Q

[0_0_7]

Saturday morning was beautiful The sun was bright, the air chilly, and mist hovered on the surface of the water so it seemed as if the school was surrounded on all sides by a cloud.

Bond had gone for a run, first around campus and then into town. He was just emerging from the fog blanketing the bridge when he spotted Q. He slowed to a jog, then finally stopped near him.

"I can't believe you're awake this early," he said. "I didn't wake you up, did I?"

He hardly wanted to admit it, but he rather liked Q in his bed at night. He liked the lad in his rooms all the time. He enjoyed chatting with him. Enjoyed spending time in silence. And he enjoyed waking up with the weight of Q's limbs on him.

Comments

[cuppa_q]

"It's dark magic though, isn't it?" Q asked, perhaps a bit cautious.

[0_0_7]

"According to the ministry," he replied. "Did it scare you?"

[cuppa_q]

"Yes," Q replied, without hesitation, looking over at James and trying to look into those ice blue eyes- though it was impossible when the other man was so focused on the road.

A beat went by, and he wet his lips with a quick flick of his tongue before saying something more.

"...But I liked it," he admitted quietly.

[0_0_7]

Bond was quiet for a moment, a small smile tugging on the corner of his mouth.

"That was how I felt the first time. And the joy was stronger than the fear."

[cuppa_q]

"Constantine said it's dangerous," Q noted. "...That it could be deadly," he added, glancing over at Bond again.

[0_0_7]

"Do you trust me, Quinton?" Bond asked quietly, quite seriously.

[cuppa_q]

"I do. ...Is that a mistake?" he asked in return.

[0_0_7]

"Only you can decide that," he said. "But I have no interest in harming you. I know what I doing. I can show you wonderful things."

[cuppa_q]

Q shifted in his seat a little, looking out the window so Bond couldn't see the hint of pink in his cheeks.

"Perhaps you could show me something tonight. Something new."

[0_0_7]

Bond stole a glance, only catching a portion of Q's profile. Then he looked back to the road.

"Alright," he said, paused, then smiled.

"I knew you'd take advantage the second I told you not to," he mentioned casually.

[cuppa_q]

"If you didn't like me taking advantage you'd have cut me loose the first time," Q countered, certain that much was true.

[0_0_7]

"Love makes men stupid," he answered casually, slowing a bit as they entered another village. It was bigger, a preview of the city to come.

[cuppa_q]

Q was silent for a while after that, but eventually he spoke again.

"Do you really love me?" he asked quietly. "You don't strike me as a man prone to romantic fancy."

[0_0_7]

"You'll be sorely disappointed if you're looking for a romance. But yes. I do. Against my better judgment...I love you quite deeply," he confessed.

[cuppa_q]

Q was silent for another beat, then looked back over.

"I love you too."

[0_0_7]

"Then we're in agreement," he said quietly after a moment. "I was thinking about it this morning as I watched you sleep. How foolish this is. But I find I'd rather be here with you than without."

[cuppa_q]

"And I you," Q said, shifting in his seat so he was partly facing Bond.

"We could stay in the city tonight," he noted. "Have a meal, stay in a hotel. You clearly have the money for it. ...And it would be nice to enjoy one another away from the school."

[0_0_7]

Bond considered that for a moment, then nodded.

"A hotel and dinner would be nice," he agreed. He'd stayed at one hotel in the city he'd quite enjoyed, and he'd had the opportunity to try out several restaurants.

You have the money told him so much about Q. He thought it might be interesting to see how he reacted to the lifestyle Bond was accustomed to.

[cuppa_q]

Q was a little surprised that Bond agreed, but he did smile a little. Money wasn't really important to him, but the idea that someone would be willing to indulge him was. No one ever had before.

[0_0_7]

They rolled into a small town right before getting onto the M and Bond stopped for petrol. He opened his wallet and handed Q a few notes.

"Go inside and get me something to drink. And sweets. Some smarties, I think," he said, pressing much too much money into Q's hand.

[cuppa_q]

Q was a bit startled by the amount of money, but nodded a little, heading into the small convenience shop and selecting a drink and some smarties for Bond. ...Was he supposed to get himself something? Bond hadn't said to, and he decided he shouldn't. He wasn't comfortable spending money that wasn't his.

He returned a short while later with the things James had requested and the ample change.

"Here," he said, handing them over.

[0_0_7]

Bond wasn't really surprised Q had returned having one exactly as he was told. Bond took the money and treats and climbed back into the car.

He opened the packet as Q got settled, then put one to his lips.

"Thank you, Q," he said as he gave the lad his reward.

[cuppa_q]

Q parted his lips to accept the sweet, holding Bond's gaze as he let his lips graze the man's fingertips. He took a long moment to chew and swallow before speaking.

"How long before we're in the city?" he asked.

[0_0_7]

"Not long. While you were inside I made reservations," he said. He'd booked the St. David suite at the hotel and had arranged dinner at La Cuina, hoping Q might like to try something a bit more posh than he was clearly used to.

"We're going to have to pop to a shop to get you something to wear,though. You'll need a dinner jacket at the very least."

[cuppa_q]

Q looked a little worried, glancing down at himself.

"James, I can't afford new clothes right now," he admitted. "I suppose I could glamour what I'm wearing..."