Q

[0_0_7]

He'd returned the file now that they had what they needed. Bond picked up some of Q's favorite biscuits on the way home.

Bond was trying his best to give Q time and space, to not push him or hound him. He knew the man needed time. He simply wasn't the most gentle of people and feared he was going to make everything worse.

So.

Biscuits.

"Well, hello, darling. Are you starving to death? Wasting away?" he asked the cat that wound around his ankles the moment he stepped inside.

Comments

[cuppa_q]

Q wrinkled his nose.

In the moment he seemed so normal. Completely fine. ...Then one of the cats knocked something off the counter. The glass didn't shatter, instead hitting the floor with a deep and echoing thud, and the boffin flinched before going completely still. As though waiting to be struck. Panic was plain to see in his eyes, his breathing quicker, his hands unsteady. In an instant he was another man entirely.

Or, perhaps just a frightened boy.

[0_0_7]

Bond's fork paused halfway to his mouth.

"Breathe, Q. It was just a cup, I think."

[cuppa_q]

Q exhaled with a shudder, nodding and doing his best to appear calm.

"Sorry."

[0_0_7]

"You're getting worse," he noted, gently as he could. "I think we've exhausted what help Harry and I can give you, Q. We've been through it, but I don't think you'd consider either of us healthy for what happened to us. I'd like for your outcome to be different.

[cuppa_q]

"I'm fine," Q insisted. "Please don't make me speak about this with some stranger," he begged softly.

"I promise I can work through this."

[0_0_7]

"I'm sorry, Q, but we're going to insist. Harry and I have been waiting for this, honestly. We agreed you need help. Out patient...or inpatient. Your choice," he said, kind but firm.

[cuppa_q]

"Please don't do this," Q said softly. "I've only just regained my freedom. Don't take this from me. I flinch sometimes, I have bad dreams, sometimes I struggle... But my work is still good, I'm still active and intimate with you and Harry. I'm doing as good as anyone could hope to, surely."

He looked genuinely distressed by the idea that Harry and James might conspire to rob him of his freedom. That they'd even consider having him taken away.

[0_0_7]

"Q. Be realistic. You've barely been going to work. You don't go out. You're suffering whether you see it or not and we won't stand for it. We love you too much to watch you shatter slowly," Bond said. "Even if we have someone come here, you need help."

[cuppa_q]

"I've taken less than the recommended time off!" Q argued. "I have bad days, but I'm... I will speak to someone if and when I choose."

He seemed genuinely upset then, getting to his feet and storming off.

He didn't care what James' intentions were, he wouldn't be controlled. He knew what he needed and how he needed to heal better than anyone else.

[0_0_7]

That went well. It actually went better than he'd anticipated.

Bond went to the bar and poured himself a drink. The cat rubbed his ankle.

"At least you still like me," he said. She turned and thrust her behind up at him.