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]

Bond watched for a while, a purely lascivious look on his face. But then the others moved in and Bond approached, grabbing Q's arm and jerking him roughly out of the throng.

"For me," he snapped. "Not for you. Not for them. For me."

The look in his eyes was murder and it wouldn't take much for Q to pretend fear.

[quartermaster_q]

Q flinched, and it was genuine. He'd been certain he was playing the part well, and he'd not expected Bond to grab him so roughly. It was pantomime, yes, but the pain in his arm was very much real.

His shoulder ached, and the look of pain that creased his features wasn't put on at all.

"It was for you," Q said quietly, so startled that he didn't notice their mark approach.

"Now now, boys. No fighting on the dance floor. Would be a shame to bar the two best looking men here tonight. ...Well, second best," the man quipped, gesturing to himself with a laugh.

Honestly, he wasn't anything like what Q would have imagined. He wasn't far into his forties, and he was handsome, with a charming smile and bright eyes. Actually, he was the sort of man Q would have hit on at the bar, back before he'd fallen hard for Bond. Older, fit, tall... Q didn't even realize he was smiling faintly and staring until the man winked at him.

"You both look a little tense tonight. You in town on business? You look like business," the mark laughed, nodding at Bond, then pulling out his card. "I'm Tony Fields, this is my place- But I own a spa as well. How about I treat you boys to a day of free pampering, huh? ...I think you'll really like it," he added, nodding at Bond again.

[0_0_7]

Bond dropped Q's arm and was suddenly all charm. His smile at Tony was warm as he offered his hand to someone he clearly considered an equal.

"Mr. Fields, how kind of you," he said. "I'm Bond. James Bond. Can I get you a drink to repay you for the offer? I think Quinton would be happy to go to the bar for us and we can chat."

[quartermaster_q]

"A vodka soda for me, Quinton- And be sure to get something for yourself as well. Be sure to tell them to put it all on my tab," Tony said smoothly, smiling at Q again in that unexpectedly soft and friendly way.

Q nodded dumbly, forgetting to even look at Bond before wandering off towards the bar.

[0_0_7]

Bond felt no need to say what he'd drink, Q knew. He followed Tony back to his table. He was all charming smiles and warm words.

"It's so good to meet someone who understands...things," Bond said. "I've had Quinton for years."

[quartermaster_q]

"He's lovely," Tony said, his gaze drifting to Q, who was waiting to be served at the bar. His eyes lingered on the Quartermaster, but soon he was returning his full attention to Bond. "He's obviously not as young as he once was though, I imagine. Perhaps you're looking for someone a little younger? Less experienced?"

[0_0_7]

"Am I that obvious?" Bond chuckled. "I do adore him, I've had him for so long and he knows me. Very...predictable. But his body..."

He shifted his glance to Q and gave him a once over.

"He's become a lovely adult. And he's well trained. But..."

[quartermaster_q]

"You don't need to explain, James- May I call you James?" Tony asked, though he didn't wait for an answer. Instead he looked over at Q again, studying him.

"I'm actually in the market for someone new myself, and I have an associate who could acquire something more to your new tastes. ...Perhaps even at a remarkable discount, if you'd be willing to let me take dear Quinton there off your hands."

[0_0_7]

Traffickers were so predictable, and, to Bond, so repugnant.

"A discount would be nice but I'm not worried about the money, Tony," he smiled. "Is it safe to discuss this here? I realize everyone's in their own little word, but...one must be careful."

[quartermaster_q]

"It's fine," Tony assured him. "We wont spoil the night with buisness chat though," he smiled, letting the topic drop as Q returned, placing everyone's drinks on the table.

Q put his drink beside Bond's, but Tony boldly reached across the table and moved it beside his own.

"I'm sure James wont mind if you sit beside me for a bit, Quinton," Tony said, his voice soft and soothing as he made room for the young quartermaster.

Q, however, glanced at Bond. It wasn't an act either, he genuinely wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. Was he supposed to make nice with Tony- Or was Tony crossing a line?

[0_0_7]

"I don't mind a bit. Quinton...best behaviour," Bond said simply. He took his drink and had a slow sip. "When can I see who you have in mind?" he asked.

[quartermaster_q]

Q looked unsure, but sat down beside Tony, his posture slightly stiff as he nodded.

