just_hex | Before the Crash

Bond had quite enjoyed his time on the station. He’d gotten to know the commander. The workings. The rhythm of life. He’d learned the comings and goings. What the protocols for a delegation of hostile ambassadors was versus what actually happened. What he couldn’t witness himself, he’d used his presence in Q branch to gain access to all the systems he could need.

He watched vids on repeat, watching. Waiting.

And in the mean time, he enjoyed Q. He romanced the droid, tested his limits, and enjoyed his body at every possible opportunity. It was a shame, what was to come. Q was doing so well here, and the station was so crowded. So many souls.

A shame, but never once had that stopped the Double-O.

The order came through in the night, waking him from a dreamless sleep. The tone was different from others and triggered something in Bond’s mind, demanding complusion and obedience. He sat up and stretched, then read the message.

Initiate Protocol 9

A simple statement that had Bond rise, dress, and arm himself. He slipped from his quarters and entered a Jeffries tube. The saboteur crawled through the guts of the station, setting charges at critical points. When the station failed, there would be time for evacuation.

By the time the station failed, they would be so deep into the quadrant that rescue could take time. Too much time. By the time the station failed, the only option may be the Omicron system. There may be a planet or moon close enough by then. By the time the station failed, Bond would have secured passage away, with Q, in a well appointed ship.

He wasn’t going down with the station. That wasn’t part of the protocol. He was going down on Q until the moment they needed to run.

* * *
Hex was oblivious when the agent emerged from the tube access near the med bay. People used them for all sorts of things. And since the agent was in a red shirt, Hex took no note. He was much more concerned with getting back to the nest he shared with Nyx. He’d secured a parcel from Risa, delicacies both sweet and tangy. He hoped Nyx was home, though he never really counted on it. The prince moved about as he pleased and Hex was honored every single time he was chosen.

The doors whooshed open and he held the box as he scanned the room for the prince.

“Nyx?” he called int the dim room.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

tempting_the_fates

Nyx emerged from the bathroom looking a bit tense. Something felt off, but he wasn't sure what.

"I am here," he assured Hex as he came closer. "What is that?"

From:

just_hex

"Treats to enjoy from a pleasure planet," he smiled warmly. "I've tried a few, but the rest will be new to me. Come..."

It was then he saw the tension on the prince's brow.

"Nyx? Come...ate you alright?"

From:

tempting_the_fates

Nyx settled onto the bed, his favourite place to be these days, and shook his head.

"I don't know, something feels off," he admitted. "A shift in the air. Like pressure. ...It's probably in my mind though, show me the treats," he insisted.

From:

just_hex

Hex nodded and joined him, opening the simple box to reveal small, delicate bites, ornately decorated to look like jewel encrusted trinkets.

"This row is sweet, and this is not. Or less so, yeah?" he explained, taking a sweet for himself that glittered and sparkled.

From:

tempting_the_fates

Nyx took a sweet too, and nibbled at the edge.

"It's nice," he said, before taking a bite. "Very nice. I like this."

He purred just a bit, ears twitching slightly as he took another bite.

From:

just_hex

Hex smiled as he watched Nyx enjoy it.

"You feel like there's a pressure problem? I could send a query to atmospheric," he offered.

From:

tempting_the_fates

"I don't know, it might be in my head," Nyx admitted, not wanting to make a fuss for a change. "You feel nothing?"

From:

just_hex

"I feel you," he admitted. "Your worry. Concern. But I don't feel anything different in the air."

He took another from the box.

"...Which means nothing," he said. "Many beings are sensitive in ways I'm not."

Edited Date: 2024-05-24 12:24 am (UTC)

From:

tempting_the_fates

"Sometimes I just get nervous," Nyx admitted in a rare moment of honesty. "It's probably nothing."

From:

just_hex

"Perhaps, but our feelings are real," he answered gently.

He took one more of the decadent treats and offered it to Nyx.

"Could I soothe you?" he offered, his voice softer, low and warm. "Could I...distract you?"

From:

tempting_the_fates

Nyx leaned in and took a bite.

"Yes," he said after a moment. "You may. You can."

He was purring happily again, eyes focused sharply on Hex.

From:

just_hex

That prompted a smile and he fed Nyx the sweet, only to lick his fingers, and then chase the sweetness on Nyx's lips with a kiss.

His other hand slipped in against Nyx's waist where he petted him to soothe him as he enjoyed the taste of his tongue.

From:

tempting_the_fates - Date: 2024-05-27 09:26 pm (UTC) - Expand

From:

qu4r73rm4573r

The lift doors opened, and Q smiled as he saw Bond.

"Hello," he greeted cheerfully as he stepped inside and selected his floor. "I was just about to take my lunch."

Not that he needed a break, he could have worked non-stop, it just felt nice to have an excuse to be social and explore a bit.

From:

0_0_7

Bond smiled when he saw him. He'd planned to come be a bother until he was tossed out and delighted that he had the opportunity to have Q all to himself. Definitely for longer than lunch.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked.

From:

qu4r73rm4573r

"Of course not," Q assured him. "I was going to the cafe, but we could go to my flat, if you like. I have new tea I want to try," he added excitedly. "It's ginger and lemon."

From:

0_0_7

"I'd love to," he replied smoothly.

With the lift doors shut, Bond pivoted, pinning Q against the wall.

"I'm so terribly thirsty," he purred.

From:

qu4r73rm4573r

Q adapted quickly, though he still looked just a bit startled. He always did, to be fair, as though he seemed to forget just how James could be, and the entire concept of being deemed desirable.

"I'm not objecting to other activities, but I'd still like my tea first," the droid said after a beat.

From:

0_0_7

Bond smirked and backed away slightly.

"Is that in invitation, Q?" he asked, unable to contain the twinkle of mischief in his eyes.

From:

qu4r73rm4573r

The droid blushed a little and fixed his cardigan.

"I suppose it is," he admitted, adjusting his glasses as well. "Have you been busy this week?"

From:

0_0_7

"Not really," he lied smoothly.

Placing the charges had taken far longer than he'd have liked.

"But I have nothing but time until the morning." He paused. "When I leave."

From:

qu4r73rm4573r

"Oh," Q said quietly, face falling until he managed to school it back to something neutral. "I see."

The droid seemed more closed off then, putting a small amount of distance between himself and the double-o.

From:

0_0_7

"We both knew my orders would come eventually," he soothed gently.

From:

qu4r73rm4573r

"I know. I just... Well, I hoped it wouldn't be so soon," Q said, folding his arms over his chest, almost defensive.

From:

0_0_7

Bond hesitated just long enough to seem as if the idea had only come to him, rather than having been stewing for a while.

"...You could come with me..."

Just Hex

Before the Crash

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