airbaths | 。

[ She's done well for herself.

New job as quartermaster of MI6 means a considerable upgrade to living arrangements. Of course, when she bought the place, she didn't foresee a few minor fixes and dents, as well as new paint she already planned on. Oh well. That's another bonus in those upgrades: you don't have to worry. Someone else does.

Q's yet to see the man actually working on her space. Foreign hours usually dictate working well outside of "normal" for everyone else. Today, however, is one of the first days off she's had in ages and it feels fantastic. Or, it would if not for the noise. She's not upset at the worker. It's hardly his fault. Banging doesn't make for a pleasant alarm clock either way.

Q lets out a long breath and drags herself from bead. Might as well see a morning for the first time in ages. After a few minutes, she's dressed (cardigan, collard shirt, jeans for a day off) and finishing off her usual bun as she makes her way downstairs. ]

Good morning.

[ She sort-of calls as she rounds the corner. Wouldn't want to startle the poor man. ]

[ Lance has never actually met the person who hired him, it's all been e-mails and phone calls and post-it notes, and apparently she's been busy enough that they've not even crossed paths in the building itself.

He's not seen any sign of anyone else, either, so he assumes that i) she is perhaps too trusting (Lance would steal or anything, but someone else might!) and ii) apparently lives alone, so is perhaps single.

The sound of her voice makes him turn from where he's been taking down shelves to properly repaint a wall which is an atrocious shade of green currently and he makes another assessment.

She is, in fact, really quite beautiful.

Lance blinks stupidly a moment, trying to remember how speech works, then straightens and sets down his tools -- wipes dust off his hands onto his jeans and paces over. ]

I'm sorry if I woke you, I can try and be quieter.

[ There's little need to worry about theft. There are more secret security devices around this home than in certain offices at MI6. All very well hidden, so good luck even knowing one if you run into it.

Q herself is taken aback. This repairman he's-- Well. He's--

She seems to have no reaction other than a bat or two of her eyes. Actually, she's counting herself a little lucky. Nothing wrong with something good to look at in the morning. Q gives a polite and small smile. ]

Not at all. I'm not usually home now. [ Which is why it's fine for him to do as he (relatively) pleases. Now, to keep from being rude in return. ] Would you like some tea?

You're very kind, Miss Bell, that would be lovely.

[ He nods slightly in thanks, offering her his best smile, and half turns back towards the wall before hesitating -- glancing over at her and tilting his head a little. ]

And I hope you don't mind my saying, but you certainly live up to the name.

[ Lance lets his smile flick up a notch before picking up his tools and returning to carefully removing the shelves. ]

[ She gives a polite nod of her own in turn, turning to make tea for the two of them.

Q's stopped as Lancelot has an addendum. That... Makes absolutely no sense. Catherine itself is something akin to innocence and purity. He can't possibly mean that. Unless he's just that forward right away.

She asks in honest confusion, facing him again, ]

I beg your pardon?

[ He glances back toward her, tilts his head as he tries to decide if she genuinely requires clarification or if he has offended her in some way. Settling on the former he flicks his eyes away again, pushing his weight into removing a screw as he tries to word his explanation. ]

The belle of the ball is the most beautiful woman there. French, from the Latin bella I believe.

[ Finally working it loose he stops before the shelf falls, moving along to begin loosening the second and glancing back toward her. ]

I mean no disrespect.

[ Oh. Oh.

...

That doesn't happen every day.

Q feels her cheeks turning pink, but she is doing her absolute best to keep from looking too shocked. She clears her throat and smiles again. ]

None taken. [ And off she goes the few feet away from his work to begin making their tea. She glances up from her own work. ] Is knowing Latin a requirement for handiwork?

No, but it doesn't hurt.

[ He pauses when the screw is near enough loose, shoves the screwdriver through one of his belt loops and braces the shelf with one hand while works them the rest of the way out with his fingers. ]

Latin is the root of many things, most of us use it every day in some minor way -- we just do not know it.

[ Typical man. He might as well give up now. But, it has been quite a while that Q's had a conversation that didn't involve yelling and explosions.

She nods and leans on the counter as the water boils. Her hands support her on the counter top. ]

Quid, for example.

[ Ahh, yes. Lancelot smiles a little more, pocketing one screw as it comes free and swapping hands to brace the shelf and work out the other. ]

As in quid pro quo?

[ He glances sideways at her, letting his amusement show, then shakes his head a little as he eases the shelf off the wall and pockets the other screw. ]

I do not doubt you know more about it than I do, I simply find it interesting.

[ She smiles a little brighter with eyebrows raised, honestly impressed. It's not everyday you can find someone else to know little facts like that.

