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]

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.

[lepidopterologist]

"I think I'd quite enjoy a massage from either one of you," Harry said, and was very sincere in that. He was still not entirely at ease in their new arrangement, but at the same time, felt like pinching himself.

[cuppa_q]

"You only have to ask," Q assured him, turning to face Harry and moving slightly closer.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry reached out with his free hand, and caressed Q's cheek with the back of his hand. He should say something to go with the gesture, he knew, but he couldn't quite seem to find the words.

[cuppa_q]

Q didn't mind the silence, he leaned into the touch and closed his eyes. Just being near Harry was soothing, and the silence offered a certain intimacy.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry let out a little sigh, and then slid his cup onto the bedside table so that he could slip an arm around Q. He decided to find some words now, while they were there.

"I really care about you, Q," he said quietly. "I hope you know that."

[cuppa_q]

"I care about you also," Q assured him, shifting closer. "I'm glad to have met you back in London, and to have found you here- Even if here is, perhaps, a less than ideal place to be trapped."

[lepidopterologist]

"I suppose everything about this is rather... unconventional," Harry said quietly.

[cuppa_q]

"It is, but we're not very conventional men, are we? You, myself, James... We exist in a world few others even know, live lives most couldn't imagine," Q pointed out.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry nodded. "Yes. Though still, the two of you seemed to find your footing so much easier than me. I didn't want you to think I'm unsure. It isn't that, it's just all very new."

[cuppa_q]

"I understand, it's new to me also," Q reminded him. "It is nice though, coming home to people who care. ...When I make it home," he added with a soft laugh.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry bent his head, and kissed Q's neck. "I've never even had a conventional relationship," he confessed.

[cuppa_q]

"Neither have I, not really," Q confessed with a soft gasp. "The few relationships I have had- They were very much unconventional."

Though at least this one seemed healthy so far.

Holding onto Harry, Q's grip tightened slightly as he pressed closer still, practically climbing into Harry's lap.

[lepidopterologist]

He didn't seem to be drinking it, so Harry took the cup from Q's hand and set it aside on the table, then pulled Q entirely onto his lap. "Mmmm that might even make me feel better if I weren't more than twice your age." He kissed Q's neck again. "But I'll just... continue to pinch myself."

[cuppa_q]

"Age is a trivial thing in the long run, Harry," Q pointed out with a content sigh, tilting his head slightly in offering as his fingers roamed over his shoulders, tugging lightly at Harry's clothes. "We're grown men, we're happy- Or I hope we all are- That's all that matters to me."

[lepidopterologist]

"Do you think James is happy too?" Harry asked, because he really did want to know what Q thought. Harry didn't know James very well, and in many ways he was still very much an enigma.

[cuppa_q]

"Bond would make it known if he wasn't. But yes, I do. I believe James is very happy. If anything, this arrangement is ideal for him. He's not much of a one lover sort of man, not really," Q admitted.

[lepidopterologist]

That part did not surprise Harry in the least. Of course, he and James hadn't done anything outside the context of Q... not yet, anyway.

"And you?" Harry asked softly, bringing a hand to Q's face again. "You're happy?"

[cuppa_q]

"I am," Q replied honestly, leaning back to get a good look at Harry. "I feel... Loved. Safe. Those are precious feelings to me, things to hold onto tightly."