Chapter Text
“Great job Lancelot!” Merlin congratulated the agent.
“Percival?” She asked looking back up the corridor.
“Will be joining you shortly, he has 3 – no two attackers left.” Merlin informed her.
She nodded and rushed at the door at the end of the hall. Roxy carefully set to work picking the lock, wishing that she had practiced with Eggsy a bit more in training.
“I still don’t see why we couldn’t just blast the door open.” Harry said impatiently through the coms. She could imagine Harry looming behind Merlin in the control room like a giant bird, both of them on edge with their impatience to get to Eggsy.
“That might alert more staff to our presence. The objective is to get Galahad out safely and quietly not have the whole operation go tits up before they’ve even freed him.” Merlin explained angrily.
By the time Roxy finally popped the lock open Percival had caught up and the two swung open the door, guns drawn and ready.
Luckily there were no guards to be spotted. Unfortunately what they did find was far more upsetting. Eggsy was strung up by his wrists, one of his shoulders clearly out of socket, his body black and blue and smeared with a fair bit of blood. Even more alarming was the smell.
“Oh my god!” Roxy gasped running to support her friend.
She turned towards Percival inadvertently allowing Merlin and Harry to catch Percival’s shocked expression.
“Did you know?” He asked still stunned.
“Know what? What is wrong??” Merlin demanded.
“No. We’ll worry about it later. Help me get him free. We have to get him to the roof.” She insisted.
Once they all had made it into the helicopter and the medics where tending to Eggsy, Merlin turned his attention back to the two agents.
“Lancelot, Percival explain.” He ordered.
Both agents had their eyes fixed on Eggsy. Roxy was staring in deep concern, Eggsy looked as though he had been hit by a bus several times. Percival sat next to her in silent shock.
“Merlin, did you know about Eggsy’s secondary gender?” Roxy asked softly, hoping that Eggsy had told someone, although slightly hurt he hadn’t told her.
“Eggsy is a beta.” Merlin said hesitantly. She could hear him frantically typing.
“It doesn’t seem as if he is Merlin.” Percival piped in.
“What in blazes do you mean?” Harry shouted over Merlin.
“What your agents are trying, and failing to tell you is that judging from his scent, Galahad is an Omega sir.” Lenus, the head medic, informed him.
Harry stood mute at the end of the hospital bed listening to the gentle thrum of hospital equipment. When Eggsy had arrived it had taken 3 doctors 11 hours to get him stable. His young protégé had certainly gotten the worst of it: concussion, four broken ribs, bruised kidneys, dislocated shoulder, shattered knee, infected knife wounds, severe rectal tearing and heavy internal bleeding. If that wasn’t enough to cause alarm, it is revealed that his agent (he recruited him, therefore Eggsy is most certainly his) is and has always been an omega.
He really hadn’t believed it until he smelled the clear sweet scent of an unbonded omega as they rushed Eggsy past him. Merlin had been twice as shocked as he was. The man had spend every minute of the time that Eggsy was in surgery scouring his files and wondering how the lad could have hid it. Harry himself had spent the time thinking through every interaction with Eggsy wondering how he hadn’t figured it out. Some spy he was.
He turned his head as Merlin and Roxy entered the room. Roxy carefully took Eggsy’s hand in her own and began to stroke it. Merlin came to stand by his side, never taking his eyes from the boy, anxiety emanating from him in waves.
“It wasn’t in any of his medical files. I wonder why he thought he had to hide it. Did he think we were that close minded?” Merlin worried aloud.
“I worry more what might have happened that made him go to such lengths to hide it.” Harry said solemnly thinking back to the vague reference to rent boys in The Black Prince when he had first met Eggsy.
“How should we deal with his mother?” Merlin asked.
“Someone needs to go and explain the situation delicately. I’m not sure she would welcome my face at her doorstep again, not with such grim news.” Harry stated.
“I’ll go.” Roxy offered.
“Not alone.” Arthur decided after a few minutes. He looked to Merlin who merely nodded solemnly.
