Roxy found him in the sculptor corridor of the V&A. He was making faces at the white stone statues as tourists bustled around him. Some of them staring at his expensive suit and almost white blonde hair. It wasn't untrue to say that he stood out. Neil turned as she approached, lifting his hand which was holding a large caramel latte from Starbucks, at her in greeting. She smirked at him and leaned in for a hug.

"Roxy", Neil grinned as he hugged her back. She smelt of lavender perfume. "Thank you for meeting me".

"Neil", Roxy beamed back. Her long wheat blonde hair was tied up in a bun and she wore a simple pair of blue jeans, paired with a white shirt and a pale blue knitted jumper. A leather messenger bag was slung over her shoulder and a pair of sunglasses were perched on her head. "How's my fabulous boy doing? I love your suit, is it new?"

Neil obediently held out his arms to show off the suit, laughing as Roxy made him turn. "Yeah. It is new. Glad to know that I look good".

"You definitely do". Roxy linked their arms together and they began strolling through the museum. "Now tell me about this mysterious job interview".

——

Roxy stirred her red and white mocktail with her straw. The colours blending into a deep sunset pink. Ice clinking on the glass as she listened to what Neil was saying. "So", she responded after a while. "All you've said is that it's dangerous, and that it is of the highest secrecy". Around them, the members cafe was bustling. People stoping for tea and food before continuing to looks around the museum. Neil had snagged them a table in the corner. The perfect place to take in the decor but also not be heard by any of the surrounding tables.

"It is dangerous", Neil stated. His own mock tail was a shade of purple almost matching his suit. "I almost died recently. My mentor did die. That is why there's a vacancy. But you have all the skills for it and you're the only person I feel that I can suggest as a candidate".

Roxy's face was carefully blank as she absorbed the information. "Do you enjoy your job?" She asked after a while.

Neil nodded. "I do. I am going to be honest about it. It is exhausting, stressful and I am pushed to my limits all the time. But I do good things. I save people and I honestly feel like I help stop the world from becoming shittier than it already is. Maybe not make it better, but stop it from maybe getting worst".

Roxy was listening intently. Neil watched as she thought for a minute. "It's a lifetime commitment", he warned. "Even if you survive long enough to retire, you will never fully be out of the life. Of course, there's great perks, but it comes at the cost of your physical and mental well being. There have been several previous agents who couldn't cut it. The death got to them eventually".

"And has it got to you?"

Neil let out a surprised laugh. "Oh no, don't turn this into a therapy session Rox. To answer your question, no. The people I have killed made their choices. It's kill or be killed", he shrugged. "The death of innocents is always tragic but with my job, I can always try my best to prevent any more. I honestly believe that my job is good. And I also believe that you have what it takes to do this job. If you accept then you will be my applicant for the role of the next kingsmen agent".

Roxy sipped her drink for a long silent moment. Neil waited patiently, resting his chin in the palm of his hand. When her drink was finished, she leaned back and smiled. "So, when do I start?"

Neil beamed. "Excellent. You can start now".

Roxy blinked at him, then sighed down at her finished drink. "Maybe I should have ordered an alcoholic one".

"Maybe", Neil replied as he stood up. He straightened his blazer and held out a hand to her. Roxy took it and slung her bag over her shoulder.

"Do we need the check?" She asked.

"Nope", Neil grinned. "Kingsmen don't need to pay in places like this". He waved at the bartender as he passed and the man nodded back. "Do you need to do anything before we start?"

Roxy thought for a second before shaking her head. "I'll just say to my family that I've spontaneously joined a friend their vacation and wouldn't be back for- how long is this process?"

"A month or two. You will be allowed calls with your family once you've gone through the first few tests but Merlin will go through your terms and conditions later". Neil waved a dismissive hand to the notion. "But before I deliver you to the company in the morning. We need to go back to mine". Then he stopped abruptly, a expression of slight panic on his face. "If my cousin has finally left that is". He pulled out his phone to check them sighed in relief.

"Oh good. Come on Rox. Let's go to mine and I will show you more about my job".

——

Neil drew in a deep relaxing breath as he clicked open the doors to his penthouse apartment. It was a two story apartment. With calm pale blue walls and a black wooden flouring. It was a mixture of rich minimalism, and slightly bohemian style. The furniture was all varying shades of dark green, grey and black while the lamp shades folded the light into soft warm tones.

Neil yawned and tugged off his suit jacket as he entered. He whole of the first floor was open plan, with only two doors leading off. Above the dining table was a hole through to the second floor where a long line of beautiful stained glass lamps hung, casting the second floor and the in colours. "Make yourself at home", he gestured to the space. "The second guest bedroom and bathroom is those two doors over there", he gestured to the black doors. "Upstairs is my master bedroom, study and first guest room. Feel free to pick which guest room you want". He let out a whistle and there was the click of claws on the wood. A caramel shiba Inu dog came bounding round the corner. Neil knelt down to run his hands through its fur as its tail wagged happily.

"Did you miss me? I bet you did", Neil cooed for a second. The dog's eyes shutting and turning into cute crescents as he rubbed it's head. "This is Lady Jane. Say hello Lady Jane". The dog gave a happy yip and was immediately petted and praised. Neil looked up, his blonde hair in disarray from the dog jumping at him. "Hope you like dogs".

"She is adorable", Roxy grinned. He leaned over and held out a hand for Lady Jane to sniff. The dog let her pet her for a moment before wandering back over to Neil. Roxy dropped her bag on the floor next to the sofa and sat down, bouncing slightly on the soft velvet emerald couch. "Nice place", she commented, looking around. "Expensive".

"Well the job has its perks", Neil grinned as he unbuttoned his collar and headed towards the drinks cabinet under the stairs, Lady Jane weaving between his legs. He gestured to the numerous bottles. "What's your poison?"

"Give me a good gin and I'll let you further convince me into joining your spy group".

Neil laughed as he scooped up a raspberry and honey based gin and a bottle of tonic water before turning to the glasses. "I thought you had already agreed".

"I have, no we need a bigger glass than that". Roxy gestured to the round fish bowl glasses and Neil rolled his eyes. There was the chiming of glass as he set his prizes on the coffee table. Roxy immediately leaned forwards to help herself as lady Jane curled up against Neil's legs. "I just want to hear some of your dashing stories".

Neil chuckled. "I'll definitely need a drink for that. Cheers". He held up his glass and they clinked them together. "To wish you luck during the application process. May you become a fine kingsman agent".

"Cheers".

Unedited