Chapter Text
"It's not like I'll ever have a chance to find my soulmate, Eve," Q argued. "I hang out in the Churchill bunkers with geeks and cats, and take my cats home to a flat full of books and tech. Who wants a partner like that?"
"You know, you're the second person to ask me that today? Who would want a soulmate like me?"
"Who was the first?"
"Well, he's one of the newer double-oh agents. I'm not sure you've met him yet, Quartermaster." Eve winked at him. "Congratulations on your promotion by the way."
"Wait... who is?" Q turned to her. "007? He's hardly new around Six, already has a reputation. James Bloody Bond, he announces his name to every criminal organization, and yet women still fall over themselves to swoon in front of him. Not exactly my type. I have too much plumbing for his taste."
"He doesn't have anyone, still hasn't found his soulmate. His sleeve isn't even colored in. And clearly you're listening to boffin gossip. He's not that bad..."
"Boffin gossip? You mean when I was on comms and had to listen to him run away with the woman from the US Treasury? He's lucky that M let him return and keep his designation after that. And I haven't seen hide of hair of him in person since."
"To be fair to him? He thought she was the one. She clearly wasn't and he's learned his lesson." Eve sighed and poured them both more wine. "Give him a chance. Talk to him at the very least."
"Why?" Ciaran shrugged. "It's not like he's made an effort Eve. Maybe he'll notice me more now that I'm Quartermaster, but not holding my breath. So far he hits on anything on two legs indiscriminately, and that isn't soul mate material in my book."
"For someone who has been isolated for most of his life, you're pretty quick to judge someone else. And his tattoo goes to his elbow. It's a good sign. Yours also goes that far, you know. And he would have to be blind not to notice you."
"I'm tired of getting picked on, and beat up, and being the brunt of the jokes, Eve," Ciaran said quietly. "It wasn't exactly my choice to be ridiculed at the Christmas party."
"Getting smashed and singing to the karaoke machine was an... unfortunate turn of events. Come on. I'll set up the meeting." She sighed and took his hands. "Come on. I want my best friend to find someone too."
"Are you sure about this?" Ciaran asked. "I didn't know someone put everclear in my glass. It wasn't exactly my idea."
"I'm positive. And if you would loosen up a little bit, then you might be surprised."
"That's what happens when I'm on guard!" Ciaran sputtered. "God forbid I loosen up, I might end up dead!"
Eve set their glasses aside and stood, pulling Q to his feet. "And it you stay in the shadows you will never be happy. Here we go!"
"Dammit," he muttered, knowing there was no other option but to follow Eve.
She led the way down to the firing range where Bond was currently in a tight navy t-shirt and exercise pants as he practiced his accuracy with various weapons. "Bond? Do you have a moment?"
"Eve..." Bond lowered his weapon and turned. "What are you plotting now?"
"I wanted to make sure you had met our lovely Quartermaster. Since Boothroyd retired this week, we have a new Q."
Ciaran stepped forward and looked at Bond through his glasses. The agent's eyes were a startlingly piercing shade of blue that made him feel like he'd been x-rayed. "Hello, 007."
"Hello, Quartermaster," Bond raked his eyes up and down the slender frame. "Are you the latest one Eve is trying to set me up with to ground me?"
"Apparently I've drawn the short straw." Q felt like James could see every inch of him as Bond looked him up and down. "And when Eve sets her mind to something, there's no dissuading her from it."
"Well, being she already plied you with alcohol, judging by the fact she switched to flats... there isn't much more excitement I can offer you, other than dinner," Bond disassembled the gun quickly.
"Technically we were drinking off duty. She dragged me out of my office." Q sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "May as well get this over with." He tugged nervously at the right arm sleeve on his jumper, pulling it down over his intricate Celtic knot work interspersed with binary and weapons.
"Sure, what kind of food do you fancy?" Bond asked, tucking the weapon back into its case, and hanging up the ear protectors as Eve winked and slipped out the door. "Oh bloody hell, she's gone. Thank fuck. I'm sorry she tricked you into this, feel free to go."
Q shrugged, standing there and doing his best to not disappear. "No, it's all right. I can't remember the last meal I had this week." At James's eyebrow raise, Q flushed. "I mostly survive on tea and biscuits."
"No wonder you're easy to miss," Bond chuckled. "Curry? Chinese? Sushi? What do boffins eat once they get out of the tunnels? I'm afraid I'd exist on delivery if Eve didn't make me eat at work occasionally."
"I could go for sushi. Should I meet you somewhere? I'd imagine you want to change."
"I have clothes upstairs, if you can give me five minutes for a shower?" Bond said. "I have a car... or we can walk somewhere? I'm sorry, do you drive?"
