Harry

[cuppa_q]

Q had been spending most of his time in the computer lab since it had opened up, really only taking breaks for tea and to feed the cats. As frustrating as the network here was, it felt good to have something to try and take apart, and last night... Well, last night he might have fallen asleep in the lab.

He took a shower at the dome and took the time to find clean clothes, but he still looked a tad rumpled and tired as he finally wandered into the cottage. Beta greeted him promptly, and he nearly tripped over the fluffy beast before stumbling instead right into-

"Oh, good morning Harry," he greeted, smiling warmly and steadying himself. "Apologies, I'm at least one cup of tea shy of being human."

Comments

[cuppa_q]

"I fell asleep down in the computer lab," Q confessed sheepishly, lingering close. "It's possible I got a little caught up in my work. ...I might need a day off."

[lepidopterologist]

"Ah... well, let's get some tea in you then, shall we?"

It was odd, Harry thought, how it already felt as if something was wrong, waking up in an empty bed.

[cuppa_q]

"Yes, let's," Q smiled, patting Harry's arm and heading into the kitchen. "I've been neglecting you and James both since that place opened, I'm afraid. I apologize for my absence."

[lepidopterologist]

"There's no need to apologize," Harry said as he put on some water to boil. "I imagine if I had the opportunity to do something useful you wouldn't see much of me either."

[cuppa_q]

"Sadly, I have to admit I've not accomplished much, though I have learned that the lab was last accessed in 1999, so there's that," the boffin said, taking a seat at the table and smiling when one of the cats flopped down by his feet.

"What have you been doing this past week? Anything of interest?"

[lepidopterologist]

"Not hardly," Harry said with a little laugh. What was there to do here, really? "I've continued to work on cataloging wildlife, insects mostly. And whereas there are some species I'm unfamiliar with, I haven't seen anything that seems terribly out of the ordinary."

[cuppa_q]

"Give it time, Harry. I'm sure there's a giant spider just waiting to be catalogued somewhere deep in those dark woods," Q teased with a playful little smile.

[lepidopterologist]

"Dear god I hope not," Harry said, rather alarmed by the idea, actually.

"I think James mentioned he might go diving today, actually," he said after a moment.

[cuppa_q]

"I can't imagine going diving," Q confessed with a laugh. "Will you join him, or can I tempt you into lazing about with me today?"

[lepidopterologist]

"I think lazing about with you sounds like the perfect way to spend a day," said Harry, and looked at him with a smile.

[cuppa_q]

"Lovely," Q smiled, resting his chin in his hands. "We can lounge in bed, sip tea, chat. ...Not chat. Whatever you like."

[lepidopterologist]

Harry brought over two mugs of steeping tea. "I confess, I do like the idea of spending some time alone with you."

[cuppa_q]

"Then it's settled," Q replied, looking pleased. "It's been some time since I spent a whole day in bed."

[lepidopterologist]

"I suppose there's no point in my getting dressed then," said Harry, who was still wearing the lounge pants and tshirt that he slept in. "Would you like your tea in bed?"

[cuppa_q]

"I'd love it," Q purred. "Actually, I might slip into my pyjamas first, if that's alright," he added, getting to his feet.

[lepidopterologist]

"Of course," said Harry. "I'll just clean up here." He set about clearing the kettle and making sure the tea was steeped.

[cuppa_q]

Slipping off to the bedroom, Q stripped down and started to dig around for his current favourite pyjamas. They were a simple pair, white with blue stripes, but they didn't seem to be in the drawer. Scowling he crouched down on the floor, bare naked as he dug under the bed.

"Ah, there you are," he said, spotting the slightly rumpled night ware and dragging them out.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry walked in then, holding a cup of tea in each hand, his eyes sliding to Q.

"Or you could not bother with the pajamas," he said softly.

[cuppa_q]

Q sat up, laughing a little as he looked over at Harry. "I suppose I could," he agreed, pushing his hair back and still holding his pyjamas as he perched on the bed.

[lepidopterologist]

"Unless you're worried about spilling tea," Harry said, and sat down beside him, handing him one of the cups.

[cuppa_q]

Q seemed to think for a moment, and eventually put his pyjamas down on the floor before accepting the tea.

"I think I can be trusted to not scold anything," he replied, nodding his thanks.

[lepidopterologist]

"Drinking tea naked might be peak British," Harry said, entirely deadpan.

[cuppa_q]

Chuckling, Q sipped his tea, then gingerly put his mug aside. "It's funny, isn't it? We expanded this place, only to have us all wind up in one room."

[lepidopterologist]

Harry offered a little smile and said, "Indeed. Particularly since I spent months sleeping on a couch. I'm still not sure my back has entirely recovered."

[cuppa_q]

"I'd offer a massage, but you might have better luck asking James. He's quite talented at that sort of thing. ...Though I'd be glad to help you relax sometime," the boffin noted, his flirtation awkward but sincere.