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

[0_0_7]

"You're fucking Q," he said. "Obviously."

And then he let it go.

"What I'm more concerned about is water purification. We can't expect Nyx to purify enough water for so many."

[lepidopterologist]

"Two of my scientists are working on it," Harry said.

You're fucking Q. He wasn't sure why hearing those words from Bond grated at him so much.

[0_0_7]

"How long?" he asked.

[lepidopterologist]

"Not long, I think," Harry said. "Two days ago I sent a team to find some supplies they requested."

[0_0_7]

"Very good," he nodded.

"If you give me a list of supplies, I'll add to goods to the scouting list," he said. "Be clear. Be exceptionally clear on what you want."

[lepidopterologist]

"All right," said Harry. "I'll ask if there's anything else they need, and get you a list. I agree, it's important."

He took a sip of the scotch. "I see you found a piano somewhere."

[0_0_7]

"There's quite a bit of musical equipment in the store rooms below," he said. "If Q can run power, we can get a sound system going. I think people might enjoy a bit of culture," he said.

"Because it can't all be struggle and survival, Harry. If this is to be our home, if this is to be England, we need more. In fact, I was talking to Kersen about making a run to the National Gallery."

[lepidopterologist]

"That's.... actually a very good idea," conceded Harry. "We're the closest thing to England that still exists. We should save as much as we can."

[0_0_7]

"My thoughts exactly," Bond smiled, pleasantly surprised he didn't have to fight about it.

He thought on that for a moment.

"To the last bastion of England," he said, lifting his glass.

[lepidopterologist]

"To England," said Harry quietly, and clinked his glass. He took a drink. "I confess, you are not who I would have expected to be here with."

[0_0_7]

"Why do you say that?" he asked.

"Or are you simply hoping for a different warlord?" he chuckled.

[lepidopterologist]

"I never expected you to come back into my life in the first place," Harry said. "And then after what happened in my wine cellar I certainly never thought we would be... working together."

[0_0_7]

"Working together," he repeated, then huffed a small laugh.

"It's hardly The Office," he chuckled.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry snorted. "No, I suppose it's not. Though we do have the complicated office romance."

[0_0_7]

"What's so complicated, Harry? We're both fucking Q, who is, let's be honest, manipulating us both."

He sipped his scotch.

"Unless you're jealous."

[lepidopterologist]

"Jealous of who?" Harry snorted before he could stop himself.

[0_0_7]

Bond arched a brow.

"Who, indeed, Harry," he said mildly, letting the man dig himself deeper.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry knocked back a generous swallow of the scotch. "Oh please."

[0_0_7]

"I know you haven't forgotten, Harry," Bond said, moving closer.

Sex was a tool, one he weilded as an expert. He'd loved. Loved now. He wasn't incapable.

But Bond didn't need love for sex.

He needed power.

[lepidopterologist]

Of course he hadn't forgotten. It had been some of the best sex of his life. But he had no delusions that it had been memorable for Bond.

"That doesn't mean I'm jealous, anymore than you are," he said, not quite looking at him.

[0_0_7]

"Q would very much like our alliance to be less tenuous. And if we are going to be allies and create a future, there needs to be trust."

Bond tilted his head and tried to read him.

"What do you need, Harry? An apology? I'm sorry it went that way. I never meant to hurt you." He sipped. "I still think you were wrong, all those years ago. However, I dmire that you've held onto your morals through it all."

It didn't sound particularly complimentary, even though he clearly meant it to be.

[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.