Bond is back at his old club, after an injury to his right shoulder (inflicted in practice by his protégé Moneypenny, some kind of flèche into a flèche situation) he went through surgery and a lot of physio which meant he was away from the sport for years and he wasn't sure if he wanted to do it anymore. But he gets depressed and starts drinking so when dench!M hears about it she immediately turns up at his flat, tells him to pull himself together and have a wash. She expects him back at the club. She doesn't take no for an answer.
Now he's back in brand new shiny white kit but still looking haggard (he sold all his stuff when he was in mardy about the whole thing and quit) He's having a complex about moving into the veteran's (over 40s) category. Everyone else at the club is in awe of him bc he's a former world champion and Olympic medallist. But that was a long time ago.
There is, however, one person who is absolutely not impressed by his whole shtick, a young upstart épéeist who he's told is new to the club, but seems to be very promising. His quite dismissive when Bond introduces himself so Bond immediately asks him for the first bout. He's a leftie – always something to be wary of – but Bond's not worried. The chap's en garde position is horribly awkward, stiff, slightly hunched. Bond gets an easy first hit to elbow, something like that. 1 - nil. The second hit is more difficult. The bloke does know his distance. Bond pushes him back and hits with a reprise. 2 - nil. Third hit also easy, right in the mask, 3 - nil. Bond grins, he's still got it. Now he's confident he lands and extravagant flick, much to the delight of the small crowd of gathering onlookers. M just rolls her eyes. 4 - nil.
When Q next comes en guard Bond notices something different about him, his postures still awkward, Bond can't put his finger on what it is. He doesn't have to wait long to find out, he lunges but Q gets him with a stop hit to arm. He doesn't even register the second hit at first, one second he's fine the next second the lights are on and the box is beeping. He'd been hit neatly and efficiently right on the joint of his ring finger where it must be just visible below his guard. The next hit lands exactly the same, and the next. He frowns. 4 - 4.
It's not wholly one sided, Bond gets more wary, especially of his hand, but then Q switches it up and gets him three times in the leg. They get twitchy, keeping their distance and toying with each other while the clock runs down. Eventually Q wins out. It's close, but not that close: 12 - 15 and nearly the full 9 minutes gone.
Everyone is fucking horrified and thinks Bond's going to blow a gasket (he's got a history of being a sore loser) but when he takes off his mask and goes for the handshake he's smirking. Q makes a quip and points out the flaws in his technique. Bond listens quietly and smiles. Don't get it twisted he's NOT happy about losing but he has the bit between his teeth now. A new challenge for him to sink his teeth into. Over the weeks and months they fall into this back and forth, Bond starts winning but only rarely, and at some point Bond's like.... hmmm I'm interested
Bond is a sabre and épéeist, Q is a pure épéeist (focus on one thing, no faffing about). Q's handy with electrics and a screwdriver and is always finding some tiny thing to adjust and fiddle with his own weapon.
Bond is rough on his equipment so when he notices this he immediately starts bothering Q to fix everything. "It's not difficult, you'd be perfectly capable of doing it yourself." "I know I just like seeing you work with your hands." "If you've broken another blade I will run you through with it." "No you cannot borrow mine, I know you won't give it back!" "Does that sound like something I'd do?" "Yes! You've done it no less than FOUR TIMES!!".
Bond is a french grip purist, but Q insists on getting him a more ergonomic handle to help compensate for his shoulder injury, and maybe a super bendy blade bc bond loves to flick hit (he's a show off and an arse).
Moneypenny's no longer competing, she's training to be a coach under dench!M and Mallory. Bond is so put out by this and he can't understand it at first but eventually comes around to her being perfectly good but just not enjoying competing anymore/ having other priorities and not wanting to give up her entirely life for sport/ a little bit of residual trauma from nearly killing Bond. Maybe Tanner's a strength and conditioning PT, and a mediocre non competitive foilist, and Bond's former bestie from his Olympic days.
