Another day goes by where Q is actually a bit productive and gets some work done, going over paperwork and arranging for Eve to come pick up some things that need to go back to the office, leading to a half hour chat that actually relaxes the younger man quite a bit. He's staring unseeing at the TV when he hears his laptop ping, telling him he has an incoming text message, and he takes a deep breath before he reaches over and pulls the laptop closer to him.
How are you tonight? -James
It's not surprising, or at least it shouldn't be, Q should have known who was texting him as soon as the laptop pinged, but at the moment his mind doesn't seem to be working well.
I'm fine. -Q
Don't tell me you're pouting because they're keeping you away from work? -James
No, I'm not. -Q
What's the matter, Q? You're being very quiet tonight. -James
Nothing is wrong. Why do you sign your texts 'James'? -Q
It's my name. -James
I know it's your name. -Q
Maybe I do it hoping you'll use my name. -James
That would not be very professional. -Q
It's after hours, Q, and technically you are on vacation. -James
Q can't help but smile a little as he reads that last text, shaking his head before he sighs a little. James Bond, always breaking the rules, flaunting them actually. Still, he decides that this form of communication will allow a little more honesty.
I'm not ok, James. -Q
What's wrong? -James
You were right. I don't manage well on my own. I feel like a failure, which makes me feel worse and less like keeping up on everything. -Q
You're hardly a failure, Q. Though I understand now why you stay late at the office, why you might not want to go back to your flat. At least you feel useful in Q-branch, right? - James
Yes, surprisingly perceptive of you. I'm lonely. But I can't go out, not right now. And I don't have time to go out otherwise. Can't fraternize with any of my employees or at the office. -Q
Why not? There are no rules against it. -James
I am sure you checked for it just in case as well. It just wouldn't be proper, James. I suppose I just need to resign myself to ignoring things such as loneliness. My job is too important to let it interfere. -Q
Let me come over, Q. I'm not suggesting anything intimate, it just seems like you could use company tonight. And as you said, only a few people know where you live, as it should be. -James
I don't think that's a good idea. -Q
You worry too much. -James
I do not. And it's still not a good idea. -Q
Walk on the wild side for once, Q. Let me come over. -James
Q stares at the screen, his fingers hesitating over the keyboard. He wouldn't mind having the man come over. Bond was right, he didn't want to be alone tonight, and it was either him or Even who knows where he lives and he could consider asking over. And quite frankly, James' company seems preferable right now to that of Ms. Moneypenny. Maybe he'd even get a cuddle out of it. That would be rather nice.
Fine. -Q
I'll be there in half an hour. -James
Putting the laptop aside, Q looks down at himself, in his pajama pants and t-shirt, and decides that the agent will just have to deal with his attire as he doesn't feel like changing. Slowly, he does get up and clears away some trash and dishes, putting the kettle on. The least he can do is offer his guest some tea. When the buzzer sounds it nearly makes him jump out of his skin though as he goes over and buzzes Bond in, noticing his hand is trembling. Is he nervous or is his hand trembling in anticipation, Q wonders as he stares at it before he walks over and pours the boiling water into the two cups, just in time for him to return to the door and open it for Bond, shutting it behind the agent and watching him warily for a moment.
Also dressed more casually than Q has ever seen him, Bond is wearing jeans, boots, and a dark, short-sleeved polo shirt under his jacket which he removes and hangs up by the door. "You look horrible, have you been sleeping?" Bond asks as he reaches out and rests the backs of his fingers against Q's forehead lightly, checking to make sure he isn't getting sick.
Q pulls his head back and gives a little glare to Bond. "Yes, I've been sleeping. But not well. And I'm not sick." he says in a somewhat petulant tone. Sighing a little, he turns and walks on bare feet to the kitchen and finish preparing the tea.
"Are these the famed pajamas that you boasted about?" Bond asks as he looks Q over, admiring the way the pants hung off the younger man's slim hips, waiting a beat before following him into the kitchen, looking around slowly. "I could get very used to seeing you like this, Q." he says honestly, resting his hand on the back of Q's waist for a few moments. "Anything good on the tellie?" he asks as he slips past Q behind him, using the excuse of the hand letting the younger man know exactly where the agent is as he moves behind him, until he is past and can start looking through cabinets, finding the crisps he bought and popping a package of popcorn in the microwave.
