Q

[petty_dabbler]

It was after midwinter and the days were getting longer. He was sure Winter was off with the chickens, or that goat that John had become fond of. Wherever he was, John took the opportunity of quiet to begin to take down the meager holiday decorations and store them away.

The sun was bright and cold when he opened the door so the broom could sweep out the old. He'd give the place a proper clean in the spring. Probably.

He stood in the doorway as dust flew out from the threshold. John looked down the path as he lit his pipe with his burning fingertip. He smiled warmly at the sight of the man coming up the path.

Comments

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

Bond was busy plotting their next course back at the palace with his men, and so Q had told him he was going to open a portal to go see John. Something about this time of year made him miss the man more than usual.

Walking up the path, he smiled at the sight of John's silhouette and offered a small wave.

"Hello, John," he said as he approched him, fidgeting a bit, as though unsure if he should reach for a hug.

[petty_dabbler]

"Welcome home, lad," John said warmly.

He waved the broom away and it settled against the wall and John beckoned Q inside.

"Come in out of the cold. I have tea on. And there should be some cake, unless Winter ate it. Come in, come in..."

He didn't let him in, though. He blocked the way and wrapped his arms around the young wizard.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

Q tensed for a moment, then slowly relaxed and settled against him, embracing him in return.

"I missed you," he admitted quietly.

[petty_dabbler]

"I've missed you, too. Come in and tell me how the pirate's life is," he said, finally ushering him in.

There was a stack of books in Q's usual chair and John rushed to pick them up, look around, and then set them on the floor. He gave the cushion a cursory brushing off and a pat.

"There you are. Sit."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

Q watched, visibly amused, then nodded his thanks as he sat.

"You look well," he noted.

[petty_dabbler]

"Never better," he smiled as he tended to the kettle so he could make a pot of tea.

"My diet is at least half cake. It's sweetened my disposition," he chuckled.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"The pixie is rubbing off on you then? That's... Unexpected. I'm sort of surprised they're still here," Q admitted.

[petty_dabbler]

"Winter better stay. We just got a goat," John said, because to him that made perfect sense.

"But, honestly, I never expected to have a friend this long, either."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"A friend, is he? Not a Waif and stray like me?" Q asked, amused.

[petty_dabbler]

"He's grown," John insisted, much like Winter kept insisting when John treated him like he was young.

"He's, yes. A friend. A very close friend," he stumbled then, trying to explain without actually explaining anything.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

Q tilted his head, then pulled a face as he started to put together why John was being a bit defensive.

"You're not," he said. "He's a pixie! They're mad- And tiny. I'm fairly certain you used to tell me to stay well away from pixies."

[petty_dabbler]

"He's not always tiny. He has a potion," he grumbled.

He certainly couldn't defend himself, though, because he'd stressed to Q many times all the fae he should avoid.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"Are you having a midlife crises, or have you just gone mad?" Q whispered with a hiss.

[petty_dabbler]

"I haven't gone mad!" John insisted. "I like him. I enjoy him. He makes me feel younger than I have in years. It's difficult to be sour with him around."

That he was deeply smitten was written in his eyes. John hadn't been fond of anyone for a very long time. Certainly not since Q was a boy.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

Q slumped in his chair, looking like the sulky teenage boy he'd once been.

"So, midlife crisis it is," he muttered.

[petty_dabbler]

"Don't you begrudge me happiness, you grimy little shit," John said, harsh and affectionate all at once. "I haven't given you an ounce of criticism for running into that scoundrel's arms."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"If you really thought I was in danger you'd have hexed him," Q argued. "Do what you like, you filthy old git. ...Just be careful."

[petty_dabbler]

"I could tell you the same," he said, glowering for a moment before reaching for his pipe to light up.

"How are his plans for war coming?" he asked. "I know the damned are not happy about it."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"I don't know," Q sighed. "I don't understand why he wants a bloody kingdom when he owns the seas. He swears he's the lost prince, and now he's got Harry convinced it's true... But even if it is his birthright... Who wants to be king?"

[petty_dabbler]

"Some people want total control. Mark my words, Q. If he takes the King's Realm, he'll go after the Dark Realm, and when he feels he's strong enough, he'll take on the fae," John said.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"What do I do then? How do I convince him that he has all he needs?" Q asked.

[petty_dabbler]

"How captive is his heart? Because you could hold the power to save the world from this fate, Q. Tell him he can have the world, or he can have you. But not both."

John had very little hope that love alone could turn this tide, but it was worth trying.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"I am trying to talk him out of it, but it's... He had his mind set on this," Q said quietly.

[petty_dabbler]

"Try harder, Q," John said.

"No pressure, lad. It's only a war you'd stop before it starts," he added, casually puffing his pipe.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"What if the king deserves being overthrown?" Q asked quietly. "What if Bond would be a better ruler?"