It had been so long since he'd been on a date, but the dance felt comforting, familiar. "I'll just nip back down to Q-branch. Come find me there."
Bond nodded. "Don't get too engrossed, I really can be ready in five minutes," he offered, handing the gun back to the tech who was recording the data. He headed off for the locker room, already unbuttoning his shirt.
Q wandered down to his office anyway, taking his time as he looked around at the evening crew as they set up to monitor throughout the night. He reached his desk as he heard the lift open. Well. Bond was certainly fast... hopefully not too fast in other ways. Ciaran shook his head to clear it of the thought. And checked his office to make sure he had, in fact. turned the lights off.
James was just buttoning the suit jacket, tucking the Walther in its shoulder holster under his arm, as he spotted Q.
"Quartermaster, are you ready?" He stayed out of the way to make sure that he didn't interfere with the employees who were running mission.
Q nodded and joined him, falling in easily at James's side. "I am. And call me Q. It's less of a mouthful. Should I call you Bond?"
"Sure..." he nodded. "James... well I don't hear that very often. Makes me feel like I'm in trouble, or a woman is about to poison me, and she wants me to suffer."
"James, then. A bit less formal than last names." Bloody hell, the man was actually charming upon closer inspection, and Q couldn't help smiling a little.
"And yours?" Bond opened the door for him. "My car is in the garage."
"Ah, see that would be too much information. Just Q for now."
"So, are we going as friends... Or should I be trying to impress you?" Bond smiled.
"I have a feeling that if we don't try, Eve will know. I wouldn't be surprised if she's watching us somehow. I suppose if we get to know each other better, we can work better together."
"Alright then," James opened the door of the DB5 for him. "Can I take your coat?"
Q blushed slightly and nodded, handing James his coat before sliding into the car. It really was a gorgeous machine, sleek and stylish and very suave, much like her owner.
"I bought this when I completed my second kill," James said, buckling himself in beside Q. "I assumed I wouldn't live long enough to spend the money."
"That's a fair assumption in your line of work." Q stares out the window as James pulled out of the garage and headed into the city. "How do you feel about the car now? After some time as a double oh?"
"I still love it," Bond admitted. "My father had one like it when I was a child. He died not long after he sold it, so it's a good memory."
There's not much Q could say to that. He didn't m even remember his own parents; they had died when he was a baby.
"Well it's a lovely car."
"I'm sorry," Bond offered. "I'm not... I'm out of practice with people, other than missions. I tend to say the wrong thing."
"It's been a long time since I've done this too. I just was thinking of my own parents. I never knew them, and I had the thought that you're lucky you knew yours."
"I... I was young, eleven," James swallowed and turned to face Q in the car. He flipped on the dome light. "I grew up with the gamekeeper, and his wife, my father's best friend. It wasn't a bad life by any means. It just left me... angry. And lonely. I don't relate well."
"I grew up in the foster system, shunted from house to house. I emancipated myself the first chance I had and never looked back." Q looked up at James and gave him a small smile. "Okay. So sad childhood memories swapped, let's go stuff ourselves on sushi. If it goes well, perhaps I'll let you kiss me."
He never usually tried to flirt, and it wasn't until he saw James smirk that he knew he'd done it well. Lovely. He was flirting with MI6's most eligible man whore.
"Careful, I'll hold you to that," James turned off the dome light and put the car in drive, pulling out with a bit of a spin of tires, showing off. "You did remarkably well for yourself, all things considered. I only managed to get thrown out of school."
"I've always had a penchant for computers. I'm just lucky M didn't decide to press charges when I hacked their system. Instead she offered me a job."
"Good thing," James smiled. "My good fortune, that I got to meet you," he parked in front of a small storefront. "I know this place doesn't look like much from the outside, but the owner is a good friend."
"I trust your judgement. At least where food is concerned." Q followed James into the restaurant where Bond not only greeted the owner in fluent Japanese, but the owner himself seated them and waited on them.
"I told him to bring us whatever his family is eating," James turned to Q as they sat on cushions in front of a low table. "I hope that's alright? If there's anything you particularly like or dislike, let me know."
"I'm not terribly picky. I don't think." He knelt easily and sipped his tea once the owner brought some. "Now I never see you with tea. The rumor is you only drink coffee."
"The rumor is also that I only have sex with women, and end up killing everyone that I love," James said bitterly. "Don't believe everything you hear, Q. There are rumors about all of us, and mostly it's just our armor, what gets us through the day."
Q flushed and stared at his tea. "I'm sorry. I... that was a really poor attempt at flirting. I... I shouldn't have said anything."