“Oi who’s bangin about out here?” A male voice asked before the door was abruptly opened. A young beta male with mocha colored skin appeared giving them both a suspicious once over before asking, “Who are you lot then?”
“I am Roxanne and this is Merlin, we work with Eggsy. Is this not his flat?” Roxy introduced them slightly confused.
“Oh good. I’s startin’ to think he weren’t gonna send anyone else to watch her. I’m Jamal.” Jamal explained with a grin and opened the door further to reveal a baby girl seated on his hip.
“Pardon?” Roxy asked.
“Yea well ‘e always makes sure someone’s gonna be around if he can’t get back yet. Usually he just sends Ryan tho, ‘e must be workin’ overtime or somfin.” Jamal explained handing the little girl off to Roxy. “She’s already had her lunch and is bout ready for a nap I’d say.”
“Is Michelle not here?” Roxy asked in confusion taking the girl with ease.
“Tha’s cute.” Jamal snorted. “She’s prolly out gettin’ shit faced or sumfin”
Roxy looked up at Merlin, who similarly was just as shocked at Jamal’s revelation.
“I’m guessin’ you toffs are safe an all seein’ as you work wif ‘im. Spare keys are on the counter, I expect yous know better than I do bout when he’ll be back.” Jamal retreated briefly into the flat appearing moments later with a bag. “Righ’ well I’m off. Tell that tosser ‘e don’t owe me nufin an’ if he tries to pay me again I’ll make sure that Dais don’t eat nufin but sugar next time.”
Just like that Jamal was gone. Roxy stared at the little girl in her arms and rocked her gently before looking up at Merlin in bemusement.
“She seems to be rather comfortable with you lass. Have you met before?” Merlin inquired with curiosity.
“I met her and Eggsy at the park a few times. She is just the sweetest thing, not even two yet. Her and Eggsy are as thick as thieves.” Roxy explained looking down at the girl.
“Sister?” Merlin asked for conformation.
“Yea,” Roxy nodded. “He cares for her like his own though. I thought his mother lived with him. I don’t understand this Merlin.”
Merlin nodded unsurprised at Eggsy’s bond with his sister. Eggsy was the only loving male in her family, the only one to properly provide for her. Roxy was right though; it didn’t explain where Michelle was now. He gestured for her to enter the flat, tired of standing about outside.
They entered the Kingsman issued flat and abruptly stopped. Merlin was unprepared for the barrenness of the flat. There was one worn looking sofa and a battered looking coffee table in the living room. A few toys were littered about, the majority stacked neatly in a cardboard box to the side. The adjoining dining room had a small table and a single chair. In the corner sat a secondhand highchair. Merlin wasn’t sure what he expected, but it wasn’t this. He looked to Roxy and she looked as shocked as he was.
“Do you think he just hasn’t moved in completely?” Roxy asked him, the doubt at her own question clear in her voice.
“I’m not sure lass.” Merlin replied quietly. It had been five months since he had given Eggsy the keys to the flat and while it could be plausible it didn’t seem very likely. She nodded and turned to him.
“Why don’t you hold her while I pack a few bags.” Roxy decided placing the babe in his arms before he could so much as blink.
“Oh Lass, I really don’t think tha’s a good idea.” Merlin looked down at the sweet little girl who was now burrowing into his jumper.
“Either you hold her or you pack for her.” Roxy replied raising an eyebrow.
“Pack for her?” Merlin asked still eyeing the child with apprehension. He had very little experience with children.
“Well we certainly can’t leave her. Besides it’s not like she’s a security threat. She’s not even two.” Roxy replied matter-of-factly moving towards the hallway.
Merlin had to admit she had a point; they couldn’t leave the little girl alone.
He followed after Roxy, adjusting Daisy in his arms as he went. The whole apartment was rather depressing, which Merlin thought rather curious. After the whole V-day debacle Eggsy had been knighted for his bravery and efficiency in saving the world. The boy had requested Merlin’s help in finding a place for his family to live and Merlin had happily given him one of the many flats Kingsman had acquired for their agents. That had been almost five months ago, what exactly was holding Eggsy back?
