Q

[0_0_7]

After making the arrangements Bond had booked them on a flight, first class of course, and they jetted off to Japan. THey touched down in Kyoto and a driver took them directly to the exclusive "resort" that catered to a special clientele. On the surface it didn't look like anything out of the ordinary. Lovely traditional architecture and decor, traditional landscaping. Finely appointed rooms, courteous staff...

It was once they were in their room that the little specializations could be found. Secure eye-bolts in the ceiling beams and in the wall above the head of the bed. Rings were secured in the floor boards as well. There were ropes, too. Various lengths and all soft- some silk, some fine cotton, all natural. The art around the room were lovely paintings of figures in various positions of restraint.

"You seem to wonder if I do things because I like them or if it's only because you like them. I like the bondage. I like the control of it and the time. Shibari, as I've read, is art. It's time and intimacy. I'm so glad you agreed to come with me, Q," Bond said once they were alone.

Comments

[0_0_7]

"I'm not, no. I'm really quite confident. In my free moments I've been trying things like creating cuffs and body lacing frames. It's difficult, but not so terribly much," he smiled. "But before the sensei comes we have time to freshen up and have a light meal and tea. Shall I call down for refreshment?"

[quartermaster_q]

"If you like," Q replied, sitting down on the bed and studying the other man with a faint smile. "I'm but your humble companion this time, Bond."

[0_0_7]

"I like that. I want to take you somewhere we haven't been to yet. I want...I won't untie you. I want your submission. Your trust. I want this to be good for the both of us," he said warmly, stroking Q's cheek.

[quartermaster_q]

Q leaned into the touch, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply.

"Yes, alright. I'll submit to you, James- If you're certain you're ready to take that step."

[0_0_7]

"I am," he replied with quiet confidence. "I'll do my very best, Q. I believe Hex has shown me enough to know what to do."

[quartermaster_q]

"Then we should set some ground rules. A safe word, my limits- And your limits. I need to know if you'll feel threatened if I fight back, or if you want my complete submission. You need to know that I have rules about certain kinds of play," Q noted, wetting his lips, then getting to his feet.

"Order us some tea, and we can talk about it."

[0_0_7]

Bond knew this was a discussion they needed to have, but it was something he'd known in theory. The realitiy of it made his belly flutter.

He went to the phone and ordered up tea which was brought promptly. Bond settled on a cushion at a low table, across for Q. It was, after all, a negotiation.

[quartermaster_q]

Q sipped his tea, looking thoughtful as he tried to decide where they ought to start.

"My word will be magenta, I'll only use it if I absolutely must," he announced, deciding to get that out of the way first. "I need to know how much resistance you want. Do you want me to obey you completely, right away- Or would you rather I put up some resistance here and there?" he asked, feeling certain Bond wouldn't want too much fight or disobedience.

[0_0_7]

"I don't want you to fight tonight. You can be crisp and I don't mind a bit of cheek, but you'll obey me," he said. "We'll save the fight for when I know better just what I'm doing. Just what my own limits are. Will you agree to that?" he asked, sipping from his cup.

[quartermaster_q]

"Yes," Q nodded, considering things for a moment as he sipped his tea.

"I'd like some warning if you intend to experiment or dabble in new kinds of play. ...Water, asphyxiation, blood- Anything like that, I expect you to let me know your intention before proceeding."

[0_0_7]

Bond waved his hand even as Q was speaking.

"No, no...nothing like that. Not tonight. Tonight is all about the rope and the control and the contact. I want this to be...intimate."

[quartermaster_q]

"Yes, but you said you intend to keep me bound," Q replied. "Just because you have no intention of taking things very far tonight, that doesn't mean it shouldn't be touched on. If you want the game to go on, we should discuss things that may happen in the future. It will allow us to continue on without breaking the mood."

[0_0_7]

Leave it to Q to think three steps ahead. Bond was so focused on the moment, the now, that he wasn't thinking beyond that.

"Of course. When it goes on, when I have you tomorrow to myself, and the days after..."

He paused and took a slow sip of tea, letting scenarios run through his mind.

"No blood play, but maybe breath. I'll most certainly bathe you. And too much cheek will earn you a beating."

[quartermaster_q]

"That's fair," Q agreed with a nod. "Is there anything you want to add? Anything you need to know, Bond?" he pressed, studying the man with that strangely serine look of concentration he so often wore.

[0_0_7]

"I need to know what you'd prefer I don't do. Envelopes I shouldn't push," he asked. "I don't want to make you say the word."

[quartermaster_q]

"Alright. ...Saliva and seminal fluids are fine, but I find the idea urine and faecal matter to be uncouth and not at all arousing. Asphyxiation is fine, though I prefer suffocation to strangulation. You see, the skin on my neck is quite delicate- It bruises and marks easily," he explained, with the same airy and casual tone he might use while giving directions or speaking of the weather. "Also, I would appreciate if you were mindful of my hands and wrists. I don't mind being bound- in fact, it's something I enjoy- However, I need you to keep an eye on my circulation. My hands are my livelihood after all- They're my best weapon."

[0_0_7]

Bond smiled at that and reached across the table to take Q's hand.

"Your best weapon?" he asked. "I thought that was me."

[quartermaster_q]

A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of the Quartermaster's lips.

"I suppose that's true- They're still quite necessary though, and terribly delicate," he added, wiggling his fingers a little.

[0_0_7]

"Terribly so," Bond agreed, pulling Q's fingers to his lips so he could kiss them lightly. Then he let go, leaned back, and took up his tea again.

"I'm in charge until we leave the resort," he said. "We can go back to normal when we leave but while we're here, beginning when the tea is done, I'm in charge."

[quartermaster_q]

"I thought you were always under the delusion you were in charge," Q teased, his tone mild and placid as ever. "I'm not sure if I'm disappointed or relieved to learn that isn't the case."

[0_0_7]

"I'm quite aware of where I stand with you, Q," Bond noted calmly. Like any well trained dog he knew when to attack and when to heel. He didn't even need to be told when he was in charge, when Q was, and when it had to appear he was to protect Q as puppet-master.

[quartermaster_q]

Perhaps that's why I believe you'll value this more than most might. The men I've dabbled with, they've always assumed that they could have power over me anywhere, at any time. Even Hex, as good a man, and as good a dom as he might be- He needs to care and control at all times. He needs order, he needs to feel sure of himself. ...But not you. At least not with me. Even when we first met, I spoke out of turn and you could have swatted me down and reminded me that you were the one with experience, that you were older, stronger, and arguably more knowledgeable- Yet you didn't. You simply reminded me of my place. Not beneath you, but in tangent."

[0_0_7]

Bond poured himself a bit more tea and emptied the small ceramic pot into Q's cup.

"And," he said softly. "I love you."

[quartermaster_q]

"You're not the first to love me Bond," Q replied without thinking, so stuck on his logic and reasoning that it took him a beat to realize words like that deserved something just as honest and raw in return.

"You are, however, the first man I have loved in return in a very long time," he added softly.

[0_0_7]

The first statement was a slap in the face but Bond's ego was quickly soothed when Q said he was the first in a very long time to earn Q's love in return.

"Drink your tea," he said. "Unless there's more to discuss."