Harry

[0_0_7]

Things were coming together nicely. Harry's people had moved in and after a rather chaotic week of getting everyone settled, things had evened out. The patrols were bringing back necessary items, but also items of luxury and comfort. They'd secured a truck and furniture, clothing, food, copper, and scrap for burning all poured in.

Bond was in his office, going over a ledger. Q and Tanner kept impeccable records and Bond was on top of keeping everything going. He truly hated the task, but he'd do it because it needed done.

The knock on his office door stole his attention.

"Come," he called.

Behind him, the large windows in the luxury box looked out over the pitch where dozens of solar panels were set to catch the sunlight. THe power was easily enough to keep the stadium lit at night. At night, Wembley was a shining beacon in the dark.

He waved Harry in and rose to welcome him in.

"Any hiccups?"

Comments

[lepidopterologist]

Harry genuinely hadn't been fishing for more of an apology in that moment, so it came as even more of a surprise. Especially because it seemed... genuine.

He nodded, in acknowledgment. It was a good enough apology under the circumstances. Even if he'd rather have his eye back.

He took another drink, and then said, "I didn't realize at the time how strongly you felt about my decision. At the time I rather... hoped I might cross paths with you again someday."

[0_0_7]

"My mission was to convince you, Harry. And I failed," he said. "And maybe it would have brought an earlier end to all this. Maybe something would have survived. There's no use in dwelling in the past. In what ifs."

Bond paused a moment to slowly drain his glass.

"Like what if it hadn't been a security violation to see you again."

[lepidopterologist]

Harry most certainly did not want to get into a 'what if' game about weaponizing his technology. He still thought he did the right thing. But that last part....

"You wanted to?"

After he'd seen him again, he'd just been assuming that Bond had hated him all this time, even if he'd decided to put those feelings aside now..

[0_0_7]

Bond looked at him for a moment, then nodded.

"I had my orders," he said quietly.

[lepidopterologist]

"James - "

The name slipped from Harry's lips, but then, uncertain, he looked down, and drained the rest of his glass.

[0_0_7]

"No time for what if, Harry. Only what we do now," he said.

Bond grabbed the bottle to pour some more for them both.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry immediately reached for the glass.

"So what is it that you think we should do now?" he asked. A big question with many interpretations.

[0_0_7]

"I think we create a society," he said simply.

"...I assume you and I see how to accomplish that...differently."

[lepidopterologist]

"Yes, I prefer to do it with less violence," Harry said dryly.

[0_0_7]

"Violence is a tool," he replied.

"We need to see eye to eye, Harry. What would you propose?"

[lepidopterologist]

"I propose creating a society build on mutual care and collective action," Harry said. "Not fear."

[0_0_7]

Bond took a slow breath.

"Traumatized people can't be in charge of themselves. Harry, these are not the days for democracy," Bond pressed.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry's eyebrows shot up. "So you think it should be a dictatorship? I think history suggests that fascism doesn't turn out well."

[0_0_7]

"Then what's the middle ground, Harry? Courts? We'll need laws first. And quickly," he said.

"Without laws, violence solves the problems."

[lepidopterologist]

Harry sighed and rubbed his temples.

“You’re right,” he conceded. “But don’t you think the people here will be more likely to follow the rules if they have a say in them and how things are run? They aren’t children.”

[0_0_7]

"Then I will keep order while you reinvent parliament. The faster you work, the sooner I can retire," he said.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry opened his mouth, then closed it again, then finally said, “Just don’t erect a bloody gallows, James.”

[0_0_7]

"I'm out to save these people, Harry. Not kill them. But without law, there's just order. And I will keep order. England won't fall again," he said firmly.

[lepidopterologist]

“Just… allow me to be the angel on your shoulder, James,” said Harry quietly.

[0_0_7]

"A thankless job, old man," Bond smirked, then took a sip.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry snorted. "I imagine so."

His alcohol tolerance must not be what it once was; he already felt it. "So what are you going to do when we run out of scotch?"

[0_0_7]

Bond smirked lightly.

"Harry..." he said, a bit condescending. "Alcohol is one of the things my men are required to bring back when they scout."

Raid. When Bond's men went out to take what they wanted and needed.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry snorted. "Of course," he said. "Well, I suppose we won't run out for a while. But I hope 2020 is a good vintage."

[0_0_7]

"The best vintage."

The last vintage. The weight of that sat heavily in his heart.

He poured, less generously, for both of them.

"To the future," he said, holding his glass up.

[lepidopterologist]

"To the future," said Harry quietly, and clinked his glass to Bond's.