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

[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..."

[0_0_7]

Bond snorted a soft laugh and shook his head.

"Q. You're mine. And part of being mine means I'll take care of you," he said. "If I want you to wear a dinner jacket, I'll provide it. You don't need to be concerned."

[cuppa_q]

Q considered that. There was an appeal to being taken care of, though he knew there would be a price at some point. Some odd fetish, filthy demands... But it was James, and Q was willing to do nearly anything if the other man asked. Not for the clothes or money, or anything else- Those were just perks. No, he wanted to do it because he enjoyed James, that was all he really needed.

Though a nice dinner really made it more appealing, to be honest.

"Alright," he replied, sinking down in his seat and watching James as they drove on.

[0_0_7]

Once they were on the M, Bond laid on the gas. They may as well have been on the Autobahn for as little disregard he had for speed limits.

The car was built for speed, though, and she purred like a kitten as they practically floated along. He didn't slow down until traffic clogged up at the edge of Cardiff.

"Mechanic first," he said as he checked his watch. "We have plenty time."

[cuppa_q]

Q nodded a little, quiet as they pulled into the garage, where they were told they wouldn't be able to pick up the car until tomorrow, and offered a lender.

"Good thing you booked a room," Q said as they waited for the keys. "I wonder what they think might be amiss. It seemed fine on the road..."

[0_0_7]

"God only knows," Bond shrugged. "I can fix many things. Cars are not one of them."

He strolled to the loaner and opened the door for Q.

"It's early yet. We'll get a bite, something light, and get you some clothes. Have you been to Cardiff? I could show you some sights."

[cuppa_q]

"Once, a long time ago."

Quinton rarely shared things about his life, but after a moment he decided it was safe to offer a crumb.

"...When I was sixteen I met someone online and came here to meet them in person," he admitted.

[0_0_7]

"Was it everything you dreamed it would be?" Bond asked, then promptly shut the door. It gave Q time to decide how to answer as he walked around and made a face when he slid into the driver's seat.

This was not a car he would have chosen.

"Well?" he asked, awaiting the answer.

[cuppa_q]

"I'm not even sure what I dreamed it would be," Q admitted. "At the time it was exciting. I had an itch- I was... I had just begun to understand my sexual interests, but I was also sixteen. I didn't understand the importance of having at least some limitations. A way out, at the very least. ...He knew that. Took advantage, somewhat. He had a very specific fetish and was clever enough to know a young and hopeful sub would go along with it to get a taste of what they wanted in return. ...He had a thing for trainers, and while I indulged him to get my own itch scratched, I admitted it wasn't exactly my favourite part of the evening. ...So he ghosted me. No doubt found someone else young and new to the scene to try it with," he shrugged.

[0_0_7]

Bond listened as he left the garage and headed for a shop he knew that would have something for Q, or be able to make alterations within the hour.

"A mistake I hope you didn't make again," he said.

[cuppa_q]

"No. No, but the next mistake I made was significantly worse," Q admitted.

He wasn't sure he was ready to talk about that though, and so he didn't.

"It's a nice city, isn't it? Though to be honest, I prefer London. I've always hoped I might move there after uni."

[0_0_7]

"I miss London," he said, then got lost in thought a moment. The last time he'd been he'd been told he wasn't welcome. That his tastes in magic and philosophies on power were not in alignment of the ministry. Since then, he'd kept a low profile at the school.

But now, with Hotchner sniffing around, he was growing concerned.

Nothing he'd burden Q with, so he drove on.

[cuppa_q]

Silently Q entertained a little fantasy, where he and James shared some lovely flat. Where they woke up every morning and shared good strong tea and perfectly cooked eggs. Where they fell asleep on some plush sofa after watching crap late night telly and eating take out. ...Complete fiction. Something he knew he couldn't have.

Best to just enjoy what he could.

"Do you think you'll ever move back?" he asked, before he could stop himself.

[0_0_7]

"That's the dream," he said, snapping out of his concerns. "I have a house. It's shut up, but I can't part with it."

He looked over at him.

"Perhaps when I retire things will go in my favor."

[cuppa_q]

"I'd like to see it one day," Q said, though it didn't sound like a request, more like a quiet hope. Something he knew he probably wouldn't get.

[0_0_7]

"If I ever go, I'll take you," he said. In fact, though he wouldn't tell Q yet, he had an expectation the lad would be at his side wherever he went. He quite enjoyed the idea of a companion.

A partner.

[cuppa_q]

Q was surprised, and it showed on his face.

"I'd like that," was all he said though.

[0_0_7]

Bond pointed out an interesting building and went on, telling Q of a bit of history of magic in Cardiff. He warned him of fae and went off on a bit of a rant about the ugly glass towers that didn't have the beauty of the older architecture. He didn't let Q speak, he only went on, filling the silence.

Bond was a man of few words, but only because most people he didn't deem worth talking to. The more he got to know Q, the more he wanted to share with him. His thoughts. His knowledge. His ambitions.

He finally pulled into a spot in front of a bespoke shop that had ready to wear available.

"I think this tailor will suit your tastes," he smiled and led him inside.

[cuppa_q]

Q listened, savouring every last word like it was a rare treat. Something to treasure. James wasn't chatty, so when he did speak it felt so much more important to listen.

The shop wasn't the sort of place Q would ever step foot in, but it was nice. Full of expensive looking suits and shirts. Designer, by the look of them.

"I don't know anything about fashion," he confessed quietly.

[0_0_7]

"I know the trousers go on the bottom," Bond smirked, guiding him in with a firm hand on the small of his back.

A trim young man with frosted hair and a dainty earring approached them. He and Bond exchanged pleasantries and while he recognized Bond as a customer, the way he sized Q up said he'd dressed enough younger men with men who weren't their fathers paying the tab.

"May I take him?" he asked Bond, who smiled slowly. He looked at Q.

"Whatever you like," he told him, then looked at the clerk. "We're going to La Cuina for dinner. Make certain he's appropriate."

Q was led away to look at fabrics and cuts.

"You like him?" he casually asked. "Because I can make him bleed. Men like him never care about the price tag as long as you look good on their heel."

[cuppa_q]

Q looked a bit surprised by that, and briefly glanced back at Bond who was eying a rather nice suit.

"I like him very much, actually. ...So let's not go mad," Q replied. "Though I confess, I don't actually know what I should even be shopping for, other than a jacket or whatever."

Q's own taste was a tad bit quirky. Unusual sweaters, cardigans that would look at home in a librarian's wardrobe. Geek chic, some kinder souls would call it.

[0_0_7]

"Oh, honey, if he gives you nothing else, you'll have a great suit at the end," he smiled and began offering Q fabrics and a book of photos. Many were very standard business suits, but the deeper they went, the more interesting and quirky the designs were. But he didn't offer him anything to try on.

"I think this cut or this cut would be most flattering on you," he said as a tailor came out and directed Q in front of a triple mirror with strong lighting. "If you let Georges know the fabrics you like for the shell and the lining, he'll get it started and we can have it done by the time you finish your lunch."