Chapter Text
“Q.”
The slight irritation apparent in Moneypenny’s tone suggested that this was not her first attempt to garner the quartermaster’s attention.
It also implied this was the last time such a request would occur in a polite fashion.
“Yes. Yes. I know. I’ll get you those forms once I’ve finished-“
Before Q could begin extoling the long list of projects that needed completing before he even glanced at the comparatively dull paperwork that M had sent Moneypenny to strong-arm him, quite literally if necessary, for, she asked, “What is that on your hand?”
Q looked down at said appendage as though expecting to find something other than the ring to which she was referring.
“That, my dearest Moneypenny, is called a wedding ring. I should think you would be aware of their existence considering a large portion of the adult population wears one.“
She rolled her eyes at his deliberate obtuseness.
“I know what it is. I meant since when have you had cause to wear one?”
“Well, as the name implies, such a ring signifies marriage. Therefore, I’ll say I was given plenty of cause yesterday. When I got married. “
His tone that suggested such a conclusion should have been obvious.
She glowered at him and looked ready to delve much, much further into the subject of his recent nuptials, when James Bond stalked into Q's office with his usual disregard for the social convention of knocking.
“Ah Quartermaster. You’re here.”
“As we are in my office, I’m not entirely sure why this comes as a surprise, 007.”
He eyed the agent in that quintessentially Q manner best equated to a God amused by the antics of lesser beings.
Bond raised an eyebrow, “I heard you had a tiring night. Thought you might be sleeping it off.”
“Nothing I couldn’t handle.” Q replied primly, the quirk at the corner of his mouth tainting his deadpan delivery.
“Perhaps I can offer a more exhaustive challenge.” Bond suggested as he leaned his elbows on Q’s desk, thoroughly invading his space.
“Ah ah, James.” Moneypenny warned. “No flirting with the Quartermaster. He’s taken.”
Not moving his gaze from where it rested on Q, examining the younger man at its leisure, he questioned, “Is that so?”
Q held up his hand in order to more prominently display his ring, flashing Bond a shameless, shit-eating grin.
“Yes. Quite permanently I’m afraid.”