"It's alright, I'm a bit prickly," James said softly. "Let's just... move on?"
"All right. What should we talk about? What do people even talk about on dates?"
Q fiddled with the cuff of his right sleeve again, more of a nervous habit than anything.
"I've no idea..." James admitted. "Usually it's me pumping a mark for information, or trying to get past the food to bed."
"I spend my days in front of a screen. And I'll be the main handler now for the double-ohs. Er, I have two cats?"
"I kill people and sleep with their wives..." James burst into laughter. "What's your favorite movie?"
Q found himself chuckling and relaxing. "I'm really fond of animated films, Pixar, Laika, studios like those. My favorite films are probably the Cornetto Trilogy though, Hot Fuzz in particular. You?"
"I like foreign ones... it makes me work hard to understand, and read the subtitles," Bond admitted. "Harder to tune it out and get lost in my head. A friend has me watching a Korean soap opera at the moment."
"I think sometimes in English language cinema... we've given up the story for the special effects, especially in American films," James nodded. "But I watch a little of anything. Learned to keep myself occupied on mission."
"You must have a lot of down time if you end up waiting around that much. And you don't have anyone either. Like me. Started to think that maybe I don't have anyone."
"You wouldn't believe between travelling and surveillance... sometimes I think I spend my whole life hurrying up just to wait," James shrugged. "I have Alec... as a friend only."
"You and 006... I've handled cleanup from your missions before. The pair of you are a menace." He was smiling though, teasing.
"We always return though," James said quietly. "More than I can say for some of the other people I've gone on mission with. And that makes me wonder. If I was the reason... and I can't let myself think like that."
"It was them, not you. 006 is proof of that if you insist on thinking that way. The fact is we work in a high risk program where death is a constant companion. I don't blame you for not looking. Especially since you've lost so many people."
"Alec has been my constant, for a long time... when he was undercover in Russia was hard," James nodded. "I knew he was alive. But... nothing more. Sleeper missions are the worst. I wasn't even supposed to know that."
"He's back now. Maybe the three of us could spend some time together. It may help with his continued transition back into this life. But that must've been difficult."
He looked up as the owner brought their dinner. It looked delicious, a veritable feast of sushi. "Thank you." He turned to James and poured them each a dish of soy sauce. "What are you hoping for in your soulmate?"
"I don't... Know?" James admitted. "Someone who can tolerate me I suppose. I'm not sure I'm a prize for a soulmate. My mark has guns and a cross, I feel sorry for my soulmate actually, not knowing if they'll keep me for long, and they'd know I'm a killer."
"They would need to accept you as you are. I have a similar problem. I often don't sleep and I forget to eat. I work long hours and they will be longer with this new promotion." He glances at his arm, thinking about James's description. "I have weapons worked into my mark as well. Along with Celtic knots."
James froze and unbuttoned his sleeve.
Q felt his stomach go cold as he copied the motion. He unbuttoned his shirt sleeve and rolled it up with his jumper to reveal his soul ink.
It was a perfect match for James's.
His eyes went wide and he forgot to breathe until everything spun a little bit.
"No, no..." James whispered. "It can't be. It's... Exactly the same."
Q stared between them, dumbstruck. Their tattoos indeed were exactly the same.
"How long have you known?" James whispered.
"You mentioned your design just now. I swear I had no idea before then. I didn't know."
"Did Eve know?" James asked. "I can't believe it's been in our personnel files the whole time and no one figured it out."
"She couldn't have... could she? I never wear short sleeves, but we do spend time together. She's my only friend at work. How... I was convinced I didn't have one, even though the design kept adding to itself."
James looked down at his own arm, which was starting to change, shading appearing in various shades of grey scale. "Is yours...?"
"Oh god, it is. This week it added little threads of binary, but now it's filling in grey." His heart hammered at his ribs, and his stomach clenched painfully. Did he really want this now that it was happening? Did he even like James Bond? He barely knew the man.
James put his chopsticks down to hide the tremor in his hands. "I'm not... I'm not soulmate material," he said softly, looking down at the bruises on his knuckles, from when he'd been working a punching bag bloody earlier.
"Even secret agents need soulmates," Q replied quietly. He tentatively reached a hand across the table, leaving it open for James to take if he wanted.
James swallowed and squeezed it. "We were told orphans make the best agents, no commitments and no ties."
"Maybe it's time that rule changes."
"I'll break your heart," James sighed. "One mission, I won't come back, and you'll be broken by me."
Q couldn't deny the curl of fear at that idea, but he ignored it, resolutely squashed it. "And if we don't try, will you ever really be happy?"
"I never have been, so I don't know what I'm missing," James bolted down the glass of water, mouth dry. "But gods I want to."
