"Youngest agent in twenty five years huh?" The annoyingly familiar voice announced. Neil sighed and slipped a bookmark between the novel he had been reading. He set it down on the table to his right next to his china cup of tea. Eggsy strode round and perched himself on the edge of the matching red velvet arm chair opposite. He was dressed in the jumpsuit for training but his hair was still damp with water from a shower and there was a pug sat at his feet. It's big brown eyes gazing up at the two of them. 

"Eggsy", Neil greeted politely, sparing him a smile that was slightly less fake than normal. "No running today?" 

"No. Merlin is planning something so no lugging around army packs this morning". Eggsy reached down and gave the pug a pat. The stumpy tail began wagging and Neil couldn't resist leaning forwards and extending a hand. The pug, still in it's puppy years, eagerly gave it a sniff. The tail wagging as he scratched it's ears. 

"So you decided to join me for a cup of tea?" Neil asked as he sat back. Half of his wished that the other man would leave so that he could go back to his book. The other half was appreciating the eye candy of a handsome man with a cute dog. 

Eggsy was watching him with an unreadable expression and for a second, Neil felt like he was being analysed. "Thought I'd come and talk to you. See what makes you tick. See if you're really some posh prick". 

"What did I do to deserve that?" Neil leaned back in his chair and crossed one leg over the other. The suit of the day a pale grey paired with a baby blue floral shirt. No tie, just a white knitted sweater vest under the blazer. The colours brought out the clear ice blue of his eyes and the pink tinge to his skin. He looked like a youth from a posh university, Oxford or Cambridge. Young, younger than Eggsy. His lips twitched in a slightly cat like show of amusement, slightly interested now. "I thought you didn't like me". 

Eggsy's face mirrored the amusement. "No don't get me wrong, you're still a twat with a silver spoon stuck up your arse. But after meeting some of the other ugly mugs here, you are actually a lesser evil". 

"Charming". Though Neil found that he actually felt a sliver of agreement. 

Eggsy chuckled and rested his elbows on his knees. On the floor, the pug yawned and laid down. Neil flicked his eyes down at it. "What's the name?" 

"JB". 

"James Bond?"

"No. Jack Bauer". 

Neil blinked in surprise at the name but a genuine smile filled his lips. Then he realised that he had been smiling and his face fell back into it's normal, slightly snooty calmness.  Eggsy chuckled and leaned back in his chair. "You know, you aren't half bad when your face is not frozen". 

"That was a compliment. I'm touched". He fanned his hand over his chest in mock imitation of a southern belle.

"Don't get used to it". Eggsy smirked, eyes flickering over him with a quiet intensity. "Agent Tristan. Youngest agent in twenty five years? How old are you?"

"How old are you?"Neil arched an eyebrow.

"Twenty four". 

"Twenty five". 

Eggsy's widened. "Wow Tristan. Was that an honest answer?" 

"Check it out when you're an agent and have access to our files. Until then you can guess". 

Eggsy chuckled. "I think you were telling the truth". 

Neil put on an innocent look. "Am I?" He widened his blue eyes and pursed his lips as he rested hie head in his hand, whole posture now turned towards his companion.

"Yeah. You look like you're a teen. Can't be more than Twenty six. You're such a blonde Twink". Eggsy gestured at him with one hand. 

Neil's face turned cold and the playfulness disappeared. "Don't call me that.".

"Why not?" Eggsy leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs to match the other man's stance.

"Too many old men and perverts have used the term for me to like it". 

Eggsy's brows furrowed for a second in suspicion. "What's with the honesty?" 

Neil sighed and linked his fingers in his lap. "You lasted longer than I expected. It's been a month. More than any other of Harry's candidates, apart from your father that is". He had seen the records and had been quite surprised to find that Eggsy's father had once been a candidate. It put context to why Harry had so much riding on the boy. 

"So you're rewarding me?" Eggsy's face lit up with a slightly smug smirk.

"No. Just admitting that I might have been wrong". Neil met Eggsy's gaze. Blue against hazel. Then he gave a shark like grin. "But if you are a little boy in need of positive reinforcement, then you can take it as a reward". 

"I guess we can all do with a little positive reinforcement now and then", Eggsy smiled back, his own smile just as sharp. "And what if I pass today? The rumour is that Merlin is planning something big. If I make it to the finals will I get another reward?" 

"Ask Harry for a reward if you need praise", Neil replied as he brushed his fingers through his hair, there had been a tricky strand annoying him. He did not miss how Eggsy's eyes seemed to burn as they followed the movement. Neil felt a thrill at the sight and had to contain a smile, though he did wonder what sort of kinks the other man had. He had lain with many and Eggsy seemed to be the hair pulling type. "I have no time to train boys". 

"But why would I go to Harry? He is not my type. I'd much rather have a reward from you". His tone was heavy with insinuation and Neil felt the thrill grow slightly. It had been ages since he had been with someone who could meet his wit. 

He uncrossed his legs and recrossed them loosely, ankle resting on his knee to expose the shape of his inner thigh as one of his hands fell naturally into his lap. The effect was heightened by the way these trousers clung to his form. He gave kudos to Eggsy for only a slight flicker in his gaze. It was a move that'd had both men and women fall at his feet, but it seemed like he might actually have to try this time. That sounded like fun. "And what is your type?" Neil smiled coyly. 

Eggsy let his gaze travel up his body slowly, from head to toe. When their gazes met, he smiled. "I like blondes. Blue eyes", he spoke slowly. "Girls. Boys. Smart. Fit". 

Neil raised one eyebrow. "Sounds specific. Anyone I know?"

"I might tell you if you promise to give me a reward", Eggsy grinned. 

"You and your rewards. One might think you are a puppy". 

The brunette bared his teeth and gave a mock growl. Neil felt a laugh startle out of him, he raised a hand to cover his mouth as he wrestled it down to a chuckle. Eggsy beamed at the reaction. "I have had a previous girlfriend say that I'm animalistic in bed before". 

"Down boy", Neil chided, unable to keep the smile from tugging his lips. This was fun. He was having fun and that was surprising. 

Eggsy bared his teeth again then leaned forwards, green eyes widening. "So. What about that reward?" 

"You are persistent", Neil rolled his eyes. Eggsy shrugged at the statement. Neil smiled and stood up in one fluid movement and smoothed out the wrinkles in his suit. He then picked up his book and tucked it under his arm, Eggsy watching his hands. Then he took two strides to the velvet armchair, legs widening to fit Eggsy's knee between them. The other man leaned back as Neil placed a hand on the arm rest. The blonde leaned down so that their faces were mere inches apart. Eggsy's lips were slightly parted as he breathed and his green eyes were wide. Neil liked this expression on him. "How about you make it past this test and we shall see if I can think of something". 

"I can offer a few ideas", Eggsy breathed. Neil smiled and green eyes lingered on his lips. Both of them leaning closer.

"I am sure you can but"- New placed the hand holding his book on Eggsy's chest and pushed him back into his seat as he straightened. "-you need to prove yourself first". Then he was turning around and striding from the room, completely aware of the weight of Eggsy's gaze on his back as he went. 

unedited

how did they go from hate to whatever the fudge this is I do not know. I had to keep on stopping writing to giggle madly to myself before I continued. My characters have a mind of their own.