Detail

[0_0_7]

Around the time the rest of Q branch was clearing out to catch to Tube and find their way home before the sun set, Bond wandered in to see if Q was ready.

"They've set the implant for Thursday morning," he said. "Unless something comes up."

As he made his announcement, he picked up a new creation to inspect it.

Comments

[qu4r73rm4573r]

Q glanced up, watching Bond a beat before walking over and gently removing the unfinished weapon from James' hands.

"Glad to hear it," he said as he put it back where it belonged. "I'm ready to leave when you are, double-o seven."

[0_0_7]

Bond was so used to Q simply taking the toys away from him that he gave it up.

"I brought the car around to the door. Did you need to stop anywhere on the way?" he asked.

It was shocking, his ability to act as if nothing had happened at all.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"No, the cats will be waiting to be fed," Q said, shaking his head. "Though I suppose we could stop to pick up food. ...Something from somewhere you like."

His quiet way of apologizing for being so difficult about where they ate before.

[0_0_7]

Bond nodded and waited for Q to gather what he needed. At the door, he went out first, eyes darting around to scan for danger he knew wasn't there.

In the car, the radio played soft music.

"Home soon," he assured him and pulled into traffic.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"You were very convincing back in Mallory's office," Q noted as they drove, for once not making a fuss about driving instead of taking the tube. "Nearly had me worried."

[0_0_7]

Bond looked over at him and smiled.

"Not too much, though?" he asked, just to be sure

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"Perhaps for just a moment," Q said with a hint of a smile.

[0_0_7]

Bond chuckled softly.

"I spent some time at the safehouse while you were working," he said. "If I'm going to be posted, I want to be comfortable."

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"Oh?" Q asked, looking surprised. "Does that just mean you stocked the liquor cabinet?"

[0_0_7]

"That's precisely what it means," he said.

He'd put a Dom in the refrigerator and a selection of wines for dinner, as well as a decent bottle of scotch.

But he'd also brought slippers, his shower things, and other personal details. Not only that, he'd bought Q the same sorts of common comforts. He'd paid attention to the boffin's brands. It wasn't everything, but enough to make a difference.

Bond stayed near the door to put on the slippers while Q took note of what Bond had done.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"You've been very busy," Q noted as he slipped off his shoes, smiling as the cats wandered over to greet them. "Can't say you aren't a stickler for the details."

[0_0_7]

"I pay attention," he said simply.

"And I took the time to expense every single item. That should drive home to M how annoyed I am by this. I only do my expense reports out of spite," he continued as he waited for Q to discover all the things he'd brought in.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"He'll be furious," Q noted, seeing the extra cat food, the booze, the groceries from Q's preferred supermarket...

[0_0_7]

"He can be furious. I offered to take you to my flat, but he refused. If he thinks I won't spend my time in London in comfort, he's an idiot," he said, pouring himself a measure of scotch.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"Wanted me in your flat, did you?" Q teased lightly, wandering a bit closer, growing a bit bolder, stroking his hand down Bond's arm.

[0_0_7]

Bond turned to look at him. HIs gaze was level and weighty.

"Yes," he finally said.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

Q smiled faintly at that, leaning in and brushing his lips against Bond's cheek.

[0_0_7]

"Comfortable enough to forget why you're here?" Bond asked.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"Close," Q smiled.

In truth, he was doing his best not to think on it at all.

[0_0_7]

Bond turned then, pulling Q close to his chest to look in his eyes.

"It's not ideal, I know," he said. "I imagined time together, but not because of this."

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"There's always going to be something like this though. A threat, a problem, a concern..." Q pointed out gently. "That's the life we live."

[0_0_7]

"Always," he agreed.

Bond kissed him then, slow and lingering. His hands smoothed over him and Bond smiled.

"I imagine you have some sort of after work routine, hmm?" he asked.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"Not really," Q admitted. "Sometimes I read, sometimes I code, sometimes I play with the cats..."

Sometimes he hacked into things he shouldn't.

"I don't have a ritual really. Do you?"

[0_0_7]

"Not really, no," he said.

He very purposely grabbed Q's ass.

"I'm sure we can fill the time..."

[qu4r73rm4573r]

Q made a surprised sound, then relaxed with a laugh.

"I'm certain that's true," he agreed, tugging a little on James' tie. "I imagine you can conjure up a good time without having to hardly think about it."