Q

[0_0_7]

He'd had the idea and had made arrangements before he'd ever come to the station. Meeting Q had made him wonder if it might be a mistake, then he decided...no. No, this was perfect.

The cat was sleek and lanky, still a kitten but well done with its mother and curious about everything. Bond admired the creature, then loaded a hover-skin with a few essentials he'd also secured. Litter pan, dishes, toys.

All the cat needed was a home and Bond had no intention of it living with him.

The skid hovered beside him as he waited at Q's door, the kitten's carrier covered with a silver privacy blanket. For the moment, it was quiet. Bond wondered if the creature would announce itself before he could even present it.

Comments

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"Come in," Q called.

The droid was currently in the kitchen staring at a cake that R from Q branch had given him. It was large, covered in white frosting and rainbow sprinkles, and she'd insisted he try it tonight and tell her what he thought tomorrow. Apparently the idea that he had never had a birthday cake was almost offensive to her. It was pretty though, clearly made by hand. Cutting into it meant spoiling it... He didn't want to spoil it.

[0_0_7]

Bond walked in with the skid following. The door closed behind him.

"A cake?" he asked, confused a bit a the sight of it.

There was a rustling under the silver blanket.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"A member of Q branch was deeply upset to learn I'd never had a birthday cake, so she made one," Q explained, his gaze shifting to the blanket.

"What is that?" he asked.

[0_0_7]

"A gift," he said.

He reached for the cover and pulled it away, revealing the carrier and supplies.

The cat meowed.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

Q looked startled- Then thrilled.

"A cat! You have a cat, that's wonderful. What's their name?" Q asked, kneeling down for a better look, and offering his hand for it to sniff through the carrier.

[0_0_7]

"You</> have a cat," he corrected. "The name is your first responsibility."

He smiled, his heart swelling at how happy Q was.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"She's for me?" Q asked, looking surprised and letting the animal out of her crate.

The cat meowed softly, giving Q another sniff, then rubbing against him. Q was sure he'd never smiled so much in his life. ...Not that he'd had a lot of life, but still.

"I'm going to call her... Nova," he decided.

[0_0_7]

"Beautiful," Bond smiled.

A moment later, he pulled the cover back a bit more to reveal everything Nova would indeed to thrive.

"I had hoped you'd like her," he said warmly.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"I love her," Q said softly. "I'll take the best care of her, Double-O Seven."

He stroked her a few times, then let her be, watching her explore. He was quiet as he set up her things, making sure she could find it all, then returning to Bond.

"Would you like to share some cake?" he asked.

[0_0_7]

"I would love some cake," he smiled.

Nova came close and rubbed against his ankle, then moved to Q, then wandered away.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"R made it," Q said, picking up the knife, but still struggling to cut into it. "It feels too lovely to destroy."

[0_0_7]

Bond admired it, then reached past Q and smeared his finger in the frosting, ruining the perfection of it.

"R did a good job," he smiled.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

Q looked a bit sad when he smeared the icing, but at least now he had no excuse to cut.

He cut them each a slice, slipping it onto plates and offering one to Bond.

"Happy birthday to me, I suppose," he smiled.

[0_0_7]

"Happy birthday, Q," Bond said warmly, leaning in to kiss him and only barely missing his mouth to land on his cheek.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

Q ducked his head, looking a bit embarrassed and smiling to himself.

"Thank you," he said, taking a bite of his cake and considering it. It was nice. Sickly sweet and lovely.

"Birthdays are lovely," he decided.

[0_0_7]

"Did you select the day? Or did R?" he asked, using his finger again to taste more frosting.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"R said we were just celebrating a little late," Q replied, watching Bond lick the frosting from his finger, and finding it oddly arousing.

[0_0_7]

"I see," he nodded. "How lucky I came with a gift, hmm?"

The cake was actually quite nice. Bond was almost certain it wasn't replicated.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"She's a wonderful gift. I love her," Q said honestly. "How odd is that? To have only met moments ago and feel so strongly already."

[0_0_7]

Bond looked pointedly at Q.

"Falling in love takes no time at all, sometimes," he purred.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

That made him feel something very new, and Q shivered a little as he wet his lips with a little flick of his tongue.

"I suppose that must be true."

[0_0_7]

"It is," Bond assured him.

He put his cake aside, needing both hands to take hold of Q.

"Incredibly fast..."

[qu4r73rm4573r]

Q was stunned still for a moment, then awkwardly put his plate down.

"Tell me," he said, the words a plea as much as a demand. "Tell me what I can't remember about you. Us."

[0_0_7]

For an eternity, Bond wasn't sure what to say. The truth felt strange, but it always did.

"I fell in love with you," he said.

"And I lied to them...omitted...but they changed you. They knew. By the end of the week it was obvious to me you were..."

He looked him up and down.

"Sentient."

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"My code was not altered," Q assured him, wondering what made Bond think it was. If anything, it was even more improved. "Events were deleted, not code, James. ...I don't understand though, you were in love?"