy as more than an agent.” Harry’s smile is warmer, friendlier. “And there is nothing wrong with that. I know you’ve made a list of all the reasons why there’s something wrong with it, but there really isn’t. You’re not his boss. He’s a legal adult, even if he’s quite a bit younger than you are. In our line of work, can one really linger over something that idiotic? You’re attractive, even for a man of your…advanced age.”
“Fuck off.”
“You’re generous, you’re caring, you’re brilliant. Absolutely no reason for you not to shag him silly.” Harry claps him on the shoulder. “Oh, and by the way? He likes men. A LOT.”
“And you know this how?”
“Part of my mentoring program. Chapter on seduction techniques. Let’s just say I really didn’t need to seduce him, and his technique is very VERY good.” Merlin growls again. “All for the sake of the job, Ian. He’s not interested in me as more than a coworker, friend, and mentor. I promise on my life.”
“If I found out you did anything to hurt him, your life won’t be worth much.”
“Ian, calm down.” Harry surprises him by hugging him. “Spent most of the time we had together asking questions about you, now, didn’t he?”
Eggsy feels a pounding in his head, an ache in his thigh, and general throbs of pain all at once. He swallows and it feels like a rock is trying to force its way down his throat. His eyes slowly flutter open, and he realizes they’re the one thing that doesn’t hurt. He hears a constant tapping sound and tries to look to the sound but it’s past his peripheral vision. He slowly turns his head and groans as it shoots fire up his neck.
He sees Merlin look up from his tablet, eyes widening. “Hello, Gareth.” Merlin moves from his chair in the corner to a chair next to the bed. He reaches for Eggsy’s hand but pulls back at the last minute.
“Thanks. I’d shake your hand, but I think I’d probably pass out,” Eggsy says softly. He desperately wishes Merlin would touch him, a thought he’s been having more frequently of late.
“How are you, lad?”
“Didya get the number of the truck that hit me?”
“I’d say you took care of it. Nice move…poison blade to the buttocks.”
“I’m nothing if not classy.” Eggsy’s lips are dry and he smacks them together.
“Here.” Merlin hands him a cup with a straw. “Slow. Not too much right away.”
“Thanks, Da.” He frowns when Merlin doesn’t smile. “What’re you doing here? Ready to give me the riot act on how I fucked up and got m’self shot, stabbed, and generally done over?”
“Of course not. I’m not your boss.” Merlin’s tone is brusque but his eyes are soft. “I also would never fault you for getting injured like this.”
“Guess I’m not getting my victory parade.”
Merlin smiles. “Guess not.” He gives Eggsy more water. “To answer your question, I had some free time, and thought I would just sit with you. I hope that’s all right.”
“Of course it is. Thought you was Harry at first.”
“Ah. Right.” Merlin starts fussing with Eggsy’s bedcovers.
“He likes to rub it in when I’m in hospital. You beat him to it. Gotta say, happier to see you.”
“Oh.” Merlin actually turns pink around the ears. Interesting. “Glad I could be of service.” He reaches up to touch Eggsy’s forehead and winces a bit.
“How bad is it?” He grabs Merlin’s hand and holds it. “Seriously, bruv.”
Merlin squeezes Eggsy’s hand and continues to hold it. “Could have been worse.” Eggsy makes a face. “Stitches in your forehead, quite a few lumps on the back of your head. They had you on concussion watch but that’s been lifted. Some bruising around your neck from where that fucking prick tried to choke you.”
“Aw, Merlin, the pretty things you say,” Eggsy says, trying to sound coy but feeling foolish as his voice rasps.
“The bullet barely grazed your leg. I’ll be talking with the shop about that…it shouldn’t have done anything at all. But you’ll have a pretty scar to brag to the ladies about.”
“Won’t be doing much bragging. Not to the ladies, anyway.” Eggsy suddenly feels uncomfortable. He considers Merlin a friend and is interested in him as much more, but they’ve never sat down and discussed their romantic lives.
“Yes. Uh, Harry might have mentioned something about that. My apologies.” Merlin’s full out blushing now. He seems to realize he’s still holding Eggsy’s hand and slowly pulls away.
“You and Harry was discussin’ me?” Eggsy tries not to sound too pleased.
Merlin ignores him. “The stab wound to the thigh came very close to the femoral artery. A few centimeters closer and you could have bled out.” Merlin’s hazel eyes flutter shut for the briefest of moments.
“A cut to a major artery can cause death in six minutes if not properly stopped,” Eggsy chants. Merlin gives him an odd look. “Sorry. One of the few things I remember from the Marines.”
“Well, it looks like you’re on the mend.”
