Bond

[cuppa_q]

Q had moved his things in, and wasn't surprised when he'd been instructed to set up close to Bond. It would take time to set up his solar farm again, but that was alright. In time he'd have the whole stadium powered up.

With not much more he could do for the day, he made his way over to see Bond. Some of the man's men had warned him the 'warlord' was not in a good mood, but Q didn't care. In truth, he quite enjoyed when Bond was at his worst. The man was painfully attractive when he looked ready to go in for the kill.

"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" the boffin asked as he invited himself in.

Comments

[0_0_7]

Bond was fuming. A crew had gone out and a soldier had died. Incompetence. Pure incompetence. He wanted to tie the team leader to a post and lash him within an inch of his life.

He did calm a bit seeing Q and he huffed an annoyed sigh.

"Come," he said, motioning for Q to join him by his desk.

[cuppa_q]

"I just thought you might like to hear I'm fully moved in. The room you chose for me is nice. Good daylight," Q noted as he shut the door behind himself. "You seem tense," he added.

[0_0_7]

"A raiding party made a mistake and I lost a soldier," he said tightly.

His anger was clear, and a feeling he fostered rather than letting any sadness or regret creep in.

[cuppa_q]

Q knew it was wrong to find that anger so appealing, that his shouldn't poke or nurse it. In fact it would be best if he just said a quick hello and then left.

He really couldn't help himself though. He just had to poke the bear a bit.

"I suppose that means no extra copper for me?"

[0_0_7]

Bond glared hard at him and stood up.

"He's dead, Q. Fuck your copper," he said coldly, stepping up against him with violence boiling beneath his skin.

[0_0_7]

"None left," he replied tightly.

At least that made him a bit happy. That was one band they'd never need to worry about again.

Q was so close that the gravity of him drew Bond's hands to his hips.

[cuppa_q]

Alright, perhaps that was too sharp a stick.

"How many did your men kill first?" he asked, keeping his tone level and calm, showing no outward reaction to Bond being pressed up against him.

[0_0_7]

"None left," he replied tightly.

At least that made him a bit happy. That was one band they'd never need to worry about again.

Q was so close that the gravity of him drew Bond's hands to his hips. He held him firmly and his gaze never wavered.

But his upset only ebbed so much.

"Did you want something? Or just to tell me you're settled?" he asked.

[cuppa_q]

"I just assumed you'd want to be kept updated on my status," Q replied, holding James' gaze. "I noticed my room is very near yours."

[0_0_7]

Bond's ire evaporated a little more. There was something about Q's voice. Something about the unflappable calm and subtle superiority that quelled his furious tantrum.

"Quite close," he agreed. "You should show me what you've done with the place."

[cuppa_q]

"It's not interesting," Q assured him, "It's just as the old place was, though with less power now. I'm working on that part though."

[0_0_7]

"Then perhaps you'd like to see how I live," he purred.

[cuppa_q]

Q seemed to consider the offer for a beat, then nodded.

Part of him thought it would be best if he broke things off with both men, that he keep things professional now they were all living under one roof, so to speak. The rest of him, however, was enjoying having everything he'd ever wanted. It was hard not to be greedy and lean into that.

"Yes, alright," he nodded.

[0_0_7]

Bond let go and pivoted to take him to his quarters. The stadium was huge and there were only so many survivors so the walk was deserted.

"Have you had any trouble with anyone?"

[cuppa_q]

"No, not yet," Q assured him. "Should I expect trouble?" he asked.

[0_0_7]

"You should always expect trouble, Q," he replied. "But I think my people know well enough to leave you alone."

[cuppa_q]

"I hope so. I imagine any soul brave enough to cross you is one I'd be better off not ever meeting," Q replied.

[0_0_7]

"The loyalty of my people is secure. I've built this compound with purpose," he explained.

[cuppa_q]

"You forget, once you're at the top there are always people trying to knock you down and claim your place," Q said mildly.

[0_0_7]

He thought immediately of Harry.

"I'm quite vigilant, " he promised.

[cuppa_q]

"You have to sleep eventually, Bond," Q said, his tone a bit more gentle now. "It's good, I think, you working with Harry Hart. If there are two of you at the top you can look out for one another."

[0_0_7]

"He can't be trusted to do the right thing, Q."

The right thing according to Bond at least.

[cuppa_q]

"He's a genius, and a good man. Together you could be unstoppable," Q argued. "You're just too stubborn to see it."

[0_0_7]

Bond was too stubborn indeed. Once he'd made up his mind, there was no changing it.

And yet somehow Q always seemed to eventually get his way. It had been that way, even Before.

"Unstoppable?" he asked skeptically. "Q, why are you so invested in Hart and I working together?"

[cuppa_q]

"I make things, Bond, it's what I do. I lay the parts out and see how it all ought to fit together. You and Hart make sense as a team. ...We make sense as a team," Q said, allowing himself to be inserted into it all for the first time.