lepidopterologist

Q

The day after the awards show party Harry had to work late, which vexed him to no end as he'd promised Q that he was going to be home to make dinner. He texted him an apology and instructions to have a snack if he was hungry, and when he finally arrived home around 8pm, came with boxes of fresh sushi that he'd had delivered to the office, along with a bouquet of flowers.

"I'm home," he called when he came in, and a touch sheepishly held out the flowers when Q came in.

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Q squirmed in his seat a bit, stealing a glance at James, then looking at Harry again. "No desert?" he quipped.

"It's an exceptionally good cake, Q. You're going to have to earn dessert," James said mildly, looking at the younger man, then to Harry to make certain that was acceptable.

Harry’s lips quirked. “I think that sounds very fair. Perhaps we all can.”

He began to cut his final pieces of steak. “Q can tidy up while we have a look at my ties.”

He also wanted a moment to speak with Bond since unlike Q he hadn’t had time alone with him lately.

Q glanced between them, then nodded a little in agreement.

"I don't mind cleaning up," he said, finishing up his own meal with small and thoughtful bites.

Bond ate his last potato and left the dregs of his wine for Q to attend to. He followed Harry to see the collection, curious if their games were all domestic and improvised.

"Your home is beautiful," he mentioned as he admired the art.

Harry smiled. "Thank you. I suppose you were a bit distracted the last time you were here, hmm?" He led them into his bedroom, and threw open the doors to the walk in closet. Though firs the turned to Bond and said, "Are you glad to be here, James?"

"Glad? What an interesting word choice," he said as he walked past Harry to feel the quality of the silk ties.

"I imagine I am. Well fed, welcomed playmate, and enjoyable enough to be invited back. I'd say yes," he answered thoughtfully.

“I just want to be sure that you’re entirely comfortable with this arrangement,” Harry said, watching him. “I am. Q is as well, he’s fond of you.”

Harry had been a bit surprised when Q had suggested Bond join them on a vacation, though the idea was growing on him.

"Is there more to the arrangement than food and sex?" he asked to the ties, then turned to Harry.

"Are there...feelings?" he asked, his first show of reluctance about anything.

Harry tried very hard to read his tone there and found himself fairly confident that he was asking with wariness and not hope. He also wasn’t quite sure how to answer. Finally he said, “I don’t feel that I should speak for Q but I’ll only say that that isn’t something that concerns me at present.”

He paused. “Would you like to put some boundaries in place? By which I simply mean being very clear about what you want this to be.”

"My only boundary is if hearts may be broken, I need to walk away. If we keep to pure pleasure, I think we could have a very good arrangement," he smiled.

Harry nodded. "That's very reasonable." He reached in and removed one of his favorite ties from the rack. Silk. "I know that it's not always simple, being a third. If you're ever uncomfortable with anything, you only have to say."

"I'll be sure to speak up," he said, admiring the tie and then turning to look beyond the ties.

He selected a fine cordovan belt, the Italian leather soft as could be.

"Q has told me he'd like to be a bit more daring," he said, turning to look at Harry.

"We agreed we should ask you about leaving marks," James continued as he slid the belt through a loose fist.

Harry tilted his head thoughtfully. "Very good," he said. "What else did you discuss that might be helpful for me?"

"Not much of substance, but I can tell you he did his very best to be obedient and it was a struggle. He does it to provoke more, of course. I'm sure he tests you...because he trusts you," he said.

"And I trust you," he continued. "I don't mind direction, and I don't mind doing things that...perhaps you'd rather watch."

Harry considered his own reaction to this and then said, “When I am present, only hurt him under my direction.” Pause. “When I’m not present then he can consent to whatever he pleases.”

He took the belt from Bond and slid it between his hands. “And what should I know about your boundaries? The physical ones.”

A shadow darkened his eyes, but he didn't look away.

"I don't enjoy being bound...at all. Held down, on occasion. And no damage to the face," he told him honestly.

Harry looked at him for a second, and then nodded.

He moved closer to him. Put his hand on the back of his neck. “And anything in particular that you do like?”

"Unambiguous direction," he replied softly, eyes on Harry's...until they flickered to his lips for a moment.

Harry's lips curled into a smile. "I think that can be arranged," he said.

Then after a beat, "I also think that Q might be more inclined to... misbehave, with you, than he does with me. You're welcome to encourage that if you like. And then some of that direction may be to punish him."

His hand on the back of James' neck slid forward, until he was cupping his face. "I'd also like to fuck you tonight."

James closed his eyes and savoured the warmth and strength of Harry's hand.

"Yes, please," he answered softly, simply.

Harry pulled him in then and kissed him. Hungry but brief. Then patted his cheek and said, “Go fetch Q.”

He nodded once and stepped around Harry to go do as he was told. He found Q and lingered in the doorway.

"Harry said to fetch you," he said with a hint of a smile. "I don't think he meant me to bring you back in my teeth."

"No?" Q asked with a cheeky little smile. He'd finished cleaning up and was on the sofa, one cat on his knee and another sitting beside him. Poe spotted Bond, stretching a little, then wandering over to give him a little sniff.

"Well...he did say marks are fine with your consent when he isn't present," he drawled.

Then flashed a smile, then glanced back toward the bedroom.

"...Maybe a nibble," he considered.

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