"Yes, these are my pajamas, Bond." Q says with some exasperation, blushing a little as he takes the tea bags out of the cups, avoiding looking at the agent but enjoying the touch. "You just can't help saying things like that, can you?" He asks with a certain sense of frustration, watching the agent out of the corner of his eye and the familiar way the older man moves around his kitchen. "And no, I haven't really looked hard but so far there is nothing good on."
James smiles a little, relaxed and natural as he looks at the man next to him. "I haven't ever lied to you, Q. It's surprising that no one has ever commented on how attractive you are. Honestly, Q, you're bloody adorable." he says as he finds a bowl suitable for the popcorn. "You don't know how many times I've just wanted to hug you."
Sighing and sliding one of the mugs of tea over to the agent, Q picks up his own and snags the crisps, heading back to the couch, sitting down and propping his bare feet up on his coffee table. "My looks have never been what has been valued when it comes to interest in me. My mind is far more valuable." He explains as he watches the agent shyly.
Empty the popcorn into the bowl, Bond takes it and his tea and walks over to Q, stepping over the man's long legs in order to sit down beside him. "I suppose I'll just have to find a way to convince you it's the truth, then." He says confidently as he leans back and gets comfortable, casually eating some of the popcorn before he holds the bowl out to Q. Even in this day and age, it's rare for a strong Alpha like Bond to share his food voluntarily, and it shows how much trust he has in Q, or that he wants him as a potential mate, it's sort of hard to figure out sometimes.
Staring for a few moments, Q takes a handful of popcorn and eats it slowly. "You're rather determined." He says as he shifts to get comfortable, crossing his legs at the ankle after retrieving the remote. "It has been some time since I've been on a date. Perhaps I should find someone to go out with. Of course, that means lying to them unless they're from MI6. It's not fair of me to ask you to keep me company when I get particularly lonely, and that's assuming you're even in London." he says thoughtfully as he sips his tea a little.
Rather happy to be able to feed Q, Bond smiles a little at first, then the idea of the younger man with anyone else darkens the agent's expression. It also sends a surge of jealousy through him, causing him to frown, though at least he contains the reflexive growl that comes to his throat. "I don't like the idea of you with anyone else. Much less some random person from outside of MI6, that seems too dangerous." He says in a warning tone as he stares at Q intensely, his blue eyes taking in every nuance of his expression for a few long moments.
"Of course you don't, Bond. You're an Alpha, and I'm an Omega who you've become friends with. Your instincts would hardly like the idea of me with anyone else, but we're not animals, James." Q says, using the man's first name for the first time in actual conversation. "We aren't slaves to our instincts." He reminds the older man as he finishes his handful of popcorn and brushes his hand off on his pants, leaning forward on his legs a little and to put his mug on the table.
Unable to help himself, Bond puts the popcorn aside as he reaches out, placing his hand flat against the middle of Q's back, sliding it up along his spine to the back of his neck, thumb stroking the pale column of skin. "Q.. you are an idiot sometimes. Yes, it has to do with instincts, but it has to do with feelings as well. I don't want you with anyone else because the idea drives me crazy with jealousy. I don't know if I could tolerate someone's scent on you." He says honestly, leaning his head forward to lightly rest his nose on Q's shoulder for a moment before he leans back a little, still stroking the back of Q's neck.
Sighing a little and closing his eyes, Q relaxes under Bond's touch. "You shouldn't say things like that, James." He says quietly. "You might get a person's hopes up.." he says quietly, sitting up straighter and leaning back into the hand on his neck a little.
"I don't see how that's a problem." James says before he uses his hold on Q to pull him backwards a little, hand moving down to his shoulder to draw the boffin back against his chest little, putting his arm around the brunette's slim shoulders and lets it hang down his opposite arm. "Why don't we just watch a bit of tellie for a while." He says in a quick change of subject, grabbing the remote and flicking through channels until he finds something tolerable.
Although he's not quite sure how to take this, he does enjoy where he is, so Q doesn't object, he just takes a deep breath, nestling his head against the agent's shoulder before he relaxes and nods. "Alright." He agrees as he turns his attention to the TV, eyes quickly drooping as his attention wanes and his comfort increases.
"That's it. Just relax." James murmurs softly into Q's hair, listening to his breathing even out, allowing his fingers to brush along the younger man's arm gently to soothe him into the sleep he seems to need.
Adorable! Sorry for a tiny delay in posting, I got caught up in one of my other stories. :) I figured it was time for something to happen between these two, even though it's not much, it's super cute. I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Reviews/Comments welcome!