Roxy stopped at the first door, Merlin just behind her, and peaked in the closed off room. A single mattress was settled against one wall covered in a bland colored blanket. It clearly wasn’t Eggsy’s room going by the scent. There were distinct hints of an alpha scent faintly lingering about, not the sweet honeysuckle scent that had been emanating from Eggsy in the hospital room. Roxy looked up at him in question.
“Not Eggsy’s room judging by the smell.” He confirmed for her. The scent difference wouldn’t be obvious to Roxy, as a beta she couldn’t detect the distinctions as well.
“Whose is it then?” Roxy wondered out loud before closing the door and moving on.
The second bedroom had one bookshelf that held a few baby items. On the top Eggsy seems to have constructed a sort of makeshift changing table. In the corner sat a baby’s cot. There was no bed though.
“Merlin, I don’t understand. Where does Eggsy sleep?” Roxy turned to him.
Merlin frowned before walking around the room a bit more. He spotted a few of Eggsy things placed on the windowsill. There were some of the Christmas gifts that the boy had received at the Kingsman Christmas party. The photo of his dad, a gift from Harry, sat on top of the book Bors had given to him, A Hundred Full Proof Methods to Impress and Woo Omegas. Now he finally understood why Eggsy had laughed so hard. Merlin’s present sat on the other side of the sill, a little robotic dog, that looked as if Eggsy had taken it apart and put it back together again with a few extra pieces. Curious he pressed what appeared to be a button and a sweet lullaby began to play. After listening a few moments he moved on. Next to the crib there were a few blankets folded up and a small pillow resting on top.
Merlin knelt down, keeping a careful hold on Daisy. He lifted the pillow to his face and took a deep breath in. It was as he suspected, a slight hint of honeysuckle. He looked to Daisy, who had begun reaching for the pillow.
“Merlin?” Roxy called from behind him.
“Unless I’m very much mistaken, I do believe Eggsy sleeps on the floor.” Merlin said watching as the little girl in his arms buried her face in the pillow.
“What?” Roxy burst out, coming forward to join him.
“Daisy,” Merlin asked drawing the girls attention before asking, “where does Eggsy sleep?”
Daisy giggled and patted the pillow still in Merlin’s hand.
“Why?” Roxy asked perplexed. “I don’t understand Merlin.”
“I don’t know lass, but I intend to find out.” Merlin grumbled as he set the pillow down.
“Look.” Roxy pointed to the stack of blankets. He looked down and found a well-worn book that had been hidden under the pillow. Merlin smiled at the title, The Once and Future King, he remembers Lee reading the book at HQ.
“It was his fathers.” Merlin explained as she picked it up.
“Eggsy told me once during training that his dad used to read it to him when he was on leave. I didn’t realize he still had the book.” Roxy smiled faintly as she opened the cover.
“Come on.” Merlin coughed. “We need to be getting back.”
He stood and moved back to the living room to wait as Roxy flitted about gathering things in an a few old tote bags she had found in the closet. It didn’t take very long for her to finish, joining him once more with a bag over each shoulder.
“Where’s JB?” Merlin asked. It had taken him a while to note the absence of the small pudgy dog.
“He’s at the Kingsman kennels.” Roxy replied. “He leaves him there if his mission is going to be longer than a day or two.”
Merlin nodded and gestured for her to leave the flat first so that he could lock up.
The trip back to HQ was relatively painless. Roxy refused to take Daisy back, insisting that the little girl was more relaxed in his arms than hers. The little girl fell asleep before they even made it back to the shop, sucking gently on her thumb and nuzzling into Merlin’s jumper. Roxy had taken several pictures on her mobile much to his exasperation.
Getting off the bullet train and walking through headquarters down to the medical bay was a bit more complicated. Every single member of the support staff stopped and cooed over the sleeping babe until Merlin glared them all away. By the time they finally reached Eggsy’s room Merlin’s arms had begun to ache.
Roxy managed the door for him scuttling in after. She placed the bags carefully on the floor and sunk into an open chair. Merlin debated momentarily on where to place Daisy before carefully laying her down on Eggsy’s less injured side. He smiled as the little girl curled into Eggsy, recognizing his scent even in her sleep.
