I am having such issues with writing dialogue for James Bond, it is unreal. I cannot figure the man's speach pattern out! This is going to end with me watching Casino Royale and Skyfall just to listen to him speak, and I just... I don't want to. I have better things to do with my time, honestlyI do! Warning for one little (not very bad) curse word.
I do not claim to own the James Bond franchise.
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It was by no means the first time James Bond had ever held open a door for a woman, but he had not done so with as little flirtatiousness or such an open show of respect since the late M was still around.
"Q" James started, and was gratified to see that she was slightly less tense now. She was still highly guarded, of course, but she was listening to him. Not to mention that she actually dared to speak alone with him. He had realised that she was damned brave, of course, but still. It was something. She nodded as a sign that he should continue. "Q; please believe me, what I said out there. I'll go away and stay away if you need or even want me to, and that's a promise, but don't be afraid of me. I honestly had no idea I scared you. It was perhaps - it was definitely - vain of me, but I swear I had no ill intent".
She nodded a little, letting her usual fasades slip, just slightly. She had no idea why she suddenly felt like confiding in the man who had terrified her beyond belief the very night before, but perhaps it was how kind he was currently being; or how strangely safe she felt here, alone with him, when it would have been her darkest nightmare that very morning. But most likely, perhaps, was that she simply needed to confide in somebody.
"I have never been very good socially" she noted, shrugging a tiny bit. "I tend to play aloof, it helps". "Still, some harmless flirting isn't all that intimidating," she studied his face, but there was only honest desire to understand there, no even a speck of judgement. "Even if something had followed," he continued, and though trained to lie, he clearly wasn't now, "it would have been with your full consent only, and completely safe, I promise".
He gave her a charming smile, clearly trying to ease the mood. "Just because I am great at strangling people, does not mean you were ever in any danger". She made a small, sighing noise. "I know that... I never really thought you were going to get all that violent, it is just," she swallowed, then looked down as she admitted. "I am asexual. The whole concept is utterly terrifying to me. I..." "Ah".
She looked up in surprise, the man's tone not having been what she expected, and to her surprise discovered that James Bond was looking at her with honest understanding. That was the last reaction she'd expected, and the last person she'd expected it from. "That's not the reaction I generally recieve," she admitted slowly. He shrugged in responce. There was silence for a few moments, before she added, feeling awkward and wondering why she was even admitting this to him, out of all people, "My family tend to tell me to grow up and get a boyfriend". "I might not be the most likely to, but I get it". His tone was gentle now, understanding and kind.
"I'm straight, myself: not too hard for anyone to guess, to be honest," his smile was surprisingly insightful, "and I have seduced many women for queen and country. On one mission, years back, I had to instead seduce a man. There was no other way, or I wouldn't have done it," he sighed. "It isn't so very different. I mean, it is very different, but the principle is definitely similar. It is still desire and touch... still the same rules, just another gameplay. Yet, it took me a lot of alcohol to get through, and a lot of time to get over. If you don't have the interest at all, I can only imagine how utterly odd the whole phenomena is to you".
"I don't get it," she admitted, so relieved to have somebody understand that the words spilled out of her in a rush, "I mean I understand the mecanics... and all," she blushed now, "but I don't get the appeal". "You don't have to," he assured her kindly, obviously honest. "If you want me to, I'll go away and stay away, but I will never hurt you, or do anything to you that you'd object to, I promise. If I ever flirt with you again, please remember; it is only phantom pain".
At her puzzled expression, he elaborated. "You might still limp though the injury is healed, will still be upset though the cause is gone; still feel pain though the limb has been lost. It is force of habit, when it comes to me. Sometimes I still flirt, though there is nobody to flirt with. I will never bother you again, I promise you that. Sincerely".
Giving him a rare, genuine smile, the Quartermaster allowed herself to relax, just a little, merely saying three words, three words that would change everything between them. "Thank you, James".
