londoncallingrpg

Ms. Ethel Vitties (Vit to her friends) was not the sort of person who usually made it onto Q's radar. She had no government ties, the most sophisticated bit of tech in her flat was her sky box (which she only owned because of a need to watch her stories), and she barely knew how to use that. She was no spy, no hacker, and at 83 with a bad hip, she posed no physical threat. ...She was just nice. They'd spoken a few dozen times, and on one occasion when he'd had to go out of town at the last minute, had agreed to let Titania and Oberon stay in her flat. No questions asked, she had simply overheard him in the hall failing to get through to the usual cat sitter or Eve, and had offered to take them.

She'd refused payment of any sort when he'd returned, and the cats had taken an instant liking to her. ...So when Q had learned just how much she was getting charged for her simple cable box and the internet she almost never used, he'd taken matters into his own hands. He'd spent the morning on the roof, rewiring the various cables and making slight improvements. Now he was parked across the street in a small cafe, tapping into Sky's customer data base to make some even more adjustments- Starting with a refund of an obscene service charge.

He was sporting his usual frumpy boffin chic look, but it was obvious he'd been busy this morning by the state of his elbows and knees, the fabric darkened and dirtied by the tar on the roof. His hair was wilder and fluffier than ever, and he was frowning at his monitor as he combed through Vit's billing history. The company really was shameless, it seemed.

When someone approached the table, he simply assumed it was a server and he covered his cup with one hand. "Actually, I'd like to switch to coffee now, if that's alright," he said, not considering the cafe might be full and the person approaching might be searching for a seat- Or, you know, a friend looking to say hello.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

just_hex

"You want me to go get you a coffee?" Hex asked, surprised but still willing to do it. In fact, he reached for Q's cup to take it to the counter.

"No problem, mate."

From:

quartermaster_q

Hex's voice was enough to pull him away from his work, and Q looked startled before offering a smile.

"Hmm? Oh, sorry, I thought you were a waiter. You don't have to get me anything Hex. ...Please, sit," he added, making a bit more room on the table.

From:

just_hex

He took a seat, and smiled at Q.

"I was coming to see you," he said. "Just to check in."

From:

quartermaster_q

"I'm not your sponsor, you don't need to check in, Hex," Q replied, his fingers still tapping away as he spoke. A beat later, however, he found himself pausing and frowning to himself. "Or are you checking in on me?" he asked.

From:

just_hex

"I'm checking in on you," he said, smiling just a little. "I haven't heard from you. Is everything alright?"

From:

quartermaster_q

Q considered the question for a moment, then nodded a little. "For the moment? Yes. Nothing terrible has happened recently, which is, honestly, the most I can ask for most of the time. Bond is well, I'm well, the cats are marvellous. Life is as normal as it dares get."

From:

just_hex

"Are you bored?" Hex asked. A lopsided grin took him over and he leaned forward a bit.

From:

quartermaster_q

Q finished what he was doing, then slowly closed his laptop so he could look at Hex properly.

"Nearly always," he confessed. "You know, except when I'm not."

If there wasn't work to do or tech to toy with- Or James to keep him on his toes, Q was always bored.

From:

just_hex

"You need a hobby, mate," Hex chuckled. "Though I don't know for the life of me what that might be. But I don't think a quiet, boring home life suits you."

From:

quartermaster_q

"Somehow I can't picture myself doing embroidery or scrapbooking," Q replied with an amused little smile. "What about you, Hex? Is life providing enough thrills for your liking?"

From:

just_hex

He shrugged a shoulder and tilted his head.

"Work's good. Though I'm starting to think maybe getting on in a clinic instead. More sedate, but better hours. Danny's...I think I should be home more than I am."

From:

quartermaster_q

"Why?" Q asked bluntly, only looking away when a server finally stopped by to take their order, pleased to be getting his coffee at last.

From:

just_hex

"He's not well, and he's living hard and fast and I think it's taking its toll on him. I just feel like we could be a bit more...boring, I guess," Hex explained.

From:

quartermaster_q

Q was silent for a moment, then nodded at his laptop.

"I could give you power of attorney temporarily. Long enough to get him into rehab," he offered.

From:

just_hex

"Rehab won't do anything for him if he's not in the right mind to quit," Hex replied. "He'd just start up again when he got out."

He paused.

"I have given some thought to asking him to marry me, though. I love him, and time is short. And...just in case he takes a bad turn and can't make his own decisions about care."

From:

quartermaster_q

"Not a bad idea, from a practical point of view anyway. However, are you sure it's what you want, Hex? An addict with a serious health condition is a lot to commit to," Q replied, not sure if he approved of this plan. "As your friend, I'm inclined to advise against it."

From:

just_hex

"That's why I haven't asked him yet. It's a lot to consider," he agreed quietly. "But if I wait too long...might regret putting it off."

From:

quartermaster_q

"I suppose all I can do is advise that you proceed with caution, Hex," Q said gently.

From:

just_hex

"We'll see what happens," he replied. It was obvious enough he wasn't settled on anything. He kept going back and forth, should he or shouldn't he? He had yet to land on an answer.

"What were you doing when I walked up? You looked so serious," he asked, changing the subject.

From:

quartermaster_q

"A woman in my building was having issues with her television service. ...I've corrected them," Q said, never revealing too much about what he was up to. "I'd offer my services to you as well, but a portion of it is quite hands on, and I've seen enough rooftops for one day."

He paused a beat, then seemed thoughtful. "Speaking of entertainment, have you started work on your videos again yet?" he asked.

From:

just_hex

"I haven't. When Stanley vanished and I slipped up, I just haven't gotten back into making them. I've been working on me book, though. Trying to finish it. Bit at a time," he said.

From:

quartermaster_q

"Mmm, odd business that, your manager's disappearance that is. ...Do hope you weren't involved," Q said, watching Hex closely for a moment.

From:

just_hex

"No, not me. I haven't a clue what happened to him...though if I ever do see him again I can't guarantee I won't pop him in the mouth for what he did to Fin," he replied honestly.

From:

quartermaster_q

"I have my doubts you'll ever get that chance," Q said honestly, his words revealing the fact that he'd looked into the man's disappearance at least a little.