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

[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."

[0_0_7]

Bond kissed him then, claiming Q's mouth with unrestrained hunger. He pulled him tight against him, one hand snaking around to feel his back, trace his bones.

[quartermaster_q]

Q returned the kiss with nothing but passion on his lips, holding Bond close in return.

"I love you," he moaned. "God, James- I love you more than I realized I was able to love anyone."

[0_0_7]

He gasped at the power of the confession and moved his kisses to Q's neck, back to his mouth, then along his jaw as he tried to taste every inch of him.

[quartermaster_q]

Shedding his pyjama top, Q never stopped pawing and pulling at James, desperate to keep him close.

"Please," he murmured.

[0_0_7]

Bond peeled off his own and tossed it. His muscles bunched as he grabbed Q and picked him up to carry him to the bed. Then he laid the man down and crawled into him. Broad hands pushed on his chest to keep him in place.

"Tell me again that you love me," he demanded.

[quartermaster_q]

"Love you? More than love you, I adore you, Bond. Worship you," Q purred, his voice low and rumbling, though never loosing that crisp edge.

[0_0_7]

It was utterly unfair the power Q's voice had over him. Bond melted, kissing his chest and the sharp line of his collarbones. He reached for one wrist and gave it a squeeze, but then rather than overpower Q he slid his hand up and laced their fingers together.

"You are my whole world, Q. I need you more than air or water. I love you."

[quartermaster_q]

Q moaned softly, then smiled.

"You're so very good to me, Bond. If I were to be bought and sold, I'd want to be sold to you," he said, reaching with his free hand to rake his fingers though Bond's hair.

[0_0_7]

"I'd spend my entire fortune to have you," he replied, tasting Q's mouth once again. He slowly sank, falling to the side to lay with his arm and leg draped over the other man.

[quartermaster_q]

"I'd make sure I was worth every penny," Q murmured, entwining himself with the other man, then settling in against him.

"You make my life worth something, double-o seven," he said, the words spoken so softly that they were barely even a whisper.

[0_0_7]

But Bond heard them and he closed his eyes. He felt the same way. Before Q he would have been a name on a memorial wall...if that. His service would be forgotten, his successes gone to time.

But Q loved him and that changed everything.

He turned to kiss the secret away again, tasting the truth of it.