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

[0_0_7]

"I did leave you champagne," he pointed out. "I wasn't completely thoughtless."

[cuppa_q]

"First of all, that was not your car, second- I meant the second time. The last time, before you left with her," Q sighed, not surprised that Bond didn't remember what he had thought had been a moment shared between them.

[0_0_7]

Bond looked at him a long moment, taking a sip of his wine before putting the glass down.

"Q...exactly how long has this been going on? This...these feelings about me?"

He figured he may as well be direct as he could be.

[cuppa_q]

"I've had a crush on you since the first day we met, you old fool," Q replied flatly. "...Let's leave it at that and let it die."

[0_0_7]

The first day they'd met. Bond recalled that day in the Gallery quite well. Being a bit shocked at how young Q was. How attractive. But what stood out most in his mind was the way Q met him and matched him with wit and poise. He imagined he'd had a bit of a crush on Q since then as well, though he didn't quite think in those terms. A fascination, maybe.

"I've been terrible to you, haven't I?" he asked, though he knew the answer. "For what it's worth, which isn't much, I'm sorry for my abysmal treatment, Q."

[cuppa_q]

"It's all in the past, Bond. I'm putting my feelings away, and from here we can move onto a better relationship inside the office and out," Q assured him.

[0_0_7]

Bond was quiet for a long moment, watching Q's every move. Taking in every twitch of muscle in his expression.

"Perhaps that's for the best," he said. "I'm all for a better relationship."

He lifted his glass of wine.

"To new starts for the new year," he said.

[cuppa_q]

Q echoed the gesture, but there was a sadness to the toast for him. One-sided though his feelings had been, it still made him ache to let them go.

[0_0_7]

"I think the beef wellington will do for dinner," Bond said. "And the chocolate mousse for desert. Then I want to show you something. If you're inclined to spend a bit more time with me."

[cuppa_q]

"Tell me what it is, and I'll be better suited to tell you if I'm interested," Q replied seriously. "Or, at the very least, offer a hint."

[0_0_7]

"How do you feel about horses?" he asked. "There's a lovely garden, and they offer carriage rides. I thought that might be a good way to spend the evening."

[cuppa_q]

Q looked wounded by the thought, though he gave Bond the benefit of the doubt, assuming the man didn't mean to dangle that particular carrot in front of his face this time.

"That... Doesn't sound like something you do with a friend, Bond."

[0_0_7]

"No. I don't imagine it is," he replied, taking another sip. "Would you like to join me? I've already arranged the carriage."

He wasn't used to hearing no...and he wasn't sure what he'd do if Q said it. He'd planned this all out.

[cuppa_q]

This all was happening so soon after Q had put his foot down and insisted he not be toyed with anymore, that Q couldn't help but feel like this was simply Bond pushing back against being told he couldn't have something.

"...I don't think that's a good idea," he said finally. "I... You don't mean to be, at least I hope you don't, but- This is cruel, James. It's cruel."

[0_0_7]

Bond heaved a sigh, wet his lips, and leaned forward.

"It's not," he insisted. "Can't you see this for what it is, Q? I'm trying to..." He paused and took another breath to calm himself down. "I've taken what you said to heart. I've thought it through and you're right. I need to stop toying with you. So this is me, no longer playing with your feelings. But for this to succeed it requires you to say yes to me instead of no."

[cuppa_q]

"You have to see why I'd have concerns, Bond," Q said softly. "Even if this isn't some knee-jerk reaction to being chased off- What happens when you tire of me? I've seen how easily you get bored of people. I don't want to be the next heart left behind."

[0_0_7]

"I doubt I'll get bored, Q. I'm...I'm actually quite fond of you. I have been for some time now. Not that I've been able to convey it well," he said, looking directly at Q with an intense, burning gaze.

[cuppa_q]

Q still wasn't sure, and after a moment, he sighed.

"I'll come, but it's not a date. Don't treat it like one, and don't expect it to end like one."

[0_0_7]

Bond offered up a cheeky smile.

"You're saying you won't come home with me?" he asked, teasing. "Where exactly are you going to sleep tonight? You have that delightful little nest..."

[cuppa_q]

"You know what I mean," the boffin insisted quietly, looking a tad embarrassed.

[0_0_7]

"Yes I do know what you mean. One thing at a time," he said. The waiter appeared and Bond ordered the beef for both of them, and mentioned dessert as well. The waiter nodded and excused himself to the kitchen.

[cuppa_q]

Q seemed unsure of what to do with himself while Bond ordered, fiddling with his napkin, then looking around at the other diners. He wasn't used to people ordering for him. ...Wasn't certain he liked it even. It felt very old fashioned.

"I can order for myself, you know," he said once they were alone again.

[0_0_7]

"I know. I just thought you might like the Wellington as well, and then we could have something to talk about if it was a disaster," Bond replied calmly.

[cuppa_q]

"I'm not much of a food critic to be honest. I basically live on take out," Q confessed.

[0_0_7]

"I've noticed. A man can't live on take away, Q. It does the soul good to treat yourself to a decent meal," Bond told him. "It's really a luxury. Some places I've been in this world...well, let's just say I appreciate a good meal at home."

Q had seen his file. The man knew Bond went places where food wasn't a top priority. Where luxury was something not always available. From Uganda to Chinese prisons, it made sense he'd appreciate eating like this in a time of peace.