Portal Plot - Q, Harry

[0_0_7]

The news of the portal spread fast and Bond was keen to see what it was all about. A way home was nothing he'd pass up. And, of course, he'd grabbed Q ad Harry to make sure they got home, too.

They stepped out in London, right into Bond's flat with his television and lone chair, files and folders scattered on a box that served as a table. The first thing he did was turn on the telly to the news.

And today in Cornwall there was a massive earthquake that triggered a landslide. Geologist have no explanation for it as earthquakes are not common in that area. Locals blame the poor conditions of ancient, crumbling mines...

Bond clicked it off.

"Q, get on the phone and call M. Then we'll know if we need to be debriefed or if we can go get dinner and drinks at some civilized place."

Comments

[cuppa_q]

Q nodded, pleased to see his mobile had a signal and stepping away from the pair to make the call.

[lepidopterologist]

This was all entirely bizarre, but Harry couldn't help but feel a simultaneous thrill and a swell of relief when he saw that they were back in civilization.

"I'm guessing this is your flat?" he said to Bond, because clearly both of the others knew where they were, and it looked like what he might expect from Bond. Very different than Harry's own style.

[0_0_7]

"It is," Bond replied. "Not well appointed for entertaining, but I'm very rarely here," he explained, looking to Q to hear if he could have a pleasant night out or be subjected to -6 matters.

[cuppa_q]

Q wasn't on the phone long, and when he hung up he seemed perplexed.

"Um, M didn't seem to know why I was calling- Since I was in his office this morning. ...Talking about the project I was preparing to launch before finding myself in that place," he said, frowning slightly. "It would appear as though somehow no time has passed."

[lepidopterologist]

Harry frowned a little, confused. Then said, "If that's the case, I should check in." He didn't have his glasses, or even his phone, but of course knew how to get in touch with Eggsy anyway. "Though I'm not really sure what to say."

[0_0_7]

Bond was concerned that it seemed no time had passed, but kept a stoic visage.

"Just check in. See if things are the same on your end," he nudged.

[cuppa_q]

"I'd advise keeping it neutral, casual even. My tone seems to have concerned M somewhat. He suggested I might be under too much stress," Q admitted.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry nodded, and then asked, "May I borrow a phone?" When Bond handed it to him, he dialed Eggsy's private cell number.

Eggsy too seemed unsurprised to hear from him, giving no signs that he'd been absent. Harry told him he was just checking in because he'd broken his glasses. He'd be getting some new ones from Merlin as soon as possible.

He handed Bond back his phone. "You're right. It's like I haven't been gone at all."

[0_0_7]

Bond nodded and took the phone back.

"Then we should enjoy the night because it's likely we are back to work tomorrow," he said. "So...dinner?"

[cuppa_q]

"I suppose," Q agreed, though there was a sadness to his tone. If they were home and all was as it had been, did that mean it all went back to normal now? Harry gone, Bond back to chasing skirts... Was that how it would be again?

[lepidopterologist]

Harry felt strange about this as well. "So you think... it's over? That's all there was to this - we found a portal back and now we're home?"

After all these months, it felt strange to think that his life would just go back to normal now. Especially... His gaze drifted between the other two men. Well.

"Regardless," he added, "I could definitely use a drink."

[0_0_7]

"Well clearly we're home," Bond said. "I think we can bid farewell to that odd little holiday of ours."

He walked into the bedroom to find something more appropriate to wear. His closet offered him dozens of tailored Tom Fords and it took him no time to get dressed. When he emerged he looked much more like himself. A knight in his own particular armor.

"Alright, dinner and drinks and we can discuss matters. Most important of all, I believe, is where we will all live."

It hadn't even crossed his mind that they'd abandon their arrangement.

[cuppa_q]

"There's a lot of paperwork to be filed if anyone is to move. Progressive as six is, there are still rules. Interoffice relationships tend to be frowned on," Q said quietly. "And then, Harry's situation is unique to him."

He looked crestfallen, and he took a calming breath before speaking again. "I need to return through the portal for the cats later, but in the meantime, I'm going to go home and shower and change. Forward me an address and I'll meet you both this evening to discuss our situation."

