plasticasshole | Noctium IC Inbox

[Connor, despite the sadness he'd felt recently after thinking Hank was ignoring him, perks up immediately upon hearing the man's voice. And his heart sinks immediately afterwards, as he hears that Hank was actually in hospital this entire time.

He should have known something wasn't right. Why would Hank just stop talking to him otherwise? He'd been thinking he'd done something to upset him because he wasn't answering his calls, but in reality... Connor finds himself sitting silently for a few long minutes, just overwhelmed by the feeling of being- well, a bad friend. He didn't even think to check the hospital.

He's going to assume Hank is home now, so instead of leaving a message he just heads straight over. He rings the doorbell a little too aggressively, eyes wide and anxious, LED bright red.]

[Well, he had expected Connor to at least write something, so when he does answer the door, there is a look of surprise at who is on the other side.]

Jesus Connor, don't look at me like that...I promise I'm fine now.

[Mostly cause he's not sure what to say. Hank looks a little thinner than before (in part cause of the situation but also because hospital food is hospital food no matter what part of the multiverse you stay in).]

Anyway, I should be apologizing. Couldn't even send out a message.

[Connor seems to be having some difficulty deciding how he should feel, though it eventually settles on angry. Not at Hank, exactly- it's very obviously directed at himself.]

You shouldn't be apologising! I should have- why didn't I check-

[Stressed, he closes his eyes for a moment before looking at Hank properly.]

I'm sorry, Hank. I thought... I thought you were avoiding me. I should have known you wouldn't... not for no reason.

[It's always interesting, in a strange way, to see how much Connor had 'grown' once he had gone deviant. Trying to figure out which emotion better fit a situation or not...]

Now listen here, if someone should be sorry it's me and...

[God are they really going to go at it like this?]

...Eh fuck it. Look, admittedly I'd been trying to give you some space since you moved out so I can understand you thinkin' that too. Before we continue to argue or whatever, wanna come in at least? Sure the place is a little dusty, but it's fine.

[Connor just nods, waiting for Hank to move aside so he can come in.]

I'm not arguing with you.

[Though his irritable tone would suggest otherwise.]

But why would you think I wanted space? I didn't move out in order to avoid you!

[He paces around the living room once he's there, hands on his hips.]

[It could sound like it Connor. But hey, at least they can yell better inside.]

Look, I never said it was a fucking smart deduction, but I wanted to give you some time to enjoy yourself? Look, it made sense at the time.

[The other Connor had lived with someone else too...Hank gave him plenty of space too. He holds a hand to his face and sighs.]

Christ, I realize it sounds stupid NOW.

I happen to enjoy myself more when my friends aren't trying to give me space I didn't ask for.

[Folding his arms, Connor fixes Hank with a look that's both stern and yet worried at the same time.]

And when they're not landing themselves in hospital, too. What did you even do? Have you even been creating Manna with people?

[Did Hank even have the energy required to go around saving people?]

You were explicitly told that you'd need more Manna to keep yourself going.

I was gonna talk to you about it after the concert.

[Not that he can really prove this right now with what happened. HE raises his arms then slings them down again, also annoyed, but both with the reaction and Hank's own very guilty feelings.]

I did a bit...look clearly not enough. I was dumb and stupid, okay?

[The answer is: not enough.]

About what? I didn't realise there was anything to discuss.

[Did Hank take his moving out personally?]

If I've done something to upset you, I'd like to know about it. Because right now, I don't understand what the problem is.

Oh for fuck's sake--Connor, it's not you, it's me!

[Or at least he thinks its him - that feeling of both Connors moving out. Maybe it's just a constant thing? Maybe if Sumo was here, he'd feel a little better. Maybe. Who knows. So personally, but not for the reasons that Connor thinks.]

You're living the life you should be living, y'know? An old man like me just...look as I said, wasn't thinkin' too clearly. Thought you might need more space since you moved out, clearly that's not what you wanted.

[Grumpy old man is grumpy, news at ten. An old man who feels a little sluggish at the moment as he takes to a chair.]

I--look, mind holding my hand for a bit while we keep talkin?

[He does look apologetic about it.]