“I’m going to go try to find a contact number for Michelle.” Merlin said looking up at Roxy who had taken Eggsy hand again.
“Good luck. If what Jamal implied is true, you’re going to need it.” She replied seriously.
He nodded and left the medical wing at a hurried pace. Eggsy’s office was small and sparsely decorated. There were a few finger paintings taped up, presumably Daisy’s. Merlin quickly collected Eggsy’s Kingsman tablet and his personal mobile. It was standard policy that all agents leave all personal affects behind in case they were compromised. Having acquired those two items he made his way to his own tech cave and prepared himself to call Eggsy’s mother.
There were two numbers programed in for Michelle. The first one rang out to a voice machine twice. Merlin sighed and tried the second.
“ ‘ello? “ A slurred voice answered after a few rings.
“Yes I’m looking for a Michelle Unwin.” Merlin replied.
“Well, ya found ‘er! Tho’ its Michelle Baker now innit.” Michelle hiccupped into the phone before continuing. “Who might you be?”
“I work with your son.”
“Oh, ‘im. Is ‘e back from wherever he run off to this time? ‘e owes me a few quid.” Michelle replied.
“Madame, I am simply calling to inform you that Eggsy has had an accident.” Merlin frowned at the woman’s attitude.
“Sure sure. Well I don’ see why I need to kno’.” Michelle garbled.
“Yes, well nevertheless, he is quite injured. Daisy is here with us, is there someone else who can look after the babe?” Merlin inquired doubtfully.
“Jus’ keep the brat. Who else ‘as the time? Besides ‘e still owes me from last time I wotched ‘er.” Michelle huffed.
“Of course. Have a good evening mam.” Merlin hung up angrily. Was this what Eggsy had to deal with? An absent, uncaring, alcohol-abusing mother? He threw the mobile down on the desk and collected his own tablet along with Eggsy’s before heading back to the med bay.
He met Harry at the door to Eggsy’s room. Harry had an armful of files and a mug of tea. They both seemed to have the same idea in mind, camping out at Eggsy’s bedside.
“Merlin are you alright?” Harry frowned at him, no doubt scenting in his anger and frustration.
“Michelle.” Merlin replied shortly.
“Ah.” Harry’s eyebrows rose, “Didn’t take it well then?”
“She dinnae seem to care. Dinnae even care that her daughter was with us.” Merlin explained.
“Daughter?” Harry frowned. “You must be mistaken.”
“No. Daisy, Eggsy’s sister. One of Eggsy’s friends was watching her at his flat. We brought her here when Michelle was nowhere to be found. I had to call the woman to inform her of Eggsy.” Merlin clarified.
Harry stiffened and then abruptly entered Eggsy’s room without another word. Confused Merlin followed. He found Harry staring down at the babe curled into Eggsy’s side.
“Morgan came by to check on him a few moments ago. He was not happy with Daisy’s presence until he looked over Eggsy’s vitals. He believes the presence of a kin scent is helping to lower Eggsy’s blood pressure.” Roxy informed them starring worriedly at Harry.
“Harry?” Merlin asked quietly.
“That is not Eggsy’s sister.” Harry stated quietly.
“What do you mean Arthur?” Roxy looked at them confused.
“When I first recruited Lee all those years ago he told me about his family. He proudly showed me pictures of Michelle and their son. He was so incredibly in love with them. Lee explained that they had almost lost Eggsy. Michelle fell hard down a few steps in the last month of her pregnancy; it caused Eggsy to be born prematurely. He almost lost them both.” Harry sighed and looked at them both before continuing. “I asked Lee if they would ever consider more children. Lee explained that in trying to save Michelle the doctors had to make several fast decisions that led to Michelle being unable to have any more children.”
The room was deathly quiet as they took in what Harry said. Merlin stared in shock at the injured agent he had become so very fond of.
“So you- you mean that…” Roxy began trying to find the words. “Daisy is…”
“I don’t know for certain, but given the facts I suspect Daisy is Eggsy’s child, not sister.” Harry said quietly.