"Then... then let's try?"
He felt like he was on tenterhooks waiting for James to respond. Q really wasn't sure what the man would say.
"If you're sure? I'm broken, I'm no prize," James looked down at his bruised knuckles.
"You're strong. Beyond strong."
"I'm a guy then send out to be a killer, because I don't feel bad making the world a better place. What kind of a lover does that make me, Q?"
"I... I don't know. I wish I did. But I'm willing to try." James looked so broken, so down and dejected. Q squeezed his hand and saw the last of his soul ink fill in with grey.
"Maybe this happened for a reason."
"Do you really believe that?" James scoffed. "What did you do to deserve a broken down killer?"
"I don't fucking think you're broken!" Q hissed. He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I don't. I think you've been through a lot but you also deserve a chance at happiness."
"I was a failure at figuring out that she was doing this to save someone else... what kind of a spy does that make me?" James whispered. "You deserve someone smart."
"She blinded you. Hell, she was a better liar than you. And you thought... you thought she could be. Her mark was blank like yours. James, you can't continue blaming yourself for everything. It'll destroy you. And that would break me, to see you completely implode and know I could have helped."
"Are you sure you want to take a chance on me though?" James asked.
" Yes ! Bloody hell, yes. I think I do. And maybe something could help you trust me a bit." He bit his lip and sighed. "I don't much like it... but my name... it's Ciaran."
"Ciaran..." Bond rolled the name on his tongue. "Bit of fey blood in you then?"
"Eve says that a lot. Says it's the only explanation for my appearance. I must be magic. I usually flip her the bird and tell her to sod off when she does that."
"Black Irish, and a fair bit of Romney in you as well," James looked him up and down, calculating. "I'd dare say your element is fire or power, it's how you do the things no one else can."
"James. I'm human." Q rolled his eyes and sipped his now cold tea.
"Human, yes... all human, no," James shook his head.
Q sighed again and shook his head. "I wouldn't be able to touch iron if I were fey. Come on. Are you hungry? All this food looks good."
James picked up a piece of sushi and ate it, the hunger hitting him suddenly. "You aren't all fey, but you have a touch of it. You've never lost an agent on your watch, Q. That's a remarkable feat."
"Don't jinx it now, 007. I've not run a full mission as a Quartermaster yet."
"But you've run plenty of missions," James smiled. "I'd take you on the comms any day."
A faint blush tinged his cheeks, and Q hid his smile with several pieces of sushi. "You're a right charmer."
"At least you don't tell me everything is fine," James countered. "I'd rather someone who is honest."
"What's the point of saying it's fine when there are four hostiles on your tail? That'll get you killed."
"You'd be surprised," James held out a piece of yellowtail for him to try. "Save room for the wagashi though, it's wonderful."
"Aye aye, Sir," Q said with a grin. He ate slowly, savoring the different flavors.
"I found this place after Vesper... I had bad insomnia, and spent a lot of nights just wandering the streets, trying to avoid going back to a nondescript hotel room," James said. "They saw me walk by a bunch of times, and finally asked me if I was coming in or not. I didn't even realize it was a restaurant. They had me eat with their family, asked me about myself, gave me a place to be someone besides 007."
"I like that story. And I'm definitely going to try and pay for my half of dinner. He deserves a huge tip."
"You can leave the tip, and I'll pay for the dinner, how about that?" James offered. "And next time you can let me cook for you."
"You want to cook for me? Don't pull out all your tricks tonight, tiger," he teased. Truth be told, Q was rather flattered by all of the attention. He still couldn't entirely believe James really wanted him, despite what his soul ink said.
"One of my lesser known skills, I can't abide frozen food, unless I made it in the first place," James smiled as the owner brought them a tray of sweets and mochi.
"Mochi!" Q's excitement only grew when he discovered they were green tea ice cream mochi to boot. He picked one up and bit into it, ice cream smearing on his lips.
"Come here," James smiled and wiped Q's lips with his thumb. "You look adorable when you smile."
He grinned and blushed more, eyes darkening as James licked the ice cream off his thumb. He forgot to breathe for a moment.
"Come on, tuck those into a napkin, and let's go for a walk by the river?" James held out his hand.
Q obeyed and stood, pulling out a twenty pound note to leave for a tip before following James out of the restaurant.
"Come here," James tucked his coat around the both of them as they strolled down the path by the river. "I love it here at this time of night. It feels like anything is possible."
"The city looks amazing from here too. Everything seems to glow." He ate another mochi and leaned against James. Bond was warm, solid. Q felt safe.
"So... why Quartermaster?" Bond asked quietly. "You seem so... alive... to work with something so inanimate as computers."
