Harry

[0_0_7]

Things had settled into a rhythm once they'd returned. Bond had increased patrols, scouting farther and farther out from the stadium. People would join him, or they'd be sorry. His teams had no problems raiding. And they gladly killed when need be. Bond had, in fact, ordered no mercy.

He'd only barely spoken to Q of what they'd gone through, and had solidly not spoken about it to Harry. In fact, it had become a bit suspicious how he always seemed to be unavailable to the man.

But when there was a knock on his door and he opened it to see Harry, his stomach dropped as he realized it was a conversation he could no longer avoid.

"Come in," he said, stepping out of the way for Harry to enter.

Comments

[lepidopterologist]

"Ah, I see you still exist after all," Harry said dryly as he stepped inside. "I heard rumors, but I was beginning to wonder."

[0_0_7]

"I've been busy," he said, which wasn't a lie. He'd simply been doing it on purpose recently.

"Would you like a drink?"

[lepidopterologist]

"Yes," said Harry. "Though I should warn you, a drink will not automatically make it easier for you to bullshit me."

[0_0_7]

"Why would you assume I'm going to bullshit you, Harry?" he chuckled. There was no avoiding this now.

He poured from his best bottle.

"I've been busy."

[lepidopterologist]

"Clearly," said Harry. Then he sighed. "Look, whatever it is that you don't want to talk about..."

[0_0_7]

"What, that I failed you both and nearly lost everything we're working to create? No, it's a conversation I'd prefer not to have," he said before downing his entire glass.

[lepidopterologist]

"James," said Harry softly. "That isn't true."

[0_0_7]

"I didn't protect him, and I put you in a position no kind man should ever be put in, Harry," he replied, pouring another. "How is that not failing you both?"

[lepidopterologist]

"Q isn't some damsel in distress," Harry said. "And you're not his bodyguard. And I... " He rubbed the back of his neck. "None of it was your fault."

[0_0_7]

"And you," he said, pointing at him as he lifted his glass. "You killed men, Harry. In the worst possible scenario. It should have been me. You're both my responsibility."

[lepidopterologist]

Harry frowned. "What about being equals? Why is it your job to take care of me but not my job to take care of you? Because that's exactly what I did. And yes, it was upsetting. It still is. But I'd do it again. For either of you."

[0_0_7]

"You shouldn't have had to, Harry. You and Q are everything to me. What good am I if I can't keep you safe?" Bond said, quiet and tightly restrained.

[lepidopterologist]

That last part... But Harry didn't comment on it, just hesitated, and then said, "And I just mean, why does it have to be you? I know you think neither of us can take care of ourselves, but... I'm not as helpless as you seem to think I am."

[0_0_7]

"I don't think you're helpless," Bond snapped. He took a sip to calm himself. "You shouldn't have to."

[lepidopterologist]

“Because, for some reason, you think it’s all on you,” Harry said.

[0_0_7]

"If not me, who?!" Bond shouted.

[lepidopterologist]

“Me,” Harry snapped. “Christ.”

[0_0_7]

"It shouldn't have to be you, Harry! You're better than that!" he said, almost shouting before he sat his glass down hard.

"You shouldn't have to deal with the ugliness."

[lepidopterologist]

"James." Harry crossed the short distance between them and put his hands on his face. "The ugliest thing would be to have to have to do this without you."

[0_0_7]

Bond closed his eyes.

"One day the world will be gentle again, Harry," he said quietly, as if he said it aloud it might actually happen.

[lepidopterologist]

"Perhaps," said Harry softly. And then he sighed. "I have to confess, James, I... as much as I hated every moment, as I wish I hadn't had to do it, part of me also hoped I might have impressed you."

[0_0_7]

"Your marksmanship was impeccable, Harry. But what impresses me is what you're building. Not what you're capable of destroying."

He took another sip slowly.

"It would have been incredibly attractive under different circumstances."

[lepidopterologist]

Harry wasn't sure what to say to that. "Well maybe now you have less to worry about," he said. "With me. If I go off..." Or more likely, if he was taken. "Don't come after me. Okay?"

[0_0_7]

"Don't go off," he said sharply. "No one goes out alone. Never again. No one."

[lepidopterologist]

Harry sighed. "All right, James."

Then he moved closer again, took the glass out of Bond's hand, and set it on the table. Then wrapped his arms around him.