Q

[lepidopterologist]

Harry was feeling very good about his burgeoning relationship with Nyx - it was casual, still, and he doubted that Nyx was interested in anything serious - but he still found himself frequently thinking of Q. It wasn't as if things had ended badly, in fact they hadn't really ended at all. And it wasn't as if that had ever been serious either, Harry had just.... hoped that it might be. Or maybe he was just realizing now that he actually missed him, which was not something he was accustomed to feeling when he dated.

Maybe this was why, when he found himself walking by a cafe the two of them had been to once, he found himself stopping even though he had no need for coffee. He and Q hadn't been planning to stop here either, they'd been on their way somewhere else, but it was raining, and they'd ended up getting coffee and scones and just sitting in here for hours, missing whatever they'd been planning to do before.

He bought a coffee, and the same type of scone that Q had raved about before, and then sighed to himself and stepped outside. And immediately saw Q.

It was just such a coincidence and so unexpected that he was visibly startled. "Oh, I - hello," he said, awkwardly holding the coffee in one hand and a scone wrapped in paper in the other.

Comments

[lepidopterologist]

Harry shifted a little closer to Q, and relaxed a little at Bond's hand on his skin.

"You should get some rest," he said softly, and kissed Q's shoulder.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

Q wasn't sure he'd sleep, but he did let his eyes fall shut, trusting he was safe with James and Harry here.

He rested his head against James, and reached blindly to hold Harry's hand

"Goodnight," he said softly.

[0_0_7]

"Sleep, boffin," Bond said, quiet and firm.

Then he held him, feeling the heat of Harry's body, right there, so close to his arm.

They really should talk. He knew they should.

He also knew exactly how Harry felt about him and didn't see how talking would ever happen.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry squeezed Q's hand.

And then looked over him to see Bond looking at him. It was the first time they'd touched in many years.

He really didn't know what to do or say. So he just... closed his eyes, too.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

Q slept hard, but not for long. It was early when he woke, even earlier than Bond tended to rise, and he listened to the rain hitting the roof for a while as he lay between the two men. He was feeling more himself this morning, and it was easier to let the mask of calm slip into place.

He was afraid to speak, to even breathe too hard, not wanting to shatter the peace that seemed to have settled over them all for a moment. He needed the bathroom though, and eventually he untangled himself from the pair to slip off to the loo.

[0_0_7]

Bond was wide awake before Q was entirely out of the bed, but he kept his eyes closed and didn't move until the man had successfully made his escape. It was only then that he shifted and stretched a little before settling more comfortably.

He'd give Q five minutes, he thought.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry was typically very early to rise. He didn't even have to set an alarm anymore. And yet... somehow he slept right through.

He stirred when Q climbed off of the bed, and watched him go, before looking over at James.

"It's been a long time," he said.

[0_0_7]

"Lifetimes," he replied.

The gunshot wound that marred his chest was bad enough that that was likely true.

[lepidopterologist]

"I confess, I'm almost surprised you survived that long," Harry said.

[0_0_7]

"Proverbial bad penny," he answered simply, keeping his voice low.

He could hear Q poking around somewhere beyond the bedroom door.

"He's not meant for the field," he noted quietly. "The explosion rocked him."

[lepidopterologist]

"No kidding," Harry said, a touch shortly. "He should be in a basement on a computer."

[0_0_7]

"I've found I can't keep him there forever, either," Bond said quietly.

"Q does as Q pleases," he added.

[lepidopterologist]

"And will he be safe now?" Harry asked.

[0_0_7]

"Harry, Q is- perhaps- the most valuable asset in the Empire's arsenal. Six will see he's safe. I will see he's safe," he said.

Then smirked.

"You'll have to pull your weight and take a shift, too, you realize."

[lepidopterologist]

"Why... why would you want that?" Harry asked, genuinely baffled.

[0_0_7]

Bond looked vaguely confused.

"Because Q's is going to need you to," he said, as if it should be obvious.

[lepidopterologist]

"Shall I repeat all of the names you've called me that suggest what you think of my competence and character?" Harry said flatly.

[0_0_7]

"And I stand by it. All those years ago. But I'd hope you've done some growing up, Harry," Bond said, not sounding like he thought Harry might have.

Not in the moment.

"Are you going to do it?" he asked plainly then. "Because I can make certain there's an agent glued to his hip at all times if you don't think you can handle it."

[lepidopterologist]

"You are such an asshole," Harry hissed. Then looked up at the ceiling and sighed. "But you can tell MI5 that if he's with me he's safe."

[qu4r73rm4573r]

Q slipped quietly out of the bathroom, only to find both men awake.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake everyone," he said.

He seemed more himself now, mask firmly in place and doing his best to seem as though nothing had happened the night before. Though he had to admit, that was a bit hard to pull off when he was standing nearly nude in front of the two men.

"Perhaps we should have breakfast?" he suggested awkwardly.

[0_0_7]

Bond smiled, pleased with himself that he could still get under Harry's skin after all these years. It didn't even take all that much effort.

"I'd love breakfast," Bond said as he looked away from Harry to Q with a genuinely affectionate smile.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry was tense again. He couldn't help it; James knew just how to get under his skin.

"It's all right, I slept very well," was all he said, quiet, and climbed out of bed.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"So did I," Q said, hesitating and then adding, "Thank you. ...Both of you. I apologize for my reaction yesterday, I didn't... It wasn't my intention to let myself get so upset by something so silly."

[0_0_7]

"I hope you don't think that, Q," Bond said. "You survived an explosion and lost things you treasured. I can promise you that I've had to sit through enough psych appointments to assure you that can upset people. I'm told," he added dryly.

Q was well aware of what Bond thought of 6's psychologists, but for all that he didn't see they could do anything for him, he did see the value for people with...less damage.

[lepidopterologist]

"I don't think that any of it is silly," Harry said. "Though I apologize if right on the heels of everything else that's going on with you was not the time to tell you about James' and my history. I just thought... it would be better than keeping it from you."

Which was, yes, a pointed dig at James.

"Shall I cook?" he asked. "Is there... actual food here?" He wasn't confident that either of them were cooking.