AU - On THe Third Day

[provocateur_king]

On the morning of the third day, Bond had ordered his men to prepare the cannons. Q had promised and Bond expected delivery.

When the wizard didn't come for breakfast, Bond was irritated. He paced and fumed, but he waited.

Until he could wait no longer. They were going to miss the tide.

"Q!: he shouted, pounding soundly on the wizard's chamber door before throwing it open.

"You promised three days!" he shouted to the man still abed.

Comments

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"Okay," Q said, not looking up from his book.

There was something different about his attitude now though. He wasn't being cold because he was scared or talking back out of defiance- No, this read like... Provocation.

[provocateur_king]

Bond arched a brow.

"This isn't a pleasure cruise, just because you're excited about the destination, Q," Bond said, sauntering in to shed his coat and belts and wait for Tom to bring his dinner.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"Oh? And what should I be doing then?" Q asked, lowering his book. "I never agreed to join your crew, I'm still, essentially, your captive. You should really just be thankful I've chosen to be cooperative."

[provocateur_king]

"I should be thankful? You're lucky we didn't leave you alone on the island," he replied, going to the water bowl to wash his hands.

"You're my captive until I let you go. You understand that, don't you?" he asked. "I think you do...since you've made yourself comfortable in my bed."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"I can't tell if that's some kind of threat or you soothing your own ego," Q shot back, attention returning to his book as he made no move to get up.

[provocateur_king]

"You'll sleep in your own hammock tonight. I need my room tonight."

There was so much to plan and so much unknown. Q's magic would give them an upper hand, but he couldn't rely solely on that.

"Since you're just going to be a shrew."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

Q rolled his eyes and got up, leaving his book on the man's bed.

"Fine," he replied, turning to leave.

The book was a romance. ...About pirates of all things.

[provocateur_king]

Before he could go, Bond pivoted and caught him by the arm in a strong grip. He stepped in close and looked into Q's eyes with an unwavering gaze.

"You'd really rather leave than be civil?" he asked.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"You just kicked me out," Q replied flatly. "Called me a shrew and told me to sleep in a hammock, remember?"

Q asked, hating the way his body reacted to that firm grip.

[provocateur_king]

Bond looked at him for a long moment.

"Perhaps I was...hasty," he admitted. He wanted to let him go, but he found he couldn't will his hand away.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

Q held his gaze , wetting his lips with a flick of his tongue.

"I thought pirates just pillaged and took what they wanted, but here you are with your manners and restraint. How odd."

He shook his arm free from Bond's grip, then straightened his shirt, not wanting James to notice that he was clearly a bit flustered again.

[provocateur_king]

"You think murderers don't have manners?" he asked, arching a brow.

Then his eyes darted to the bed.

"Is that what your bedtime stories tell you? Your books spin tales of savage men, masters of death, taking what they want by force?" he asked, his tone growing more heated as the words tumbled out.

Suddenly, he caught Q and hauled him tight to his chest.

"You have dreams of being ravished at sea?"

His lips twitched into a taunting smile as he awaited the answer.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

Q looked torn between embarrassment and annoyance, pulse pounding as he found himself pressed tight to Bond's chest.

"You flatter yourself if you think you're in my dreams. Do I look like some dainty damsel in some bodice ripping fantasy?"

He didn't pull away though, didn't struggle. The only resistance here was from his ego.

[provocateur_king]

Bond held his gaze a long moment, then couldn't stifle the slow smile that spread.

"I'd love to see you in a bodice," he purred.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

Q blushed, looking away.

"You're dreadful," he tutted hating that part of him would wear one if he truly believed that might entice Bond.

"It's wrong, this desire," he said quietly.

[provocateur_king]

"Do you really think so?" Bond asked, holding him tight.

"Wrong to want? To be wanted?"

Bond moved in close, as if to kiss him, but stopped.

"Or to want me?"

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"All of it," Q insisted, one hand braced against Bond's chest. "Laying with men is my darkest sin."

[provocateur_king]

"Who told you that? Constantine? A relic from eons ago? The man hasn't had a lover. He doesn't even know love," Bond said bitterly.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"John never said anything," Q replied, looking upset. "I've never told him."

[provocateur_king]

"Then why do you think it's a sin?" he asked. "Who gave you that idea?"

His hold eased, but he didn't let go.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"The Church," Q replied simply, pulling away when Bond's grip loosened.

[provocateur_king]

"Oh. The Church. The Church says a lot of things that are rubbish, Q," he replied, letting him go.

"The idea of sin only works on those who still fear. The Church holds to sway on the sea."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

Q looked unsure though, shrugging one shoulder, aware he'd killed the mood.

"Even if I did lay with you... Surely by now your interest in me has faded," he said softly.

[provocateur_king]

"I know what I want, Q. And I always get what I want," he replied.

He reached out and touched his cheek.

"Go back to bed. Go back to your book. I have a course to plot for the voyage after we leave Lonely Island."

Because he wanted Q. Wanted him terribly. But not now. He couldn't compete with the Church's hold on him.

Bond was patient.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

Q wanted to beg the man to make it easy, to choose for him- But he knew he couldn't. Whatever sort of man Bond was, it wasn't that.

"Actually, I'll just get some air, I think," Q said quietly, the attitude gone for now.

"I'll see you in the morning," he promised, turning and leaving before James' could stop him again.