[lepidopterologist]

Harry was more shocked than Q when Bond implied they should go on living together. It wasn’t that the idea was objectionable, just... complicated. And Bond wasn’t the one he’d have expected to hear it from.

“I think I’d like to get into my own clothes as well,” Harry said, thinking this in part Because Bond looked so damn good in that suit. He glanced at Bond. “Perhaps you have a burner phone I could have until I’m sorted?”

[0_0_7]

Bond found a box of discarded phones, most a couple years old. He gave one to Harry and took one for himself. He wasn't about to use his own phone to communicate with Harry and Q about their personal business.

"You go freshen up. I'll make reservations and text you the address," he said.

[cuppa_q]

Q nodded a little, the hesitated a beat before being bold and kissing each man on the cheek in turn.

"I'll look forward to seeing you both later."

[lepidopterologist]

Harry examined the phone and then slid it into his pocket. “I’ll see you both soon,” he said, though as he walked by, it was Q’s arm that he squeezed before exiting the flat.

[0_0_7]

Bond was left alone and simply stood there, staring at the closed door for a long moment. There was much to do. He felt sorry for leaving Jack behind, but he was certain someone would look after the pup. He was a good dog. Q had mentioned going back through the portal to get his cats, but Bond wasn't sure that would even be a possibility.

He set about making reservations. A good table at an intimate little restaurant. He knew he had some time to kill so he got his keys and found his car- God, how he had missed his car- and drove to the restaurant. If he was going to wait, he'd do it with a drink.

Bond texted both Harry and Q to let them know where he was, mentioned the reservation time, then tucked into the bar with a proper martini.

[cuppa_q]

Q had missed his flat, missed his laptop, missed his bed. It was lovely to be home and he took his time in the shower, only to curl up on the bed he'd missed so terribly after. He didn't mean to drift off, but it was only the text from Bond that woke him, and he lazily texted back that he'd be there promptly.

He made a point of dressing himself well, taking more care than usual as he picked a pair of dark slacks, and a nice button down and cardigan. He even took the time to put on his newer glasses, the posh pair, before slipping his mobile and wallet into his pocket and heading out. Usually, he'd have grabbed at the tube, but he wanted to keep himself unwrinkled and instead called an Uber.

The last thing he remembered after that was how nice the car was as it pulled up. Far posher than what usually turned up. ...Then everything sort of just went black.

[lepidopterologist]

Meanwhile, Harry had gone home. Though it still didn't even feel like home, not since his had been blown to pieces while he still had amnesia. He'd lost his antiques, his butterflies, even his dog. So his new townhouse was nice but not yet as well appointed. Mr. Pickles the second was waiting for him excitedly, and he enjoyed some time reaquainting himself with the pup before calling Eggsy and chatting for a while. It was so nice just to hear his voice.

He even (very) briefly entertained the thought of inviting him along to dinner, but... no, definitely not yet. He wasn't even sure if Eggsy knew he was gay, though thought he might have picked up on it by now. But even then, it was quite a leap to go from telling Eggsy that he'd never had a real relationship to introducing him to the two men he was... well, whatever he was.

It was all going to be terribly complicated, but this dinner he supposed was a first step to figuring it out.

When he arrived at the restaurant he looked, arguably, as good as Bond, in one of his many tailored suits. He also had his spare set of connected glasses (though fondly kept the ones Q had made them in his breast pocket), and a Kingsman-issued umbrella. Also a gun, which made him feel fully clothed again.

He saw Bond at the bar and made his way there. "How's the martini?" he asked, sliding into the seat beside him.

[0_0_7]

"Each one tastes better than the last," Bond said. "You should have one. Q ought to be here soon, I should think."

[lepidopterologist]

The bartender walked over, and Harry said, "Same, but with gin."

He looked to Bond. "What is Q's drink? I realize I don't actually know, given our lack of options previously."

[0_0_7]

"Tea, generally," he chuckled. "But he has simple tastes in liquor. Gin and tonic...good gin," he clarified.

[lepidopterologist]

"A man after my own heart," said Harry, coincidentally, just as the bartender placed a perfect gin martini in front of him.

He picked up the glass and turned to James. "What should we toast to?"

[0_0_7]

"To England," Bond smiled. Oh, but his pathetic love of country was something that kept him going through the toughest times. He was pleased to be home.