Bond

[cuppa_q]

 Q had insisted back in that place that they'd eventually be brought home, and while he was pleased to be right, he'd have preferred waking up in bed rather than on their sofa. ...Though it was nice to find all three cats had chosen to sleep with him. ...Even Squeak.

That morning he'd peeked into the bedroom to be sure Harry and James were safe, leaving a note to let them both know he was safe and heading into his lab a bit early.

Q always felt a bit more centered surrounded by his nest of tech and inventions. It was the best way he knew to put himself back at ease.

By the time James stopped in to see him he was working at a small bench, taking apart what looked like a pocket watch.

"Good afternoon, double-o seven," he greeted, not needing to look over his shoulder to see who it was.

Comments

[0_0_7]

"Right back to it, hm, Q?" Bond asked, wandering close enough to fiddle with some bits on Fin's bench.

[cuppa_q]

"Work's how I reset my mind," Q said absently, fiddling with some tiny tools and even tinier screws. "After what we lived through I find myself in need of a hard reset, and this is the most sensible way to achieve that. There are other methods, of course. Sex, especially the rough sort, or drinking- But one involves the participation of others, and the next requires doing dreadful things to my insides, so... Yes, right back to it," he explained, getting the screw in and smiling as he looked up at Bond finally.

"How are you coping, double-o seven?"

[0_0_7]

"I've made a personal vow to never touch vomit again for as long as I live," he replied, picking up a metal bit that was probably essential.

[cuppa_q]

Q took the bit from him without a word, continuing his work.

"How was Harry?" he asked quietly.

[0_0_7]

"Better to be out of the rubber room, I'd imagine," he said. "I heard you leave and then got ready and went to the hospital. Just as it says in the file. Utterly abandoned and shuttered."

[cuppa_q]

"Yes, I had a peek via satellite, no signs anyone's been there in ages," Q nodded. "I imagined it would be as such though."

[0_0_7]

"Of course. It never seems to leave a trace," he scowled.

[cuppa_q]

"That upsets you," Q noted, glancing up from his work to study the other man for a moment.

[0_0_7]

"There's always an answer, Q. It bothers me we don't even have a guess."

He paused to play with a screwdriver Q had just put down.

"I think we should enlist help. But you won't like it."

[cuppa_q]

"Oh? Who do you have in mind?" Q asked, even though he was sure he knew exactly who Bond would suggest.

[0_0_7]

"Torchwood," he said tightly.

[cuppa_q]

Q frowned, but didn't say no.

[0_0_7]

"I think we've moved beyond reason and sense, and Harkness seems like he'd be a good asset to have," Bond said. "Or the new one. The actor's kid."

[cuppa_q]

"Yes, well, you can reach out to them. I'd rather not," Q said honestly. "As interesting as Torchwood's tech is, I'm not keen to spend time with them."

[0_0_7]

"Why not?" Bond asked, selecting another tool in an attempt to further annoy Q. He was adorable when he was upset at work.

[cuppa_q]

Q huffed, reaching for what James had just taken.

"They're dangerous," Q said. "...And they don't share their toys."

[0_0_7]

"I'm dangerous," he pointed out, vaguely amused by Q's need for new toys.

[cuppa_q]

"You're not dangerous to me," Q countered simply. "They could be."

[0_0_7]

"Fair point," he said. "What, then?"

[cuppa_q]

"I don't know. I won't tell you not to go to Torchwood, but I can't say I'll encourage it," Q replied.

[0_0_7]

"What if I brought you back a new toy?" Bond tempted.

[cuppa_q]

Q eyed him, studying him for a beat.

"It would have to be an exceptionally good one."

[0_0_7]

"And in one piece, I assume?" Bond pressed.

[cuppa_q]

"Both you and the toy? Yes," Q replied dryly.

[0_0_7]

"I'll get you something good," he smiled. "Can you get me a dossier on them?"