Private Mistmas for Q

[0_0_7]

Bond wasn't keen on working, no matter how bored he was. He'd made another run out to the sunken ship and had gathered up what valuables he could and had made his way to 'London' where he immediately traded the goods for money. It had been a fair bit and so he could enjoy himself in this odd little slice of home.

He had given quite a bit of thought to Q's admonishment that he manipulated the man. Toyed with him. It still smarted, but e had realized the truth of it. At first he'd given Q his space, but as time passed he found it to be a ridiculous waste of time. So he returned to often being a nuisance as Q worked on the radio or tried to read.

Today he had counted out his pounds and shillings and decided what was needed was a bit of a holiday. He sought Q out and when he found him he looked at him for a very long moment before speaking.

"Come with me," he said. "We'll have a bit of an adventure."

Comments

[cuppa_q]

Q was in the lab, as usual, toying with his poor phone. Currently, he was attempting to charge it, but given the way the battery began to bubble and hiss, he knew it wasn't going to go well.

"I'm not going in the ocean, it's freezing," he replied, glancing over at Bond.

[0_0_7]

"No. Something much better," Bond replied. "Come with me. I want to go to the city."

[cuppa_q]

"The fake London, you mean? With all the Victorian nonsense?" Q asked, hesitating, then shrugging. "I suppose there's a chance I might find parts for my tinkering..."

[0_0_7]

"Of course. Cogs and springs and such," Bond agreed, though he had little interest in watching Q sift through the remnants of the watchmaker's shop. "Put on your coat. There's snow there."

[cuppa_q]

"I wasn't going to go wandering without a coat," Q assured him, putting his things away and grabbing his coat and woolly hat off the back of a nearby chair.

[0_0_7]

"If you like we can stop by the closet. We should both try to find proper clothes to fit in. It's easier that way," he suggested.

[cuppa_q]

"Oh? No one paid my clothes any mind when I was there. They're all very placid and pleasant. Whatever it is, it's clearly not Victorian London. I saw two men snogging in the street and no one batted a lash. We both know that's not historically accurate," Q pointed out. "No, I'm fine just like this. I'm not playing dress up."

[0_0_7]

His hopes of getting Q into a fine suit and maybe a top hat were dashed, but rather than fuss, Bond nodded. "Alright. Let's go then," he said. "I came into some money so would you like to grab a bite? Something better than the pantry fare?"

[cuppa_q]

"I thought we were having an adventure," Q countered, eyeing Bond a bit suspiciously. "I assumed that meant you needed my help with something. You don't have to feed me to get my help, double-o seven. I'm your quartermaster."

[0_0_7]

"Adventure takes many forms. And since I very much doubt there's any espionage going on, we may as well try the food and see if we get ill," Bond replied lightly.

[cuppa_q]

"Why go with me?" Q asked bluntly, still eyeing the double-o with a slightly narrowed gaze.

[0_0_7]

"Because I want to," Bond said, paused, then added, "I'm trying to be kind, Q. That's all."

[cuppa_q]

Q hummed, but didn't seem completely convinced.

"Yes, alright. I suppose it would be nice to have a proper meal. Something vegetarian not from a can, perhaps," he nodded.

[0_0_7]

"Good, then. That's settled," he replied, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth. "We'll make a day of it."

[cuppa_q]

"Not a full day, I've got work to do here," Q warned, following at James' side "Besides, I'm sure you'll find something much more interesting than me once we're there," the boffin assured him.

[0_0_7]

"I very much doubt it," he said. "I've had a good look around. And what I've found that is of interest, I'm certain I need you by my side to enjoy it properly."

[cuppa_q]

"Since when have I ever been a prerequisite for you to enjoy something?" Q asked, looking doubtful. "I imagine you're simply still wound up over my boundaries. Perhaps I shouldn't come along. I don't want to quarrel."

...Or for Bond to think he could charm him into backing down.

[0_0_7]

"Nor do I. Is it so unthinkable that I'd like to spend time with you, Q? Is it unthinkable that I might be trying to be kind?" he asked, moving to the door while watching the other man.

[cuppa_q]

"Not unthinkable, just... Odd," Q said, picking his words carefully.

[0_0_7]

"Because you think I'm toying with you," he said. Not a question. "I'm not."

[cuppa_q]

"Then why the sudden interest in spending time with me?" Q asked. "What sparked this random desire?"

[0_0_7]

"It's Christmas, Q," he replied, as if he might be that sentimental.

[cuppa_q]

"Fine, fine..." Q sighed, surrendering to Bond's whims. "We'll go, we'll eat."

[0_0_7]

The smile that spread on his face was radiant, lighting up his eyes.

"Wonderful. And perhaps we can find something else to do as well," he said, sweeping his hand to usher Q out ahead of him.

The walk through the woods to the slice of London that had appeared was short, but cold. It was, in fact, a bit warmer in the city that it had been in their meager bit of civilization. The lamp posts were lit, casting cheerful light on the sparkling snow that dusted the streets. Everywhere in the shop windows were candles and tinsel, trappings of Christmas. On the corner there were five urchins singing carols. Bond dropped a coin in the hat for them.

"This is lovely, don't you think? All the romantic parts of Dickens."

[cuppa_q]

Q had no idea what to make of Holly Jolly James Bond. Holly Jolly James Bond was not someone he'd met before.

"...It's an interesting change from the more mid-century and utilitarian mainland we're usually trapped on," he allowed. "Technologically, however, it's even less useful than what we've already got access to. Unless you think we can mail a letter home from here."