oldestcharm

Title: Floodgates Open
Fandom: James Bond
Rating: G
Length: 370 words
Content notes: —
Author notes: —
Summary: The mood change is immediately obvious.

The mood change is immediately obvious. The dark cloud that seems to have settled as a permanent fixture over Q's head is just gone one day.

James is just about to leave the building when Q appears out of nowhere, attaches both of his hands to his arm and says, "I was wondering. How do you feel about archery?"

"Archery?" James repeats, bemused. "It's... alright."

"Hm," Q says, seemingly willing to tag along with James to wherever he's going, which by the way is his car and he's planning on going home instead of playing chauffeur to his colleagues.

But.

The grip on his arm is warm and he has a certain feeling that extracting himself from the situation would take quite a bit of strength. Physical and, more alarmingly, emotional.

"What's this all about, Q?" James asks, willing to indulge after months and months of being ignored. What's worse — he doesn't even think it was personal.

"I just can't get it out of my mind," Q says as James opens the door to his car. "Certainly has nothing on a gun in terms of efficiency, but it's a bit sexy, don't you think?"

James turns to squint at him. "Are you alright?"

"No. As I said — I can't get it out of my mind. So what do you think?" Q asks, swinging closer to James' personal space. "I'm thinking explosive or poisonous. And of course, the string could always double as a garrotte, although that could lead to some unfortunate mishaps with your fingers, which would be a shame, so special gloves would be a necessity and—"

"Q."

"Yes?"

"Breathe."

Q blinks. "I'm breathing."

"Is there a reason you're suddenly so... upbeat?" he tries.

"Creativity. Having a bit of fun. Isn't that what you were angling for when we first met?" Q asks but it comes off as defensive which just piques James' interest.

On a second thought — home can wait. Home can wait for a long while as long as James believes he might be able to pry open whatever secrets Q's been hiding.

He smiles at his target, pleasant and willing. "Let me drive you home and you can tell me all about it on the way."