James + Harry

[cuppa_q]

Q hated flying, but sometimes doing what one hated was necessary- That, and he still had a dreadfully hard time telling Bond no. So did Harry, he assumed, since they were all currently sitting in first class, flying over the heart of Russia.

"Let's go over this one more time. You heard tell of a human trafficking ring at some cocktail party, and now we're all just going to zoom into action on a not quite sanctioned mission," Q said, speaking just loud enough to be heard, his voice a hiss of a whisper as he scowled a bit at Bond. It was the third time he'd said this, and though he was sure they were both tired of hearing him bitch, he simply couldn't quite get over the fact that he'd allowed himself to be roped into this.

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[cuppa_q]

"Just means it's your turn, Harry. What'll you be wearing this evening?" Q asked, struggling a little with his shirt buttons.

[0_0_7]

Bond sat in a club chair and leaned back, legs spread and arm dangling down.

"I'm sure you brought your best," he smirked.

[lepidopterologist]

"Of course," Harry said mildly, and helped Q with the remaining buttons, then stood behind him with the suit jacket so that he could slip into it.

[cuppa_q]

"Such a gentleman, Harry. Thank you," Q smiled, turning and stealing a kiss once his coat was on.

[0_0_7]

Harry was quite the gentleman. Bond had his moments, but more than once he'd been chided on his manners and his methods.

He watched Q and wet his lips.

"Give the man some room to dress," he said. Q was in no way blocking the view.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry straightened Q's lapel, admired him, and then glanced at James with a raised eyebrow before beginning to strip out of his clothes.

[cuppa_q]

Q stepped away, wandering off to fetch the tech for the evening.

"What names are we using tonight?" he asked them.

[0_0_7]

"Arlington Beech," Bond replied. "I already have a full dossier with that name, and it works for this."

[lepidopterologist]

"Sounds like something on the coast of South Carolina," said Harry. Clad only in his boxers, he unzipped his garment bag to reveal a striking navy pinstriped suit.

[cuppa_q]

"Not to be boring, but I'll just go by Quinton. I use it a lot, makes it easy to remember," Q said, admiring the suit. Harry did have very good taste...

Sitting beside James, he smirked a little.

"And James might say he has a cover, but the first time someone asks his name you just know he'll say Bond," the boffin teased.

[0_0_7]

"You don't know me," Bond scoffed...

...But they all knew it was true.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry had been thinking the same thing, but unlike Q he wouldn't have said it. Dressed in the suit now, he was attaching a pair of silver cufflinks. "Harry Winthrop," he said.

[cuppa_q]

"And I should take your last name?" Q suggested. "Quinton Winthrop?"

Harry did look lovely in that suit, and his gaze lingered a beat before he looked to Bond for assurance he was on the right track here. He wasn't confident in the field.

[0_0_7]

"Just Quinton," Bond said with a nod. "The less anyone knows about you, the safer you'll be."

With the floor show over, Bond got up and smoothed his jacket.

"I'm going to go down to the desk to see if the courier has arrived yet," he said. "Don't ruin your suits."

He flashed a smile and gave Harry a wink, then ducked out of the suite. He needed to get away from both of them before he ruined anyone's suit. And, of course, they needed the information before they could go in.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry chuckled. "He doesn't trust himself not to jump you, Q," he said. "Are the sleeves a good length?"

[cuppa_q]

"Or you," Q chuckled. "Self control isn't Bond's thing. The sleeves are perfect though, Harry. Thank you. I'm certain I've never had a suit fit so well."

[lepidopterologist]

"You look amazing," said Harry. "I will be the envy of many tonight."

[cuppa_q]

"You look positively dashing," Q said. "I think we'll both be turning heads. ...Not as many as James though. That man is infuriatingly good looking."

[lepidopterologist]

"Indeed," Harry agreed. "And thank you, my love." He leaned in and kissed Q softly.

"You will remember we are playing a role tonight, yes?" he said. "That you are a possession. But only a role."

[cuppa_q]

"Of course," Q replied softly. "I'm aware that anything that happens this evening is for the benefit of the investigation, nothing more. It's alright, Harry. I might not have much experience in the field, but I know not to take what happens there personally. It's all for the greater good."

[lepidopterologist]

Harry nodded, then hesitated and said, "It's possible someone will ask to... borrow you. Even if that would be a means to gather intel, I think it is too dangerous."

[cuppa_q]

"We'll cross that bridge should we come to it," Q said. ...Which was Q's polite way of saying he'd do whatever he felt he must.

[0_0_7]

The latch clicked and Bon entered. He had a thick envelope under his arm and he was looking through photos. He held one out.

"This is our man. Edmund Palmer. Billionaire arms dealer with ties to Russia, China, North Korea, and the list goes on. Sometimes people pay him with people, and he in turn makes a profit. We're stopping this tonight."

He was calm and quite composed. The only two men in the world who could guess he was seething were in the room with him.

[lepidopterologist]

Yes, Harry could tell. But for right now, what he said was, "I was just telling Q that though it's plausible if not likely that someone will ask to borrow him, I think that would be too dangerous."

[cuppa_q]

"Yes, and I was telling Harry I'd keep his concerns in mind," Q said, taking the photos and studying the image of the man.

"Would he be keen?" he asked them both bluntly. "It would be an easy way in."