You're Hurt – Where Else Would I Be?
Someone has drugged Q, he doesn't remember anything that happened and hasn't contacted anybody, but of course Bond knows. So the agent canceled his own mission to get to Q.
"Sir, you can't go in there!"
Q looks up as the door bursts open, letting out a sigh of relief when his eyes fall on Bond's familiar figure barreling through the door. He's at Q's side in an instant, brushing of the angry nurse trailing behind him. Bond's eyes darken as he takes in Q's bruised face, a deep crease forming between his brows.
"You didn't have to come." Q murmurs, despite how happy he is to see Bond. He's feeling vulnerable and scared and James is really the only person who can make that go away.
Bond gently brushes his knuckles down Q's cheek in a feather-light caress, and the Quartermaster leans into the touch, grateful for the warmth and familiarity.
"You're hurt." There's a note of anger in Bond's voice, and Q can see the raging turmoil in his eyes. "Where else would I be?"
Q smiles softly up at him, feeling safe and comforted for the first time since he woke up, bruised and battered in his hotel room. Bond has the power, to make him feel protected even in the worst moments.
The doctor who was treating to his injuries, before they were interrupted by Bond's abrupt entrance, makes his presence known by pointedly clearing his throat. Bond's hand fall from Q's face and the Quartermaster blushes, while Bond's eyes flying to the doctor.
"James Bond." He holds out his hand.
"Dr Carter." He gives it a firm shake before turning back to Q. "We still have some tests to run, but your boyfriend can stay if you want."
"He's not my boyfriend." Q jumps in quickly. "He's just my colleague. Wait, that sounded disrespectful, I didn't mean just like- I mean we're not, it's not… He's not my boyfriend… We're friends…" Q sighs and presses his eyes closed. Q knows if he looks at Bond, he'll be smiling that little indulgent smile he saves just for him.
Then Dr Carter's eyebrows raise skeptically. "My colleagues can barely remember my name on a good day. Yours flies across several countries at a moments notice because you got hurt…"
Bond glares the poor man down and he breaks off.
"Okay. Well, would you prefer he wait outside then?"
"No he can stay." Q says quickly, grabbing Bond's hand, suddenly terrified at the thought of him leaving.
Bond gently tangles his fingers with Q's, giving them a reassuring squeeze. Q gets lost in Bond's eyes for a moment, unspoken words floating between them.
"I'm staying." Bond says firmly.
"Just your colleague and friend." Dr Carter mutters, a smile on his face as he gets back to work.
Neither of them react, but Bond's fingers stay wrapped around Q's for the rest of the exam, occasionally rubbing soft circles over his knuckles.