"I'm very interested in all things technology. And I'm good at them too. It isn't just computers either. It's R and D, it's managing a whole department, handling agents in the field, hacking. All of it."
"And you're quite good at it, as well," James said. "I suppose you have found your niche. So, two cats and a mortgage... what else should I know about you?"
Q chuckled and leaned his head against James's arm. "I don't sleep much. I read sometimes. I play video games. I write hacking codes."
"What do you read?" James asked. "I should unpack my books from my storage unit... see if there's anything I haven't read yet."
"Science fiction mostly. Sometimes fantasy. It depends on what I'm in the mood for."
"I had to stop reading mysteries, because I started getting mad when I figured them out before the end of the book," James chuckled.
"Oh I can't stand them. Far too predictable. I've been too busy to read lately, though."
"Same..." James nodded. "Although I did get a Kindle when they were first available, I might try it next time I'm flying. Although I prefer the feeling of real paper pages."
"Same here. But I can carry far more books with a Kindle."
"True, it is a plus," James nodded. "You'll have to give me some sci fi recommendations beyond the usual Lord of the Rings."
"Ender's Game," Q said instantly. "It's a genius series."
James got out his phone and made a note. "I'll start on that then."
"So we're really going to try this."
"If you're willing?" James licked his lips and fed Q a piece of wagashi. "I won't force you."
Q ate the sugary treat, gently taking James's arm and stopping their walk. "I want to. Bloody hell. I want to date James Bond."
"I'm going to disappoint you, Ciaran," he said softly. "I'm not nearly as exciting as my missions. I leave out books and shoes and forget to wash dishes. Most of all, I'm selfish, and over protective."
"I don't sleep and I have two cats. I can be snobbish when it comes to my tech, and I don't suffer fools. And despite my own anxieties about dating and your attempts to dissuade me, I won't be cast off."
"Can I... Can I kiss you?" James whispered, holding Ciaran's hands tight in his own.
Q nodded, his heart pounding so hard in his chest he was sure James could hear it. "Yes. Just-I'm rusty so don't be surprised if I-"
"Shhh," James smiled and put a finger against his lips. He started at one side, licking away the powdered sugar and sucking on Q's lips.
The boffin gripped James's shoulders and closed his eyes. He sank into the kiss, mouth yielding to James's soft, firm lips.
"Ciaran..." James whispered, exploring his mouth.
There were fireworks.
Kissing James was like igniting a brush fire that coursed through his veins and set every nerve alight.
"Ciaran... Look at me," James pulled back and watched his eyes blink open.
"What?" He stared up at James, confused. "We were kissing. What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just wanted to see your eyes," James said softly.
Q blushed and smiled shyly up at him. "Really?"
"Really," James stole a sweet kiss. "They remind me of the Moors where I grew up."
"And you said you're bad at this," Q teased as he stole a kiss this time. "You have poetry on your lips."
"They look like home," James said softly, carding his fingers through the curls.
Q leaned into the touch, much like a cat seeking affection. "I like your fingers in my hair."
"Would you like me to take you home?" James asked softly. "I rather think it would be frowned upon to ravage my soul mate on the sidewalk."
Q blushed and kissed James again. "You can take me home, but we should probably leave it at the steps tonight. Take it a little slow."
"Yes, I know," James breathed against his mouth. "I haven't quite realized that I found you, let alone... bonding with you… wow."
"So let's give you time to catch up. We could go on another date tomorrow?"
"Sounds good, I'll cook," James smiled. "I'll pack us a picnic dinner, and we can go for a drive."
"Maybe out of the city. Make a day of it?" Q was already thinking about how he would dress. He couldn't trust that he wouldn't want more tomorrow, but tonight he needed time to think. To process this. "You could pick me up?"
"Just tell me what time," James mouthed at the pulse point in his jaw. "Are you working, or shall I book us a room for tomorrow night?"
Q's toes curled in his shoes and he actually whimpered. Bloody hell the man's mouth was like sin. "I-I have accumulated plenty of sick days..."
"I still... My family has property in Scotland," James said. "If you're game."
Q pulled back, searching James's face. "Are you okay to go there? Will it be too painful? I don't want our being together to hurt you."
"I've gone enough times, it stopped hurting," James shrugged. "But I'd like to show you where I come from, who I was before I was 007. Maybe it will let you understand me a bit."
"I'll put in for a long weekend as soon as I get home."
"I'm looking forward to it," James said softly. "I wasn't thinking that i would ever be able to bring someone there, but suddenly... I'm excited to."
Q kissed him again, gentle and lingering. "I'm definitely letting you kiss me goodnight," he murmured.
