"You look ridiculous."
"Go fuck yourself."
Q rolled his eyes as Bond went back to scrolling through his phone, lips pursed dramatically as he leaned back against the wall. Q Branch was nearly empty except for the two of them and a couple of the minions, the perpetual whirring of machinery filling the air. "Only if you plan on joining me," the Quartermaster replied without a second thought.
The agent smirked a bit, glancing up from his phone to raise a brow at him. "Want to take a lunch break? Or I could help you clean off your desk again…"
Q scoffed as his delicate fingers continued to fly across the keyboard. "Oh, please, 007. That's unprofessional."
Bond chuckled darkly as he leaned in close to whisper in the younger man's ear. "You didn't seem to mind last week."
A blush creeped up Q's neck and to his cheeks, his lips parting as he let out a shaky breath. He shook his head a bit as he cleared his throat. "That was after hours."
"It's never really after hours in Q Branch." Bond chuckled again and pulled back, adjusting his suit jacket as he stood up straight once again.
"It is when I'm the only one here," Q replied, sitting up straight and resuming his typing.
"We weren't alone at first," Bond smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. "Has that become an order for your minions? When I come in the door, it's time for their break?"
Q bit his lip. "I suppose you could say they… Have a certain code amongst themselves."
"Well, you're lucky," Bond grinned. "It's the only thing that allows your little excuse."
Q huffed, his fingers faltering over the keyboards for a moment as he mumbled. "Well, it wouldn't be an issue if you'd just take me on a real date for once…"
Bond blinked in surprise, just barely managing to hear the Quartermaster's words. "Maybe I would if you weren't always busy when I have time to. You know I'm busy on missions most of the time."
Q shook his head with a quiet sigh, hardly believing they were finally having this conversation. "You know I'd make time for you, but you've never had the balls to ask."
"I have asked," Bond replied, His brows furrowed. "You were never paying attention."
The Quartermaster scoffed at this. "I'm always paying attention!"
"Yes, to your experiments, your minions, or even other agents flirting with you" the agent said with a sigh. "You've never noticed me asking you..."
"Well, then it sounds just like every other thing you've ever said to me," He replied with a roll of his eyes.
"How do you want me to say it, then?" Bond asked in exasperation, running his fingers through his hair. "Should I write it out in computer code? Should I spell it out on a Scrabble board?"
Q's fingers paused over the keyboard as he let out a quiet sigh, turning in his chair to look up at the agent. "Just… Say it like you mean it. Like pursuing me isn't just some game of yours."
"I…" Bond stared at him for a moment before shaking his head. "It could never be a game with you. Will you… Would you go on a date… with me?" He bit his lip softly, waiting for the reply.
Q stared back up at him for a moment. "I, um…" He cleared his throat. "Yes. Yes, I'd quite like that."
Bond sucked in a breath, relief washing over him as a smile formed on his face. "I could pick you up tonight at six? I know a wonderful Indian restaurant nearby."
Q nodded as he bit his lip softly, trying to hold back a smile. He didn't want to seem too eager. "O-Okay…"
The agent looked up at Q through his lashes with a grin. "I'll see you then." He turned abruptly and walked out of Q's office, stumbling as his foot caught on the door. Q chuckled softly as he watched him go before turning back to his work.
The next few hours passed rather slowly for the two. Q continued to work, typing away at his computer as he anxiously awaited the arrival of six o'clock. His fingers froze suddenly over the keys as he stared at the screen. "Shit," he murmured, running his fingers through his mess of curls before folding his hands beneath his chin. He continued to stare at the screen, reading over the code he had just typed out. Something wasn't right. He removed his glasses and cleaned the lenses with the sleeve of his cardigan before replacing them on his face and looking at the screen once again. He turned to the rubber duck that sat on his desk. "What did I do wrong?"
Meanwhile, Bond returned to his flat, locking the door behind him and walking past the kitchen. He stopped suddenly with furrowed brows, retracing his steps to find Alec Trevelyan rummaging through his refrigerator. He rolled his eyes as 006 closed the door, a beer in his hand. "The landlord kick you out again?" Bond asked him.
"No one appreciates modern art," Trevelyan replied as he uncapped the beer and took a swig of the cool drink.
Bond scoffed with a roll of his eyes. "Well, don't get too comfortable. I've got a date tonight."
"Oh?" Trevelyan raised a brow at him, setting the bottle on the counter. "Who's the lucky lady?" Bond just shook his head and walked away, heading back to the bedroom. "Is it someone I know?"
"Yes."
"Moneypenny?"
"No."
"R?"
"No," Bond replied as he entered his bedroom, 006 following close behind. He removed his suit jacket before going to the adjoining bathroom to splash some water on his face.
"Come on, James. Who is it?."
"No," he said again as he pat his face dry with a towel. He grunted as he was suddenly grabbed from behind, moving to counteract the attack.
"Just tell me who it is," Trevelyan said as he kept Bond in a choke hold.
007 struggled to get out of his hold, twisting his body in an attempt to dislodge the other agent's foothold. "Fine! Fine, it's with Q. Just… Let me go!"
Trevelyan released him from his grip, a grin on his face. "The Quartermaster? James, I didn't know you were a fucking poof."
"You're a prick." Bond pushed his way past him to go back to the bedroom, scowling.
"Oh, come on, James!" Trevelyan called back as he followed him again. "You know I mean it in the best way possible. But you're right. I'm sorry. Just took me by surprise, is all."
Bond sighed as he stood in front of his closet, staring at the clothes that hung there. He slowly began to search through the shirts for something to wear. His brows furrowed. Nothing was quite right.
"So, where will you be taking our young Quartermaster this evening?" Trevelyan asked, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.
"A restaurant," Bond replied, his fingers moving to unbutton his shirt.
"Ah, how vague of you. I know when I'm not invited, James."
"That's never seemed to stop you in the past." He removed his shirt, tossing it onto the bed before pulling a different one off its hanger. "I'm not going to let you ruin this for me, Alec."
Trevelyan furrowed his brows at the other agent. "Wow… You really like him."
Bond sighed softly as he pulled the new shirt on, buttoning it. "I trust him." He licked his lips before going back to the bathroom to comb his hair
"I won't get in the way," Trevelyan called back to him. "If anyone deserves this, it's you."
Bond couldn't help the hint of a smile that graced his lips. He looked himself over in the mirror before giving himself a nod of approval. He went back through to the bedroom and grabbed his jacket, pulling it on. "Don't know when I'll be back. Try not to be here when I am."
Trevelyan chuckled softly. "Go get 'im, James." Bond gave him a casual salute before heading out of the flat and making his way back to Q Branch.