Q

[0_0_7]

There are men in the world who prey on boys and girls, who capture them and take them and thos innocents become slaves. These walking piles of shit and money can get away with it because of names and titles, because of cash and reputation. And to serve them there are slavers. Oh, in this modern age they've been sanitized to 'traffickers' but it doesn't change what they are.

Once, years ago, a boy with red hair and mismatched eyes brought a fair price. Not that Bond knew that. But the man at the other end of the club in the black shirt with the hidden gun, he knew. He was watching the same man the double-o was.

Bond and Q had come together mostly because Q was the kind who could get them in and Bond was the kind who'd follow along as the boffin's musle. It wasn't uncommon. The club was a headphone club and they were issued pairs to plug into receivers. That way the crowd could dance to the same music without the neighbors complaining of any heavy bass.

But before dancing Bond took Q to get a drink.

"See him?" he asked.

Comments

[quartermaster_q]

"My current theory is that we were fed false information by an unknown party in hopes that you'd take Tony out of the equation," Q said calmly, offering Tony a tissue and an apologetic wince. "There's no seller here. Unless you have some competition we're unaware of."

Tony took the tissue, then shook his head. "Not anymore. I took over after I quietly took down a small time seller from this area. ...Hey, Quinton- Or, whatever your real name is, could you go make sure Alice is alright? She's not great with blood," he said, patting Q's shoulder just as gently as he had before.

Q hesitated, but Bond seemed calm enough, and he nodded before heading out to do as he was asked.

Tony turned his attention back to Bond then, wetting his lips as he looked the agent over. "You're a damn good actor, I'll give you that. The kid though- You can't tell me some of that wasn't real. This is what I do, these are the people I help, and that boy- He's textbook. You sure you want him heading back to- What are you? Interpol? Six? ...Either way, I could get that kid a new life. Something less... You know?"

[0_0_7]

"Q. Quartermaster of MI6. And he's not going anywhere. He's textbook for a reason and Six has given him more of a home than he ever had before. You can feel free to ask him yourself, though," Bond replied. "And I think that yes, now is the perfect time for that drink."

[quartermaster_q]

Tony nodded, gesturing for Bond to follow.

It wasn't long before they were back at the hotel- Alone, and sadly with no good news to report back.

Q sat on the edge of the bed, staring at his socks. One was navy, the other was black. He wasn't sure how he made that mistake so often, but here he was with odd socks, yet again.

"Are you alright?" he asked Bond quietly.

[0_0_7]

"I'm disappointed, but I'm fine," he replied. One drink had been three for him and now that they were back he opened the second bottle of champagne and poured a glass for each of them.

"I hate when missions go wrong. Sideways I can handle, but I've never had one go this wrong."

[quartermaster_q]

"I'm just glad I didn't wind up on the black market," Q admitted, getting to his feet and making his way over to Bond to take one of the glasses.

[0_0_7]

"I wouldn't have let that happen. I'd murder the world to keep you safe," he said...and after Paris they both knew that was true.

[quartermaster_q]

"You say such sweet things," Q replied, pushing up slightly onto his toes, then stealing a quick kiss. "For whatever it's worth, you're quite sexy when you're being mean. ...Well, at least when I know it's not real anyway. ...Go on, grab my ear again, I was kind of into it," he teased lightly.

[0_0_7]

Bond wasn't amused by the joke.

"Tony knew. He asked me. He asked about you," he said. "He said you were textbook...I assume he means for an abused, oppressed slave. he offered to take you and give you a clean start."

[quartermaster_q]

"I was acting," Q argued defensively. "That just means I did a good job. That's why I was picked, isn't it? I had experience to draw upon. I could make it real- Or whatever it is M no doubt said about me."

[0_0_7]

"I know you were doing your job. You did it so well you disturbed Tony," Bond said. "You should be pleased with that, Q. But we both know...you knew what it was like to some degree. One day we should discuss that."

[quartermaster_q]

"I'd prefer if we didn't," Q replied crisply. "I'm no more eager to talk about my childhood than you are, Bond."

[0_0_7]

When Q's tone was frosty around the edges like that Bond knew well enough to walk away. He nodded and went quiet, turning away.

[quartermaster_q]

Q felt guilty almost immediately, wetting his lips and choosing his next words a bit more carefully.

"For whatever it's worth, double-o seven. It is always an act when I pretend to fear you. I trust you with my life. You could have my throat tight in your grasp, and I would lean into your touch- Because I know you'd never mean me any harm."

[0_0_7]

"You'd be wise to fear me a little, Q," Bond said quietly. "Though...you're right. i'd never mean you harm."

[quartermaster_q]

Reaching out, Q rested his palm against Bond's back- Then moved closer, embracing him gently.

"I know what you are Bond. I know how brutal and ruthless you are- I don't care. I love you. I love all of you."

[0_0_7]

All it took was the warmth of a touch to melt the frost Q's tone had brought on. Bond took a breath and looked over his shoulder at the man.

"I love you, too," he said.

[quartermaster_q]

"I'm sorry this mission was a wash," he added, pulling away and moving to sit on the bed. "I know you were really hoping to take someone down."

[0_0_7]

"People who sell people are the worst of humanity," he said. "Arms dealers aren't as repugnant. I really wanted to..."

He huffed a sigh.

"He is very lucky you came in when you did."

[quartermaster_q]

"Of that, I'm certain," Q replied. "It's why I ran."

[0_0_7]

"Former CIA...what a catastrophe," he said. "I'm calling Felix."

[quartermaster_q]

"Call him in the morning," Q insisted, reaching for Bond and trying to coax him to the bed. "Come here. Come relax."

[0_0_7]

Bond was tense, ready for more off a fight, but with Q's soothing touch and tone he slowly followed along. Obedient to the end.

At the bed he pulled Q close, distracted by the warmth of the younger man's body.

"In the morning," he agreed, eyes growing dark as he looked at Q.

[quartermaster_q]

It wasn't something Q would likely say out loud, but Bond's dedication to the task and sense of duty were some of the many things Q admired in the other man. They were things that he, himself, aspired to have.

"You did good work Bond. Even if we had a false lead, you were remarkable," Q said, tracing the line of the double-o's jaw with his thumb.

[0_0_7]

He was putty in Q's hands, those graceful fingers soothing away the worst of his aggression. He held the man's hips and studied his mouth for a long moment, watching him talk.

"I really thought they were going to take you," he admitted softly.

[quartermaster_q]

"I didn't," Q replied honestly. "I'm yours, and I know you'd never let that happen to me, Bond. Never."