for Q

[lepidopterologist]

For some time now, Harry had been considering a talk with Bond. The flirting did not go unnoticed, it seemed stronger every day. As did Q's discomfort, Harry thought, though that was also harder to judge... and Harry felt as if he were possibly the least qualified person in the world to give someone advice about this sort of thing.

Eventually, though, he decided that what he was mostly concerned about Q's wellbeing. Which he found he cared a great deal about.

He'd decided that he did want to check on Q. So he fell into step with him as they inadvertently met up on the way to home from the beach. "Good morning, Q," he said pleasantly.

Comments

[cuppa_q]

"Damaged attracts damaged?" Q asked with a soft chuckle and a smile, his expression softening again.

[lepidopterologist]

"Something like that," Harry agreed with a soft smile of his own. He was glad he was sitting across the table, lest he do something very stupid, like try to kiss him, but couldn't stop himself from stretching out his hand a bit again, to brush his fingers against Q's. "But I think I have more years of baggage than you deserve."

[0_0_7]

Bond chose that moment to come back with Jack. The pup heeled well and when Bond released the leash, Jack went to Harry. Which meant Bond looked at Harry first. And the fact that he was holding Q's hand.

"Am I interrupting?" he asked dryly, his mouth a tight line. That he was jealous was no secret, but usually he had a better poker face.

[cuppa_q]

Bond could be very hard to read, but Q could read that just fine. He should have pulled his hand away- But didn't. He wasn't going to push Harry away just because Bond was sulking.

"No, we're just chatting," the boffin replied mildly.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry was rather shocked when Q didn't pull away from him when Bond walked in. He offered Q a little smile, and then pulled his hand away himself, reaching down with it to pet Jack. "Would you like some tea?" he asked.

Yes, the jealousy was more than obvious.

Harry couldn't help but think that if this was the moment that pushed the two of them together, he was going to be extremely annoyed with himself.

[0_0_7]

For a moment Bond felt foolish in his jealousy. Q was so placid and Harry consumately polite. There were a hundred reasons why they could have been sitting like that. Just because Bond was shit at offering comfort it didn't mean there was anything going on...

"Something stronger, I think," he said and brushed past the pair so he could take a bottle he'd pinched from the hotel.

[quartermaster_q]

"Ah yes, is it noon already?" Q drawled, shaking his head. "When was the last time you put something green inside you, James? How do you function on nothing but scotch and sex?"

And Bond had definitely been having sex in that odd city that had popped up a few weeks back. Q could always tell.

[lepidopterologist]

"I was going to offer to cook," Harry said to Q. For you, he didn't add. "Perhaps James should join us."

[0_0_7]

"Prolytic enzymes don't agree with me, Q," Bond reminded him, then looked to Harry. "But I could eat something."

He was still clipped, smarting from the intimacy he was well aware of between the pair. Where he found himself working so hard to forge some sort of trust between he and Q, it simply came naturally to Harry.

[quartermaster_q]

"I have't forgot, James. Though I wonder if Madeleine has," the boffin said, needling the double-o just a little before turning his attention to Harry with a smile. "I think dinner sounds lovely, Harry. Thank you."

[lepidopterologist]

Harry knew that he had no right to be cross at Bond for interrupting. It was his house, after all. But he couldn't help but think that even if he thought it couldn't go anywhere, he and Q had been having a... moment, and he wanted to go back to it. Especially if he kept smiling at him like that.

"Perhaps we could drink after food," he added. At this point he rather wanted one himself.

[0_0_7]

Too late for that suggestion. Bond had already poured a measure, swallowed it, and poured another. He might need five or six more if he had to keep watching Q smile so fondly at Harry while delivering barbs to Bond.

"I think Jack needs to eat before any of us," he said. "I'm going to feed the pup and get out of the way if you're going to cook, Harry. I'd hate to be underfoot," he said with a slightly bitter note.

[quartermaster_q]

Q sighed a little at that, then looked down at the table. "I should return to mine and feed the cats. When I get back I'll lend you a hand, Harry," he offered.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry looked at both of them, and suddenly realized that this was far more complicated than he was equipped to deal with. Perhaps when Q returned, Harry should tell him that he could if he preferred pretend that Harry had never said anything to him. Though the thought also made him a bit sad.

"I'll be right here," he said.

[0_0_7]

Bond fed the pup and lingered to pet him a bit. It wasn't until Q was gone that he moved back to talk to Harry.

"The two of you are awfully close," he remarked.

[lepidopterologist]

"Yes," was all Harry said, as he began to chop an onion he'd brought back from the kitchen earlier.

[0_0_7]

Bond saw no reason to be coy.

"Are you fucking him?"

[lepidopterologist]

Harry's back was to Bond since he was chopping the onions, and his back visibly stiffened.

He set down the knife and turned slowly towards Bond.

His mouth was set in a straight line. "I might have expected more of you than that kind of rude crassness."

[0_0_7]

"If you expected more I'm sure you're sorely disappointed," Bond replied coolly. "And since you didn't answer, I'll assume the answer is yes."

[lepidopterologist]

Harry continued staring him down. He was torn; his inclination was to refuse to answer such rudeness, but Q might be upset if Bond believed this.

Finally he said, "I didn't answer because the question doesn't deserve an answer. Ask him yourself when he returns. I know you don't care about my sex life, and I have no part in whatever is between the two of you."

[0_0_7]

Bond really had no leg to stand on considering he'd been fucking replicants every night that wore Q's face and had Q's voice. But that was different. He wasn't going to lose his heart or be any less devoted to the actual man. Q and Harry, though, that was...upsetting.

"I'd rather hear it from you," he said. "I've been working very hard, and if it's for nothing I have a right to know."

[cuppa_q]

"No," Q said, standing in the doorway now, his lips pressed into a firm line. "You don't have any right to know who I'm with, or not with," he assured James, exhaling through his nose and stepping inside.

"However, since you're so set on prying your way into mine, and Harry's, private lives, I'll have you know I'm not sleeping with anyone."

[lepidopterologist]

Harry looked at Q when he walked in. Well, there, it was out. He half expected Bond to just grab Q and kiss him. Which might make Harry physically ill.

"I think perhaps neither of you want me here anymore," he finally said.

[0_0_7]

"I think you should stay right where you are," Bond replied, then looked at Q. "Because I'm sure you're not keen to be alone with me just yet."

He looked back.

"And there's dinner to think of."

[cuppa_q]

That felt like a threat, and Q wished it didn't give him such a twisted little thrill.

"I want you both to stay," he assured Harry, taking his glasses off and using the hem of his shirt to clean them. "I stand by what I've always said, we need to work together. So... We need to find a way to make this work. We need to be practical, rather than emotional. We all clearly all have various desires, and ignoring them isn't going to help us survive here. James is well aware of my interest in him, and I'm now aware of Harry's interest in me. ...An interest I find to be mutual. So- I suggest we all have dinner together like adults and work out the kinks, no pun intended, as best we can. We're modern men, and at least two of us are reasonable. There has to be a way we can all get along."