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]

"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."

[0_0_7]

"You certainly think highly of me, Q," Bond chuckled warmly.

"Not every moment is thrilling," he insisted.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"No? I find you nothing less than a thrill, James. Even when you're making toast," Q replied.

[0_0_7]

Bond looked dubious, then shook his head with a laugh.

"Oh dear," he murmured before kissing him again.

He'd been thinking of this all day. Kissing him, at length, in privacy, and he had the excuse that he was supposed to be here. It was perfect.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"Take me to bed," Q whispered against his lips. "If I'm to be trapped, at least I'm trapped with you, in a nice bed, with good wine and soft pyjamas."

[0_0_7]

Bond caught hold of him and lifted him off the floor, kissing his neck as he carried him toward the bedroom.

"Reminds me of fishing off St. Martin," he laughed when Q wasn't perfectly still.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"Oi, I'm not a fish," Q laughed, deliberately squirming a little bit more.

[0_0_7]

Bond held on until he was laughing too much and Q wriggled just so and he set him down.

"Are you sure?" he asked. "Haven't you always wanted to be stuffed and mounted?"

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"Want to hang me on the wall, do you?" Q asked with a laugh. "Don't think you could put those supplies on the expense account."

Tonight he seemed so playful and flirtatious, but then there was a crack of thunder outside, and the boffin's whole body seemed to tense and flinch. His pulse quickened, and it wasn't until the rain began to patter against the windows did he seem to calm down.

[0_0_7]

"Not a fan of storms?" Bond asked after the third crash and third flich that Q couldn't entirely hide from him.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"I don't usually mind them," Q said, a quiet way of admitting he was still a bit shaken from the explosion.