"Tomorrow, at the spa. I'll set aside some time after lunch and bring a few boys in for you to look at. ...Do you prefer brunettes?" Tony asked, his hand moving to the small of Q's back as he spoke, then creeping beneath his jacket and the loose fitting button down shirt he'd worn. "The more you tell me about what you're looking for, the easier it will be for me to find a match," he added, his thumb running slowly over the pronounced ridges of Q's spine. ...Though there was nothing cruel about it. In fact, it was oddly soothing, and not particularly sexual. It reminded him of how he'd idly stroke Oberon while he worked sometimes.

[0_0_7]

"I'm not as concerned with looks as I am temperament," Bond replied. "I like a bit of life. I don't like the ones someone else has taken the time to break. I like clever. I like..."

He looked at Q and twitched a smile.

"Young."

He looked at Q as if he were remembering, picturing the man as a young boy. That he was fond of his slave was obvious. That he was hungry for someone younger and fresh was even more obvious.

[quartermaster_q]

Q knew he was supposed to be playing a part, that he was here not as tech support, but to look and act a certain way. In that moment it was painfully clear why M had picked him- Why Bond had agreed.

Bond smiled, and Q didn't smile back.

Tony's hand moved higher then, rubbing in small circles. Q didn't even realize he was doing it, but he leaned into it, letting himself be soothed.

"Of course," Tony nodded, smiling. "I'm sure I'll be able to find just the one for you."

He slowly removed his hand from beneath Q's shirt, then fished out one of his business cards.

"The address is there at the bottom, be there tomorrow by nine. My staff will treat you both to breakfast and a massage, then we'll meet for lunch and to look at your options. ...Which hotel are you at? I'd love to send along some complementary goodies."

[0_0_7]

"The Ritz," Bond replied. "I'll make sure we're up and there by nine. I do like to be punctual," he smiled.

He was amazed at how well Q fell into this, though he shouldn't be. Terrance's mark remained upon the younger man, regardless of how long ago that had been.

"I do like this trend with these clubs. Not at all like it was when I used to go. I'd be deaf for two days after with the bass still beating in my skin..." he said, striking up an idle, off topic conversation.

[quartermaster_q]

Tony laughed a little, but it was clear he had no interest in being social really. Instead he finished his drink and got to his feet.

"It's a brave new world, James, in so many ways. Isn't that right, Quinton?"

Q looked up, and for a moment, just a moment, he couldn't help but feel as if there was something more to that question.

"I suppose so, yes," Q replied awkwardly, his brow slightly creased.

Tony only smiled though, waving goodbye and heading off back towards the friends he'd been chatting with before.

[0_0_7]

Bond watched him go, his blue eyes thoughtful as he calculated every word, every look, every offer.

"They're more subtle than he is on the streets of Bangkok," Bond said quietly. "I believe he's going to steal you tomorrow."

[quartermaster_q]

"For what reason?" Q asked. "It was heavily implied by you both that I ought to be taken out to pasture and put out of my misery," he huffed, sipping his drink and toying with the tiny umbrella it had come with.

"I don't think that's it, Bond- But I do think something's amiss here. I'm just not sure what."

[0_0_7]

Bond was quiet for another long moment as he thought. Then he looked at Q.

"You liked when he was touching you," he said evenly.

[quartermaster_q]

"It was an act. That's why you and M wanted me here, isn't it? Because I know how to behave," Q snipped, growing defensive and downing the rest of his drink.

[0_0_7]

"Quinton," Bond said, his tone a warning. He got up slowly and moved to Q's side of the table and petted his hair, then offered his hand.

"Let's don't make a scene. We should go."

[quartermaster_q]

Tony looked back over at them from across the room, making a point of catching Q's eye.

"Fine," Q said quietly as he got to his feet, though he didn't take Bond's offered hand. Honestly, he was too agitated to care about how it looked to Tony. They could always lie about it later.

[0_0_7]

Bond very calmly brushed his lapels and smoothed his tails, then took hold of Q's arm to lead him out. He could see Tony looking at the young man but he was very good at bluffing.

It wasn't until they were outside that Bond spoke.

"You know I'd rather you not be in the field at all...but since this is what it is, could we have chosen anyone in MI6 more qualified than you?" he asked sharply.

[quartermaster_q]

"I'm a highly skilled professional, and this is absolutely beneath me. I'm not bait, I'm not a prop, I'm your bloody quartermaster and you should show me some more respect. So should M for that matter," Q hissed.

"I should have known right away what the pair of you had planned when M told me I was coming along. Here I was thinking I'd be in some lovely hotel room decrypting private messages and copying drives, not playing the part of old bloody yeller."

[0_0_7]

"We do what we must," came Bond's clipped reply. "Come on, we need to get to the Ritz to wait for our gift. I should make sure I have plenty of ammunition."