“Thanks, Merlin.” Eggsy decides to hell with it and grabs Merlin’s hand again. “You talking to me…singing…helped me while I waited for Harry. I was scared to fucking death, not gonna lie.”
“Of course, lad. That’s my job.”
“Right. Your job.” Eggsy nods and immediately regrets it.
“But I wasn’t going to leave you until you were safe,” Merlin adds quietly and Eggsy smiles at him. Merlin seems taken aback by the smile and now it’s Eggsy’s turn to blush.
“You sing real good, you know. Didn’t expect that.”
“I am a man of many talents,” Merlin says and Eggsy laughs. He then groans and Merlin looks alarmed.
“Don’t worry. Just hurts when I…live.”
“Well, they’ll be coming along to give you pain medicine soon, I’m sure. I’ll let you rest.” He stands.
“Do…do you hafta go? Like right now? Can…can you stay a bit?” Eggsy bites his bottom lip.
“Of course, lad.” Merlin sits back down. He taps at his clipboard. “I’m sure if I scroll through You Tube enough, I could find video of Gerard Butler reading the weather…”
“Fuck off,” Eggsy says with a grin. “How about I give you my report on the mission? Don’t got nothing else to do…Arthur will expect it sooner or later anyway. My voice ain’t as nice as yours, though.”
“The way it sounded for a moment on that rooftop, Eggsy…I wasn’t sure I was going to be hearing it for much longer. So talk as long as you’d like, or as long as you can.” Merlin gives him more water.
“Thanks.” They look at each other for a moment and then Eggsy starts his report.
The nurse comes in with pain medication just as Eggsy’s finishing his report. “Good, lad, now you can rest.” Merlin stands and moves out of her way.
“How long do I gotta be on that?” Eggsy frowns as he looks at the nurse. “Can handle it.”
“You have a serious stab wound to the thigh, Agent Gareth. This will help you sleep tonight.”
“Tonight, then, but that’s it.” His eyes are full of shame as he looks as Merlin. “I…I had a problem with pills before. Don’t like ‘em if I don’t need ‘em.”
“I believe that’s probably in your medical file, Gareth, but I’ll mention it to the doctor. Perhaps he can prescribe something that’s not a strong narcotic.” Merlin pats his shoulder.
The nurse adjusts Eggsy’s bed and leaves the room. Before Merlin can say anything else, Harry appears in the door. “Well, Eggsy, how are you?”
“Harry.” Eggsy beams at him and Merlin frowns. “Bout time you got here.”
“I figured I’d let Merlin be the man at your bedside for a while,” Harry drawls, and Merlin glares at him. Harry takes Merlin’s seat.
“I’ll leave you two alone, then.” Merlin looks down at Eggsy. “Rest, lad.”
“Merlin, thank you. Thank you for today, thank you for sittin’ with me.”
“Any time, my boy.” The phrase slips out before he can stop it and Merlin’s mortified. Harry looks amused. Eggsy, surprisingly, looks pleased.
“Will you come back tomorrow? If you ain’t too busy? They said they was keepin’ me a few days.”
“If you’d like, of course I’ll come down.”
“Good.”
“Maybe if you’re lucky, Merlin will read you one of the exciting novels he’s been reading. What is it this week?” Harry asks.
Merlin glares. “At least I read the books in my library, unlike you, who only have them to make yourself LOOK well-read. I’m reading Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy.”
“You can read to me if you want,” Eggsy says. He shrugs and groans.
“Stay still and rest, or you’ll be stuck on missions guarding the Prince of Wales’ arse for the rest of your career,” Merlin says sternly.
“Yes, sir.” Eggsy smiles innocently and Merlin feels his heart melt.
“Good night, Eggsy. Harry,” he snarls before leaving the room.
Harry comes to find him an hour later as he’s working in his office. “Merlin…please tell me you see it.”
“See what? The pompous arse in front of me who has five new grey hairs on his temple?”
Merlin’s rewarded when Harry reaches up to touch his temple before he realizes what he’s doing. “You see that the boy has no interest in me, correct? I’m like a father figure to him. Nothing more.”
“I have no clue what you’re talking about, Harry. Ah.” Merlin clicks a few buttons. “Looks like I might have reason to send you to Brussels next week.”
“Merlin. You care for Eggsy. He cares for you. I refuse to speak like a teenager and say you “like” each other, because it’s more than that. Say something.”
“There’s nothing to say, Harry. You were right when you called him a boy. I own jumpers older than him.”
“That doesn’t matter. He’s lived a life quite unlike most young men his age. In many ways he’s as old as you or I.” Merlin doesn’t say anything. “Merlin…”
“Harry…don’t you have better things to do?”
