Q

[goodfellow]

The last time Robin had seen Quentin, he had at some point boasted about the state of the security in his building. Apparently he had been overreaching in this confidence.

The first text was a photograph. It was of Robin's bedroom, taken with a camera with a very, very good zoom, from a building across the street. Angled slightly upwards, as the building was shorter, and Robin was in the penthouse. He usually didn't bother to close his blinds for this reason. And also because he didn't really care. Though he hadn't expected anyone to take advantage of that to photograph him.

Though it wasn't just him in the photograph: it was him and Quentin, from the one time they had had sex in Robin's home. Robin was on his back with his legs wrapped around Quentin, who despite his small stature was actually quite good at topping (and who had balked a bit when he'd seen the size of Robin's cock).

A text followed it: he's bored out of his mind. fucking you is like doing his taxes.

That was all that came, until the next day, when another photograph arrived. This one was also of Robin's bedroom, empty this time. An unmade bed. Except this time the photograph was clearly taken by someone standing inside the bedroom.

And following that picture were a string of texts detailing Robin's recent sexual encounters, each critiquing his performance in increasingly vulgar and cruel terms.

And at the end of those, a voice recording. Quentin's voice saying "I apologize, I'm not good company tonight. Perhaps I should go while you still have time to salvage your night."

A text followed: kind of him not to just tell you what utter rubbish you are. the little whore will fuck anything that moves, but he draws the line at you.

Robin grew more and more murderous as he read through all this, coming close to throwing his phone against the wall. In the end, he called Quentin, whom he hadn't spoken to since that night, and demanded to meet him. He chose a bar on the other side of the city from his apartment, and waited for him there.

Comments

[quartermaster_q]

Q rubbed his jaw again, then offered a small shrug. "What you are, how old you may be, has no influence on what I know about you. As far as I'm aware, you are a decent man. A touch arrogant, a bit egotistical, but a decent man... He is not. I'm an intelligent man, but I am not half as intelligent as he is. He is a mastermind, a powerful manipulator, who is morally devoid and dangerous when fixated.

I knew the sort of man you were within moments of meeting you. Not what you were, I admit, but who you were. I saw faults, but I also saw something good. I could see a devious man with a good heart, Rob. ...I lived under that man's thumb for years, and it wasn't until it was too late that I ever had even a fraction of a clue as to who he was. To someone like me- That's terrifying."

[goodfellow]

"So what do you do now?" asked Robin. "And Quentin... I'm afraid I'm already involved, regardless. I haven't seen you in a month, and I just got these texts. I guess I could be pissed off but I'd rather just help you deal with it."

[quartermaster_q]

"Common sense tells me I should run- But that isn't really an option," Q admitted. "Even if I could leave England, he'd find me. I suppose I just have to hope I find him first."

[goodfellow]

"When you told me about him last time you seemed horrified when I suggested having him killed," Robin said. Which, to be fair, knowing now that they were being listened to, might be part of the reason why the man had decided Robin was worth his attention.

[quartermaster_q]

"Just because I'm certain he's going to wind up dead, doesn't mean I want him dead. ...Though I'm not sure I want him alive either," Q admitted quietly.

[goodfellow]

"You've basically said he's evil," Robin pointed out. "And that he's coming after you and the people you care about. I don't exactly have a low bar for wanting someone dead, but I'm pretty sure that would be above it."

[quartermaster_q]

"He was my whole world for a very long time. That's not an expression or an exaggeration. He kept me in an apartment, not far from his home. He didn't let me go out, didn't allow me to socialize- And I was too young to know better. I allowed it, because I believed he loved me. He was all I had for a while- And he wasn't always unkind... He had his moments. Or, at least, he knew how to fake it enough that it felt real," Q replied quietly.

[goodfellow]

Robin felt like the two part solution to this problem was death and therapy.

"Some of the worst psychopaths I've ever known had really impressive moments," Robin said. "And cities burned. You need to protect yourself."

[quartermaster_q]

"I know, and rationally- I understand that. I've no intention of getting in the way when we finally capture him. If he dies, I'll not take a bullet for him. It's not like that. I just- Have conflicting emotions, that's all- And that's all they are. Emotions. ...I'm very good ignoring those," he assured Rob.

[goodfellow]

"Good," Robin said. "Because I think this is a situation where that will serve you well. Now, are you going to let me help?"

[quartermaster_q]

"No offence, Rob- But what can you do?" Q asked bluntly, studying the man and wondering if Rob had some secret weapon up his sleeve. "I'm not mocking I'm being genuine- How do you feel you can help? I'm willing to entertain suggestions"

[goodfellow]

"Yes, I think mocking would be inappropriate considering how little you know about me," Robin said. After all, for all Quentin knew, he was a god.

...he wasn't, of course, and neither did he have anything like that kind of power, but he could.

"But I was mostly thinking that if your co-workers - who, let's be fair, are probably near to the best humanity has to offer for this kind of thing - aren't able to solve your problem for you then perhaps you should look outside of humanity. That is what I can connect you to."

[quartermaster_q]

"You think something not human could find him?" Q asked, looking interested for a moment- then frowning as the reality of it all hit him.

"No- No I don't want to drag in anyone or anything else. It's kind of you to offer, Rob, but... I need to protect what I am, and I don't want to see anyone else in harms way."

[goodfellow]

Robin looked at Quentin skeptically. But he could tell that there was no changing his mind. He was tempted to just do something himself, but he also had a feeling that it might help Quentin to handle this on his own. Maybe less therapy needed after.

"Okay," he finally said.

[quartermaster_q]

"Thank you," Q said, his tone sincere as he relaxed in his seat.

"Will you be going back to yours after this? If you're in need of one, I can get you a hotel for the week. Something secure."

In other words, something crawling with MI6 agents.

[goodfellow]

"I don't think I would get on well with that sort of company," Robin said, having an idea precisely what he had in mind. "If I wanted to disappear I could do so quite easily."

[quartermaster_q]

"Alright- Just... Assure me you'll take extra care then," Q said quietly, hesitating, and then reaching across the table to touch Rob's hand. The tips of his fingers brushed over the other man's knuckles, and it was as close to affection as the quartermaster was ever likely to offer.

[goodfellow]

Robin actually looked a touch surprised at that little show of affection, but then he only nodded. "I'd be more worried about yourself than me, though."

[quartermaster_q]

"I refuse to cower from him," Q said simply.

[goodfellow]

"He hasn't been questioning your sexual prowess has he?" Robin asked dryly.

[quartermaster_q]

"No, I can't say he has. ...That's not a tender spot for me though," he pointed out. "He did help a group of terrorists abduct me during a mission in Paris, however. I must admit, I'd take a few snide texts over torture any day."

[goodfellow]

"So would I," Robin said. And it was true.

"I know you probably think my pride is my defining characteristic, but I'm more concerned about the surveillance than the mockery."

[quartermaster_q]

"Unfortunately- I don't yet know how he's monitoring people," Q admitted, looking unhappy about that fact.

[goodfellow]

"Well then, if it makes you feel better as well, I think I'll be hiring some personal security for a time," Robin said. A vampire, perhaps. No, useless in the daylight. Perhaps a werewolf.

[quartermaster_q]

"I think that's a wise thing to do," Q agreed, nodding a little. "I can't stress to you enough how much of a danger I fear he could be to you."

He sighed then, looking out the window once more.

"I am very sorry for inadvertently dragging you into all of this Rob."