[Connor sighs, sitting down beside Hank and taking his hand. It feels odd to be holding hands while they effectively "argue" but he wants Hank to feel better.]

Why does your age matter?

[He gives Hank a frown, not understanding.]

You think I moved out because- what, you're supposed to be just a sad old man? That isn't it, and you know it.

[Despite everything, he's moving closer and taking Hank's hand in his other one too, clutching it with both hands as he looks up at him.]

Tell me how you really feel.

[The effect does seem to be near-instantaneous, like having a sudden small burst of energy.]

Well uh...you know...

[Goddammit.]

That's not what I meant either just that you...[Christ, how does he even begin to explain this.] Other you...we never lived together at all and then at one point you left, you know? Like it was just me around...well me and the other people I knew but you get the fucking picture.

[Tell him how you feel? If only it was that easy.]

You need space, or at least I thought you did, but there's always that fear one day you'll be gone again. Or that I'll be gone from this place.

[So his fear of loss meant he tried to get away from it, because that's very logical (except it's not). It was, however, somewhat every much who Hank was. Not quite ignoring a problem, but trying to get away from it so he can detach himself. Even if he cared.]

So uh...sorry. Guess I came off more of an asshole than anything else.

[There's more, but it's a start.]

[Connor nods slowly, frowning.]

There's... a chance we could leave the other alone here, yes. Of course it's crossed my mind. And we have no idea where we'll end up next. But surely that's more reason to spend more time together here while we can? We never got a chance to just be friends in Detroit. There was always a case, or a mission... something always had to be done. Now we have the time, and yet...

[And yet here they are.]

I had thought that perhaps you didn't really like me, after all. Maybe in Detroit it had been more convenient to pretend. I didn't want to believe it, but I couldn't help but to jump to conclusions when left with my own thoughts. If we'd had this conversation beforehand, things might've been less painful.

[He laughs, somewhat bitterly at that.]

Yeah...conversation is one of my biggest issue. I try to avoid it if I can...Christ.

[Made a mountain out of an anthill, that's what happened.]

Nah I...do like you Connor. I just hate losing people and...I acted like an idiot. I'm sorry.

It can't be helped now.

[Connor leans in against Hank, closing his eyes and just enjoying the contact. He'd missed him.]

Next time, please just tell me if something is wrong. I'm very advanced, but I can't read minds.

[He opens his eyes briefly, looking up at Hank from his spot against his shoulder.]

Got it?

Yeah...

[Hank wasn't trying to get the hell out of dodge at least now with this. He can't help but snicker at that.]

Weren't you built for that kind of analyses? Sorry, sorry...can't help it. Anyway, yeah I promise. I'll be more...open about it.

Built to read small tells in the body? Yes. That's difficult to do when I can't see you, don't you think?

[But he seems to relax, leaning back against him.]

Good. If there's anything else you need to tell me, now would be a good time.

Yeah yeah okay, fine, fine, I fucking get it.

[It is nice to relax a little after all of that and he slumps a little as well, adjusting his pose so that they touch a little more. Hank is probably the least subtle person when it comes to things like this, admittedly. It's like watching him trying to figure out his phone.]

Uhh...not that I know of...lived with a cannibal for a bit? Ever open a fridge and it looks like the scene of ten murders? Or that they gave me a job for software security? Ended up quittin' after the first week. Kinda glad they don't throw jobs at you here.

[It is rather ironic, considering how much job issues were happening in Detroit due to the androids.]

Maybe if I get stronger again I'll be able to summon Sumo. Kinda sucks I can't seem to do that here.

[Connor raises his eyebrows, a little blindsided by the random information but carefully storing it away all the same.]

It would be nice to have Sumo here, wouldn't it? It would be some company for you, perhaps a little exercise when you talk him for walks.

[Those seem like important things, to Connor.]

I wouldn't mind a pet, but Ethan needs the house kept very clean- as you probably recall. Though I have been considering if something like a reptile would be suitable.

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"Hmmm why am I am not getting tags back?" *notices did not hit send* "Goddamit--"

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"Hmmm why am I am not getting tags back?" notices did not hit send "Goddamit--"