"Good, come on, nothing like making out in the car like teenagers," James chuckled as he licked the last of the mochi off Q's fingers. "Any requests for dinner tomorrow?"
"Whatever you feel like making." He giggled as James's tongue teased his fingers. "I'm not picky. Just nothing too spicy hot." He followed James back to the car, feeling far more at ease and positively buzzing with excitement.
"I'll see what I can do... I'll be too excited to sleep anyway," James admitted as he tucked him into the car, stealing another kiss as he buckled the seatbelt.
"At least get a little bit. If we're staying over then I'll be keeping you up all night, old man." Q winked as he said the last bit, delighted when James took the teasing for what it was.
James grinned and ran a hand through his hair, feeling like he was seventeen again. He remembered Kincaid letting him use the farm truck to take a local girl from the village to the movies, and how mortified he'd been when they bumped noses as they kissed.
Q was grinning as they cruised through London. He gave James directions to his flat, feeling a bit self conscious but growing more confident all the time.
"Shall I pick you up from Q branch at 5, or your place in the morning?" James asked, brushing Q's lips with a kiss.
"From here. I won't even go in to work." Q leaned into the kiss, holding tight to James's lapels.
"I'll look forward to it," James smiled. "Sweet dreams Ciaran."
Reluctantly, Q pulled away and got out of the car. He waved as James drove away from the curb, and Q called Moneypenny the moment he walked into his flat.
"I need you to cat sit this weekend... I'm going away with James."
"What?" There was a clatter as Eve dropped the phone and shrieked. "When did that happen?"
"A few minutes ago. Or hours. Time's gone all blurry. Eve... he's the one. He's my soulmate. Did you know?!"
"Wait, slow down, one thing at a time," Eve collected the wine bottle in one hand and glass in another. "Tell me everything."
Q started with James walking him out of MI6, then the sushi restaurant, the ink reveal, watching it fill in grey, then walking and kissing in the sunset of London.
"And now he's taking me up to Skyfall this weekend. I'm actually putting in for leave right now."
"See, didn't I tell you to give him a chance?" Eve smiled. "I'm happy for you, love. Just remember, give yourself a chance to get to know him. You don't know him as a person yet, soul mate or not. And it can get prickly when he's your soulmate, and you can't agree on dinner."
"That's what the weekend is for. No work to get in the way. Time to talk. To share silences."
"And remember... it's not just sex, Ciaran," Eve said softly. "Use a condom until you're ready to bond."
"I know. I-we didn't tonight. I said no."
"You're going to get attached... more so than you have with other sex partners," Eve reminded. "It's going to be a big rush of emotions, beyond the sex, that you've never experienced. But have a good time. Make sure he treats you well."
"He's cooking for me," Q said softly. It was a bit overwhelming thinking about all of it now, and his stomach felt like it was twisting into knots.
"Oh... that's so sweet," Eve smiled. "Bill brought me breakfast in bed after we spent the night together the first time. "I think it's a way of proving they can take care of you. Tell James I said hi."
***
James went through the cupboards and decided on fried chicken and biscuits, and an array of slices cheese, fruits, and bread. He didn't have much in the way of dessert, so he made fresh cookies, and ran down to the corner off license for chocolates and several bottles of wine. He made a more comprehensive list of groceries to buy in the morning and packed the ice chest into the back seat of the car, along with a stack of clean pillows, linens, and blankets.
Skyfall was kept neat, ready for visitors. But he didn't want someone coming in to clean while they were there. This was his chance to woo Ciaran, prove he could take care of him.
In the end, Q couldn't sleep. He lay there long after ringing off with Eve and staring at the ceiling or his soul ink. The design was filled with greyscale coloring now, and he felt so anxious. What if it didn't go well? What if he and James didn't mesh?
James finally dropped off to sleep about 4 am, after washing all of the dishes. He showered and fell into bed, exhausted and restless at the same time. Eve had messaged him and told him not to fuck it up, and wasn't that a worry?
Q gave up trying to sleep at five. He showered and shaved, brushed his teeth and packed a bag. He was just finishing feeding the cars when the doorbell rang.
"Wish me luck," he muttered before opening the door.
"Hi," James said sheepishly. "I couldn't sleep more than ten minutes. I gave up. Want to go grocery shopping with me?"
Q nodded, suddenly shy again as he gathered up his bag and locked the flat behind him.
"I cooked, and napped... For all of ten minutes. Then I was afraid I'd slept in and forgot, so I hurried and showered, and it was 0430," James ran a hand through still wet blond hair.
"I didn't sleep at all. I couldn't. Eve and I talked and then I couldn't. What if... what if we don't gel? What if it doesn't work?"