“Better than watching my best friend pine over one of the nicest men I’ve ever met? Yes, I do have something better to do. And I’m doing it right now. SAY something or I will.”
“NO, you will not. I appreciate your concern, Harry, but…it’s not going to happen.” Merlin sighs and turns back to his computer. “Please just go away.”
The next morning Merlin holds off until ten o’clock. He finds things to do, even straightens the lab, before he finally gives in and wanders down to Medical, book in hand. Eggsy’s eyes are closed so Merlin tiptoes into the room. They open instantly when Merlin sits by the bed. “Merlin!” Eggsy struggles to sit up. “Thought you wasn’t coming.”
“I’m sorry, lad. I had some things to attend to. Don’t…relax.” Merlin presses him back with a hand to the chest. “Let me adjust the bed.” He pushes the button until Eggsy’s in a seated position. “How’s that?”
“Fine.” Eggsy tenderly prods at his head. “Was gonna ask for a comb or something, but I think even combing my hair will hurt.”
“You look fine, Eggsy,” Merlin says gently. “How did you sleep?”
“Fine, thanks to the meds. Still feel like something ran me over. Woke up at seven, tried to stay awake for you.”
“I’m sorry,” Merlin says again. “If I’d had known you were waiting for me…but you probably needed the rest.”
“Zat your book, the one you was talking about yesterday?” Merlin nods. “What’s it about?”
“I don’t really need to read it to you. I’m sure you wouldn’t be interested, it would bore you…”
“M’sure you can explain the big words to me,” Eggsy says, sulking. Merlin’s heart breaks.
“No, lad, that’s not what I meant! I just meant it’s a classic…not very thrilling. It’s one of my guilty pleasures, classic literature. My hobbies are a bit eclectic, I’m afraid…classic literature, online poker, trivia night at my local.”
“You like trivia night?” Eggsy’s face lights up. “I fucking LOVE trivia night. Can’t ever go with my mates…” Eggsy blushes a bit. “I…I’m a little more…knowledgeable than they are. Not much fun.”
“Well, when you’re better, you’re welcome to come with me.” The words come out before Merlin can stop them.
“Really? That’d be fucking aces, Merlin. It’s a date, then.” Eggsy looks horrified. “A…a date to hang out, I mean.”
“Right.” Merlin stares at the book in his lap.
“I mean…I’m sure you…you know, have people you go with on the regular.”
“No. I usually go by myself. No one else in my life would enjoy it.”
“I would. I mean it.” Eggsy reaches out and touches his hand. “I understand, you know, not having someone to share things with, the things you like. I’d be happy to go with you.”
“I’d be happy to have you come along. It’s on Wednesdays…I usually am able to make it.”
“Well, once I’m up and about, we’ll go.” Eggsy points to the book. “So…this.”
“Oh. Well, it’s about a young woman who inherits money and a farm. She runs it on her own, which, in this day and time, is very irregular. She meets three men…one of whom loves her from the start and proposes, but she says no. Not because she doesn’t like him, but because she wants to be independent and free, and feels she cannot do that as a wife. And then, of course, there’s high drama, misunderstandings, all sorts of drivel.”
“Where are you at now? Just read from there.”
“I’m at the proposal. I…” Merlin stares at him. “You’re serious.”
“I like your voice in my ear, Merlin. Told you that. Wasn’t lying. I know reading out loud isn’t the most thrilling way to spend a morning, so if you don’t want to…”
“No. I wouldn’t mind in the slightest.” Merlin smiles at him. “But don’t tell anyone. It messes with my reputation as a heartless robot.”
“Cross my heart,” Eggsy says, smiling up at him.
Merlin clears his throat. “Why won’t you have me?” He appealed, creeping round the holly to reach her side. “I cannot,” she said, retreating. “But why,” he persisted, standing still at last in despair of ever reaching her, and racing over the bush. “Because I don’t love you.” "Yes, but — — " She contracted a yawn to an inoffensive smallness, so that it was hardly ill-mannered at all. "I don't love you." she said." "But I love you — and, as for myself, I am content to be liked." "Oh Mr. Oak — that's very fine! You'd get to despise me." "Never." said Mr. Oak, so earnestly that he seemed to be coming, by the force of his words, straight through the bush and into her arms. "I shall do one thing in this life — one thing certain — that is, love you, and long for you, and keep wanting you till I die." His voice had a genuine pathos now, and his large brown hands perceptibly trembled. "It seems dreadfully wrong not to have you when you feel so much!" she said with a little distress, and looking hopelessly around for some means of escape from her moral dilemma. "How I wish I hadn't run after you!" However she seemed to have a short cut for getting back to cheerfulness, and set her face to signify archness. "It wouldn't do, M.r Oak. I want somebody to tame me; I am too independent; and you would never be able to, I know." Merlin looked up at Eggsy, assuming he’d be asleep again.
