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

[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?"

[0_0_7]

"Mmm. Events," he nodded. "Do you remember the zoo? Do you remember breakfast? Do you remember my bed?"

As he asked his questions, his voice dropped- lower, softer.

"Do you remember calling me James?" he asked, his breath warm against Q's neck as he spoke near his ear. "No...because if you did, you wouldn't wonder why I love you."

[qu4r73rm4573r]

Q's breath hitched slightly- Which was absurd, given he didn't breathe.

"I don't remember," he said. "I'm sorry. I wish I did. I want to."

And he didn't understand why they would take that from him. It seemed cruel.

[0_0_7]

Bond turned his head just enough to whisper against Q's ear.

"I want you to," he said, sliding his palm along Q's side. "I want you, Q."

[qu4r73rm4573r]

It was so blunt, so forward- And Q was grateful for it. He liked how direct Bond was.

"I want you too," he realized. Something about that touch was familiar, intoxicating... Thrilling.

[0_0_7]

"That's where we began," he said softly. "Whatever you wanted..."

He kissed him then, remembering in detail what Q had enjoyed the most the night they'd said goodbye.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

Q moaned into the kiss, holding on a little tighter. Bond's lips weren't the only ones he was remembering though. ...There was someone else. Maybe more than one. All erased.

The taste of Bond was comforting though, intoxicating...

[0_0_7]

"I can't get you out of my head," he confessed. "There's something about you..."

His hands grew bolder, searching for skin.