Chapter Text
“It always makes me feel so melancholy…”
007 froze. Because he knew that voice. He had heard that voice so many times over the years he could never forget it. It was the voice in his dreams that kept him alive on so many occasions… he looked out of the corner of his eye, spying a head of dark curls beside him. God, he was so close to Quinn…
But he couldn’t face Quinn here, while he was on assignment, let alone that he had been declared dead several months ago…if Quinn saw him here, what would he say? What could he say? He was MI6’s property again; he couldn’t tell his husband anything about what he did.
Quinn was still talking, probably about his interpretation of the painting or whatnot…007 had missed that voice. He wanted so desperately to ask Quinn if he was alright, if the children were alright…what a terrible father he was. What a terrible husband.
But Queen and Country had called on him.
He needed to get out of there before Quinn recognized him, “Excuse me…” He muttered deeply, keeping his head turned away from Quinn.
“James…”
If ever James could feel his heart break, it was then. Hearing Quinn call to him in such a hesitant manner…but he had an assignment to do…he only hoped Quinn could forgive him after this assign—
“007.”
James froze at the sound of Quinn’s voice so firm and authoritative: even when he scolded the children, he was kind about it. And he called James 007…
Slowly, James sunk into his seat, turning to look at Quinn. The younger man was still looking at the painting, almost ignoring James save for the fact he had called him by name and number.
“Quin—“
“I’m your new Quartermaster.” Quinn said bluntly.
James blinked, “You must be joking…”
“Why? Because I’m not in a labcoat?” Quinn asked wryly, looking at James.
He nearly lost it, his breath catching in his throat to hear his husband’s sense of humor again, “Because that would mean…”
“I know everything James.” Quinn nodded, face emotionless.
James could feel his shoulder sagging, “No more secrets…damn, I couldn’t lie to you anymore.”
“Good, so you won’t mind explaining something to me.” Quinn still hadn’t so much as given any emotional response to James, “V-E-S-P-E-R.”
There was a cold block of ice sitting in James’s gut. Because he knew were this was going…and he knew it wouldn’t end well. “Vesper…she reminded me of you, in a way.” It was a pitiful excuse, and they both knew it.
“I see, and the rest of the women?” Quinn frowned, “Can you imagine having to read through your husband’s list of lovers? And when that list isn’t short?”
James hung his head. He always had trouble facing Quinn whenever one of those missions came up, but now it was just impossible.
Quinn took a deep breath, “Give me one reason, one good reason, James,” He said, his voice shaking, “why I shouldn’t leave you with this case of weapons and walk out of your life? Tell M to relocate me and the children and never see you again?”
It was then James had to look at his husband, and he saw the tears threatening to fall from his eyes. Damnit, his years as a 00 had nearly destroyed his marriage…and if he couldn’t convince Quinn to stay, he’d never get the chance to make things right. “Because, while MI6 might technically own my body, you and the kids…you’ve always had everything else. Damnit Quinn, you’re the reason I didn’t let myself die when it would have been so easy to…you and the kids are my life.”
There was a tense moment when James feared Quinn would run out the museum and he’d never see his husband or children again. Quinn shook his head, his hands clenched into fists, “Damn you…damn you, James Bond, for making me love you so…”
“I love you too Quinn.”
Quinn smirked, “It’s Q now, remember?”