“Okay, that’s amazing. I mean, it’s romantic and sexy and frustrating all at once, innit?”
Merlin marks his place with his finger. “Explain.”
“Romantic, of course…who don’t wanna hear someone say they’ll love you, long for you, and want you til they die? Frustrating, because who can say NO to that? I mean, who gets to hear that every day? No one, that’s who.”
“I agree with all of that. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen it as sexy, though.”
Eggsy blushes. “Well, maybe that’s just me, then. The part about wanting someone to tame her…hit me hard.” He shrugs. “Kink of mine, I guess. Plus it’s you reading…told you I liked your voice.”
“I think this medication should be checked. This isn’t the normal cheeky Eggsy Unwin I’ve grown to know.”
“Never really been much one-on-one with us, has there?”
Merlin blinks and realizes it’s true. They’ve spent very little time together one-on-one outside of work. “I suppose not.”
“I didn’t know you played trivia in pubs. Bet you didn’t know I volunteer at Daisy’s school in my free time.”
“No, I didn’t,” Merlin said in surprise.
“I help in the classroom, clean up for the teachers, sometimes I lead games. Even help some kids with reading. Don’t get to do it much, but I like to help.”
“I’m not surprised,” Merlin says sincerely. Eggsy’s one of the most generous people he’s ever met.
“Play footie on the weekends if I get the chance. Great league in town…you play?”
“I do,” Merlin admits.
“Christ, of course you do! Long legs like yours?”
“You’ve never seen me without trousers. I mean, in shorts,” Merlin corrects quickly. “I have bird legs.”
“Don’t matter as long as you can run fast,” Eggsy points out. “I’d like to see you in shorts, though.”
Merlin waits for another smart remark but it doesn’t come. Eggsy studies his hands. “I suppose I thought you were quite social in your free time. Young, good-looking lad like you. I supposed you’d be out at a club, or perhaps spending time with Roxy.”
“Roxy’s my mate, one of my best mates,” Eggsy says quickly. “But she’s like a sis to me, that’s all. I used to go to clubs…lotsa stuff ‘round there I don’t wanna get into. Not worth it. I’m mostly a homebody, if I ain’t with mum and Daisy.” He looks up at Merlin with a shy smile. “You…you think I’m good-looking?”
“You know you are. You’ve never had a problem getting someone’s attention on a mission.”
“That’s on a mission.” Eggsy shrugs. “Can’t ever get the ones I want, really. Course, I usually shoot way outta my league.”
“What’s your league?” Merlin says before he thinks, and Christ, this visit’s gone down a path he didn’t know existed.
Eggsy clears his throat. “Uh, well, usually older, fit gents with long legs and a voice that keeps me awake at night.”
Merlin turns red. He can’t keep himself from saying, “So, Harry, then.”
Eggsy actually snorts. “Please, Merlin. The only way Harry’s voice would keep me awake at night is if he was in my nightmares, ordering me about in that snotty tone he has when I don’t do shit right.”
Merlin laughs at the image. “Really, Eggsy, is THAT the fork you’re using to stab that drug dealer?” He asks in an imitation of Harry’s perfect accent.
“My dear boy, I told you, we don’t strangle our enemies with our best silk ties.” Eggsy’s accent is better, and Merlin roars with laughter.
“Please tell me he’s heard you mimic him.” Merlin wipes a tear from his eye.
“Not yet. I value my junk right where it is, thanks.” Eggsy sobers and looks at him. “Merlin, Harry mentioned once…were you a thing?”
“No,” Merlin says immediately. “We were an experiment…one that lasted exactly four days and failed spectacularly. We are only friends, good friends.”
“So…do you…would you…would anyone be mad if I went to trivia night with you?”
“Only Percival, because he’s asked three times and I’d never tell him where I went. He’s the last person I want to spend my free time with.” Eggsy groans in agreement. Merlin decides to dive in. If it blows up in his face, he’s sending Harry to Antarctica. “Do…do you have anyone? That would be angry if you went somewhere with me?”
“No. I don’t have anyone special at all.” Eggsy looks sad at the thought, and Merlin wants to kiss him until he smiles again.
“Well, then I guess you were right. It is a date after all…if you’d like it to be.”
Eggsy’s smile is pleased, the look in his green eyes only defined by the word joyful. “I’d like that very much, Merlin.”