Q crosses her arms and ankles. ]

I actually know only very basic things about language. Computers are my expertise.

[ She did have someone compare her work with computers to art once. Perhaps that would be a better word for it. Sounds awfully pretentious... ]

Computers have their own language too, do they not? It may not be spoken, but it is written.

[ He runs a hand over the wall examining the screw holes thoughtfully before making a decision and moving to set the shelf a little more out of the way. ]

What is it you do, if you don't mind?

[ He certainly is trying hard applying romanticism to computers. Does he think this is a porn setting? Handsome Handyman Teaches Nerd Hot Loving?

Still, she has to give him credit for seeming legitimately interested. After a quick glance at his physique, she answers. ]

IT under government contracts. Yes, I know, very thrilling.

Would you say painting and decorating was more exciting?

[ He turns back to her, tilts his head a little and flicks a faint smile. ]

When you were a child, what is it you wished to be? When you 'grew up'.

[ Lance considers her a moment, turns back to the wall and reaches for a tool to drag the plugs from the wall. ]

I always wanted to be a knight. To fight for honour, justice, freedom and love. Of course, knights do not exist any more.

[ He shrugs a little, smile turning a little rueful for a second as he works one free. ]

You certainly get to talk to a load of lonely housewives.

[ It's her cheeky little way of letting him know she's onto that sort of game. Especially the talk of knights. He can't be serious.

Yet... She finds herself unable to really question his body language or the sincerity in his tone. She supposes everyone has ridiculous childhood dreams. Q allows her arms to unfold to prop herself against the counter. ]

I wanted to be a ballerina at one point. You see how far that got me.

[ Knights, knights... Why does that stick out in her mind in relationship to this man? She turns as the kettle whistles and prepares their tea. Q calls from over her shoulder, ]

How do you take it?

Ah -- a little milk, no sugar please.

[ He tugs the wall plug out, drops it and dusts himself down a little before starting work on the other. ]

Did you ever take a class in ballet? I took a few fencing classes, but... it wasn't quite the same.

[ Easy enough to please. Her own tea soon finished, she brings it to the edge of the kitchen. Q makes sure to keep out of the way until there's no more flying wood. ]

You couldn't wear armor, for a start.

[ Which is not mocking, honestly. She has a similar experience of being disappointment when she was younger. ]

Yes... I suppose you could say I didn't have the talent for it.

[ And out her hand goes with his tea, polite smile to follow it. ]

[ He drops his tools again once the last plug is free of the wall, dusts himself down a second time as she answers and offers a rueful smile as he steps over to take the tea. ]

I suppose we are both stuck as we are, then. Do you like it? Your job.

[ If she likes it then he supposes it doesn't matter, after all. ]

[ Once his is out of her hands, she can begin to drink her own.

He's awfully chatty, this one. Q supposes it could be worse. He hasn't made any obvious passes. He hasn't been rude. Actually, he's been very lovely so far. ]

I love my job. [ She says with a brighter smile than any before. ] I wake up every morning exhausted and happy.

[ A pause for a sip. ]

And you?

[ Lance shrugs a little, sipping his own tea as he considers this. ]

It pays the bills, and I like the variety in it. I get to meet a lot of people, see a lot of places. That's good enough for now, I think.

But it's not what you love to do.

[ Half an observation and half a question. Oh, why not. He's definitely handsome and charming. She's had little exposure to simple small talk as of late.

Another sip to her own tea as he responds. ]

No.

[ He drops his eyes a moment, staring into his tea before he looks up again to clarify. ]

I don't know what I want. I envy people who do, if I'm honest.

[ She has to admit, he's good. She's already feeling rather sorry for him. His sincerity seems real enough. Q will give him that.

And a small apologetic smile. ]

Do you have anything to go on other than sword fighting and rescuing damsels?

[ Lance lets out a soft huff of laughter at that, meets her apologetic smile with a warm one and shrugs a little. ]

Not at all. If I did, it would be easier -- but, it seems I have yet to find my inspiration. Perhaps fate still has something in store for me, just not now.

[ He sets aside his tea carefully, picks up the poly-filler and examines the screw holes carefully before setting to work. ]

Do you have the day off, then?

[ Careful, Catherine... You may end up losing focus. Goodness knows you don't need to have some fun every now and again.

She toasts her tea to his good luck before her next sip. She makes sure to keep out of the way, but definitely not retreating. ]

Yes, actually. Should I leave you to it?

THE HANDYMAN • sounds like a porno, is just very awkward

It'd be a sexy porno though

NICE lance icons mmm

I thought you'd approve

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