"Then we know it wasn't meant to be, that I'll die soon and it's better that you not bond and lose me," James said. "I'm scared shitless too, if it helps."
Q leaned in and kissed him, pressing their mouths together and holding James close.
"But... I don't think that's really a worry," James whispered against his lips. "Let's get breakfast and caffeine, and then hit Tesco."
"Perfect. You drive."
Q threw his bag in the boot and climbed into the car. He felt better already knowing James was nervous too. They both were like teenagers with their first love.
"How do you feel about bagels and lox?" James asked with a smile. "One of London's hidden gems, right near the Tesco."
Q made a face at lox. "Bagels are good though."
"Still warm with chocolate chips?" James offered. "I'll take the lox and cream cheese. And brush my teeth before I kiss you again."
"Chocolate chip bagels?" Now Q was grinning. "Cinnamon raisin for me please."
"Alright, it's a deal," James opened his car door. "And choose some for later, they toast well."
"Perfect." Q followed James into the shop, the smell of fresh bagels overwhelming him. He held James's hand while they ordered.
"Come on, we can sit outside and enjoy the sunrise," James offered as they took their order. He pulled the chairs close so they could sit together.
"This is... Nice," James said softly. "I've never had someone to do this with."
"Neither have I," Q admitted. "And you're every bit as handsome this morning as you were last night."
"You haven't been to sleep yet, you're biased," James said fondly. "I do hope you won't change your mind once you've eaten and slept."
"I don't think I will. But I may need to nap in the car. Just as a warning." He took James's hand and laces their fingers together.
"We'll pull over at the first rest stop when we get tired," James agreed, pulling Q close against him. "You smell good," he nuzzled him.
"If you're good to drive you don't have to stop on my account. I'd rather sleep in a warm bed tonight anyway." Q hummed happily as James kissed his neck. "You're intoxicating."
"You'll get us nowhere except arrested for indecent exposure with that mouth," James groaned, pressing the heel of his hand down against the ache in his groin.
Q raised an eyebrow, curious, delighted. "I didn't think I'd said anything like that... I could. But then we won't get to Skyfall and I really want to see it now."
"I think it's the voice," James admitted in a strangled tone. "Come on, you. Tesco and then a long car ride. I want to ravish you in a bed," he stopped teasing long enough to brush their noses together.
A surge of warmth flowed through Q at the gesture, and he blushed. "All right."
Tesco was actually fun, choosing ingredients, indulging in sweets. In no time at all they were on the road and headed up to Scotland.
To Skyfall.
Bond gave him control of the stereo and held his hand, watching him smile and sing along. Every once in awhile they would stop, and he would kiss the stray bits of sugar off Q's lips, watching him blush.
"I never thought you were so gentle," Q admitted. "You always seemed so hard and cold."
"I don't get much of a reason on mission," James said softly. "What would I get by putting myself out there like that for a mark?"
"I know. But I like seeing this side of you. It's lovely."
"Well, you made it safe for me to be affectionate," James gave him a sheepish smile.
Q winked and kissed him as they pulled away from the petrol station. "I've never taken a day off before. I think M was worried I was really sick."
"Well, I'm glad I got to steal you away," James smiled, weaving their fingers together. The miles melted away under them, until they reached the Moors in early afternoon.
"Never been this far north. Never actually been to Scotland come to think of it."
"Well, we can wander down to the pub for fish and chips, take a walk... There's horses, if you ride?" James offered.
"I... I never have. Definitely yes to the fish and chips though. You'll have to teach me how to ride."
"We can start with the plow horse," James grinned. "I don't get up there often enough, but I rode in hunts when I was younger."
Q chuckled as James pulled the car onto a small road into town. "There's so much I never knew about you until today."
"Bagpipes, hunting, went to Eton, good UK lad," James rolled his eyes.
The boffin laughed, taking James's hand and kissing it as they parked. "With a wicked mind and deadly accuracy too."
"So, welcome to Glen Etive," James gestured around. "Hasn't changed since I was a boy, although I'd wager it hasn't changed since electricity was added."
Q hid his laughter behind his hand as he followed James into the pub for pints and fish and chips. "Isn't that always the joke about Scotland?"
"Or any small town people can't wait to leave?" James opened the pub door. The man behind the bar greeted him as Jamie, and clasped hands with him. "Ciaran, this is John. Sold me my first pint."
Q shook the man's hand. He was fairly large, bearded, and red faced. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
The man chuckled and clapped James on the shoulder. "Ye know where it's it," he growled in a gravelly voice.
"Aye," James pulled out stools for them at the corner table. Someone was tuning a fiddle, and there was a set of panpipes dancing out notes.
