Leo

[0_0_7]

Sunday was a beautiful day. Far too nice to be indoors. But Bond had been itching for this opportunity all week and when Sunday arrived he found himself at Rooks Manor with take away lunch at noon. He rang the bell and the butler let him in. Bond barely spoke to him- he was only the help.

When Leo emerged, Bond smiled pleasantly.

"I brought food. I thought we could enjoy a bite and keep this relaxed," he said warmly.

Comments

[0_0_7]

"It's not common, but it does happen," he nodded, paused, then added, "I had no intention of seducing you, you realize. I genuinely mean to help you, Leo."

[leo_rooks]

"Oh, no. I- Sorry. I understand how that must have sounded, but I wasn't thinking about you, James," Leo assured him.

[0_0_7]

"Ah," he smiled. A good thing, too. He wanted Rooks' secrets, not his son.

He had Q coming tomorrow. That thought made his small smile grow.

"Are you considering an ill advised relationship, or boosting your marks?" he asked.

[leo_rooks]

"I... I feel like I might have connected with someone," Leo admitted.

[0_0_7]

"Dare I ask who?" he asked, slowly setting his food back in the box.

[leo_rooks]

"I shouldn't say," Leo admitted. "I just need to know how dangerous that would be."

[0_0_7]

"No one's ever been fired," he said, then thought better of leaving it on a callous note. "And you must consider the danger of a broken heart. There's no future with a professor. Especially not for someone of your standing."

[leo_rooks]

"Why not?" Leo asked. "It's not as though I intend to have an heir."

[0_0_7]

"Leo, lad..." Bond said, kind and yet a bit condescending, "...Your name is going to open opportunities for you. I can help you make connections. You don't need to lose the life you're accustomed to."

[leo_rooks]

"Money isn't an issue," He assured Bond. "Even if it was... I dunno how much I care about all that."

[0_0_7]

"I don't mean the money, Leo," Bond said gently. "I mean the power."

[leo_rooks]

"What would I do with power?" Leo snorted.

[0_0_7]

"Anything you like, my boy. Anything you like," he replied with soft chuckle.

[leo_rooks]

Leo took another bite of his sandwich, looking thoughtful.

"What would you do with power?" he asked after a beat.

[0_0_7]

"First, I'd learn all I could," he said. "There is no greater power than knowledge."

He kept how he might wield it to himself.

[leo_rooks]

"To what end?" Leo asked curiously. "What's the end goal? Surely something motivates you."

[0_0_7]

"Power itself is my motivation, Leo. Knowledge enough and power enough to do as I please, when I please," he said. "No master."

[leo_rooks]

Leo raised a brow at that. It sounded a lot like something his father might have said.

"Might not want the ministry to hear that."

[0_0_7]

"Would you be shocked to hear that others in the ministry feel the same?" Bond asked casually.

[leo_rooks]

"Are you implying there's some sort of uprising afoot?" Leo asked, finishing his sandwich.

[0_0_7]

"Not everyone who craves power wants to conquer the world like your father, Leo. Power, knowledge...these things aren't inherently bad," he explained kindly.

"Do you think Minister Grubley got to where he is without some...ambition?"

[leo_rooks]

Leo shrugged, because he honestly had no idea.

[0_0_7]

"Ambition is a good servant but a bad master, Mr. Rooks. Cromwell knew that- not that he listened. Ambition can take you to such heights, if you have the will," Bond said kindly.

[leo_rooks]

"And what if I have no ambitions?" Leo asked seriously.

[0_0_7]

"None? Is that possible/" he asked, genuinely a bit confused by such a sentiment.