13 or 22 please? You can choose :))

zombiisheep:

(I went with 22 since I already did 13.))

“How
much hinting do I have to do?” Eggsy asked as he threw open the doors to Merlin’s
office and waltzed in.

“I beg
your pardon?” Merlin asked without turning around to face Eggsy. He didn’t even
look up from the item he was tinkering with. Eggsy wasn’t sure if it was a
weapon or not, so he kept a wide berth and hung close to the door for a quick
exit.

“For
Christmas. How much hinting do I have to do before Harry catches on?” Eggsy
asked. He’d been leaving small hints for what he wanted since Halloween. He’d
started off rather inconspicuous, just a small print out left here on the
benefits of time off, a magazine opened to articles on stress in the work place,
and a vague mentioned through second and third parties about splendid vacation
retreats. As November plowed through, Eggsy amped up his hinting, all but
stating, ‘All I want for Christmas is you to take a bloody day off and stay in
bed with me’.

“Instead
of hinting lad, why don’t you just tell him?” Merlin asked. He exchanged the
tool he was holding for a screwdriver and started to twist at something Eggsy
couldn’t see.

“I don’t
want—well— “Eggsy huffed.

How did he explain he didn’t want
to push his limits? Their relationship was so new, Eggsy was afraid to ask for
too much. Though he supposed asking to spend the holiday with the person you
love wasn’t a ridiculous request, he also knew their job was exactly normal.
Villains and terrorists didn’t take the month off. They in fact doubled their
efforts, channeling their inner Grinches, and increasing Kingsman’s work load.

Eggsy shrugged. “I don’t want to
force him to spend time with me.”

“He should just want it?” Merlin
said, finally lifting his head to look at Eggsy with two raised eyebrows. “Lad,
while Harry believes he is every bit the gentleman he preaches to be, he is
also thicker than a sack of flour. He loves you, but he also has tunnel vision,
and despite his pension for being tardy, he works harder than a mule. Give him
a break and tell him that you want to spend the holiday with him.”

Eggsy chewed on his bottom lip and
weighed Merlin’s words. Merlin turned back around, a clear dismissal. Eggsy
sighed and shoved off the wall. “I guess you’re right. Thanks Merlin.”

Merlin waved him off over his
shoulder. Eggsy took his leave and found Harry in his office, working on the
computer.

Harry didn’t realize Eggsy was
there until he cleared his throat. “Eggsy, darling, what are you doing here?”

“Can we talk?” Eggsy asked.

Harry blinked up at him with those
wide eyes of his, the same ones he used back in the Black Prince the day they
first met, and pushed back in his chair. “Of course, is something wrong?”

“No,” Eggsy said quickly. Harry
held a hand out for him and Eggsy happily went, allowing Harry to pull him onto
his lap. The feel of Harry wrapped around him instantly set him at ease.

“What’s the matter?” Harry asked,
looping an arm around his waist.

“Well, I wanted to talk to you
about Christmas…” He trailed off, the computer monitor catching his attention.
There was a travel site up. “Harry, why are you looking at a package deal to
Paris?”

“Shite,” Harry cursed and quickly
reached around Eggsy to close out of the screen. “You weren’t supposed to see
that. Forget that.”

Eggsy blinked, the pieces
connecting in his mind. He laughed and grabbed Harry by the face, dropping a
firm kiss on his lips. He stood, Harry letting him go, and headed for the door.

“Wasn’t there something you wanted
to talk about?” Harry called.

Eggsy shook his head with a grin. “No,
it’s not important. I’ll see you at home tonight, okay?”

“Yes, of course,” Harry said with a
small frown.

On
Christmas morning, Eggsy not only got Harry to himself for most of the day
(until the others came over for dinner), but discovered a small box with two
plane tickets under the tree. Two weeks later, Eggsy found himself standing at
the top of the Eiffel tower, accepting a proposal.