"I still can't believe this is happening. That I'm here with you and that you're showing me all this."
"It's not... Much," James looked up at him in the afternoon shadows of the bar. "I'm just me here, not... A number."
Q took his hands and sighed, staring up at him. "I know you're not a number. And it's okay. We can go as slow as we need to."
"I'm alright, it's just surreal, bringing someone back here," James nodded as John dropped off their ale, and took a swallow. "They make this in the back."
"Home brew?" Q took a sip and found he rather liked the flavor. It wasn't too hoppy which he often found was the case with most beer. "Well. I hope I'm a good enough reason to come back."
"I'm sure..." James said softly. He thanked John as he brought their plates, and a loaf of warm bread to try.
Q's stomach growled, and he dug into the fish and chips. It tasted divine. The fish was battered and fried to crispy perfection, and paired with the chips and the beer, it was perfect. The company made it all the better. He shared smiles with James from across the table, and he gently bumped his foot against James's leg.
James stared at him, a smile on his lips. "Just going to get me all worked up then?" He teased. He ordered a cask of the ale to go, and a bottle of their scotch. "Best there is," he winked. "But tonight... This trip, I want to enjoy you."
James stared at him, a smile on his lips. "Just going to get me all worked up then?" He teased. He ordered a cask of the ale to go, and a bottle of their scotch. "Best there is," he winked. "But tonight... This trip, I want to enjoy you."
"Come on sleepy boy," James smiled, offering him a hand up from the table.
"It's good to have you back, lad," John said as he carried the ale to the car. "Make sure you aren't strangers. We're doing shepherd's pie tomorrow."
"Thank you," James said as Q settled sleepily into his seat. "We'll try to remember."
"Well you do have much more important matters, I'll forgive you this once," the bar keep grinned.
Q smiled at the man and yawned, his lack of sleep the night before finally catching up with him. Maybe it was a byproduct of being near his soulmate that made him want to rest and care for himself. He wasn't sure.
They drove to Skyfall, and the sleepy boffin fought to keep his eyes open as they drove through the gate and down the long drive to the house. It certainly stood apart on the moors, a solitary building amidst the emptiness of the landscape.
"This is... Home?" James asked a little uncertainly as they climbed out of the car. "I'll come back for the bags, as soon as I stow the groceries."
"Jamie Bond, ye bastard!" A rather greyed man ambled around the side of the house. "About damn time you brought him home with you."
"I only just... Found out," James rubbed the back of his head sheepishly as Kincaid clapped him on the back. "Ciaran, meet Kincaid; he raised me after my parents passed."
"How d'you-" Q didn't get any farther before Kincaid wrapped him in a bear hug and squeezed.
"Pleased to meet you, lad. And James, I'll store groceries. Take him inside. He's not dressed for Scotland weather."
Q was, indeed, shivering as Kincaid released him. "I'm fine-"
"Nonsense. James, go on now."
"Do as the man says," James grinned. "Let me make you some tea."
"The fires are lit, don't turn the poor boy into a popsicle," Kincaid scolded. "You don't feed him enough, he looks ready to disappear. "
"To be fair, I don't feed myself enough," Q tried to say, but Kincaid was already hauling in the shopping and James was ushering him inside.
"There's a formal living room and dining room around front, but really, the heart of the place is the kitchen," Kincaid opened the door to a fire. "The missus decided you needed her lamb stew for later. Get some rest and clean up, it will wait for you."
Q's head spun at all the information. The house didn't feel as drafty as it looked, thankfully, and with James by his side, they soon found themselves upstairs looking at the rooms.
"Do you still sleep in your childhood room?"
"Yes, I got a larger bed and turned my parents' room into the study," James swallowed. "Too many memories, I suppose," he opened the door to his room, a large bed with a soft duvet taking most of the space. "The tub is great, had that put in after I got back from Venice," he added quietly.
Q turned and hugged him, not saying a word. The room looked lovely, cozier than he'd imagined, but he knew what Venice meant to James. What had happened.
He pulled back after a moment to kiss James's cheek before moving further into the room and exploring.
James tucked their bags into the wardrobe and undressed down to his shorts. "I'm going to shower, catch a nap, if you want to join me?" He held out his hand.
Q took it, following James into the bathroom. "Is-is it okay if we don't have sex yet?"
"No sex until we sleep, and getting know each other," James nuzzled at his cheek. "Maybe when we're back in London..." He turned the shower on warm and helped Ciaran in, the homemade soap lathering in his hands as he massaged over the slender frame.
He rubbed shampoo into the curls and traced Ciaran's ear with his lips, keeping him close under the spray. "When you want a soak in the tub later, the jacuzzi Jets are great."