Chapter Text
After Skyfall, things changed. Q’s actions when 007 “kidnapped” M earned his trust, something not many could claim to have. Unlike most who either awkwardly tried to offer condolences, or pretended nothing had happened, Q simply accepted that it happened and that it was in the past. It was exactly what Bond hadn’t known he’d needed.
When Q discovered that 007 was a closeted nerd, their budding friendship bloomed. Movie nights at Q’s flat after missions became a regular occurrence. Slowly 007 became Bond, and Bond became James. Despite the rumours circulating MI6, and the “secret” betting pool in the R&D department, their relationship was purely platonic.
It was past midnight when Bond appeared on Q’s balcony. Q ushered him in, unruffled as ever, while Bond chuckled a bit drunkenly.
“How’s my little nerd buddy?”
Q sighed, used to Bond’s comments. “You’re just in time, I’m watching Star Trek. How was the mission?”
James smiled, “Oh, explosive as ever. I’ll go in for debriefing tomorrow. Which one?”
Q frowned briefly, mentally reviewing the various things that had gone wrong and noting James’ slightly drunken state. His expression quickly changed to a cheeky grin as he replied, “the new one”.
“But it won’t be released for weeks! They just released the trai-OH YOU DIDN’T”
Q’s cheeky grin turned just a bit guilty, “They really should have had a better security system. Their fault really.”
“This is why I hang out with you” James said when he stopped laughing, “alright put it on, I’ll go make popcorn.”
Aside from a few shouts of “OH MY GOD WHAT WHAT WHAT” and “DID YOU SEE THAT” “YOU BET I DID” they didn’t speak again until the credits were rolling.
James was the first to break the silence. “Do you think I could seduce Zoe Saldana? She may be out of my league.”
“If you do, you have to get her autograph for me or I’ll stop being your friend.”
“If I get it for you can I have an exploding pen?”
Q opened his mouth to reply, but stopped with an odd look on his face.
“Get me at least five of the cast signatures, and I’ll make you a whole box of them.”