[He takes another bait, slides it onto the hook.] You see this little bit hanging loose? You want that so that the movement will catch the fish's attention. Some lures have shiny parts too but... looks like basic works pretty well here.
[It's nice to be needed, but it sucks that it's at Connor's expense.]
I had to ask more than once, too. At one of those summer camps that were all the rage in the 90s.
[It's odd to reminisce at someone that never had a childhood.]
[He finds himself slumping a little. But remembers all those times that Connor had said that he wasn't fast enough. Or that he miscalculated. He always has to do things perfectly. Hank wonders briefly what he thought of a deeply flawed person like him- okay, well, he knows. He found him suicidal and passed out in the floor.]
[But he sighs and offers the lure and hook back.]
You might have to ask things a lot of times. We're a little fucked that way.
[He starts prepping his own line to cast again after that.]
Which good things? The ones about being human or just hobbies?
...Well, I tell you one thing. When we get back to the Inn, sign up for a massage. That'll feel great after the walk we've had.
[He watches the water. It's oddly pristine. Feels kind of fake, but... at least not as fake as those screen murals. The salt smells real. The sand feels real. The warmth by him feels real. So... he guesses he'll take it for what they are.]
I could show you how to dance, too. I remember how to do that.
Depends on how in tune with your partner you are. If you can coordinate with each other, eventually you won't step on each other's toes. Sometimes even if you're great dancers, if the two of you have different intentions, it's a crapshoot about who throws in the towel first.
As for the stuff about being human... I don't know. I guess we still need to do the chocolate thing.
Look, I'm offering to buy you chocolates and take you dancing. You're practically going on a date. There, you managed to do one difficult human thing without mortifying incident.
[He reels in his line again and warns.] Gonna cast. [Just to make sure Connor doesn't at the same time and get them tangled.]
[Except he does actually turn a little red and he feels his face heat up and he hates that it did that.]
There's a lot better people out there to go on a date with than me. You're new but you're A plus material. Good looking, talented, determined, low on baggage. I'll make sure you get the rest right.
[Does he not want Connor to go on a date with someone else sometime? But that wouldn't make sense. He can't lock him away like that. But there's the smallest pang of almost jealousy he can't quite work out.]
You weren't joking, were you?
[Of course he wasn't. Connor's not the best at humor. But he'd assumed he was taking the piss.] I um...
[Clumsy. Clumsy words happening.] ...I mean. I just thought I'd be... practice... Fucking shit. I'm ass at this, aren't I?
[Connor just looks confused. Of course, he knows that dates are what couples do, but he's maybe missing the significance of them. He doesn't know exactly what they involve.]
I wasn't joking.
[He says it mildly enough, but his expression is still one of confusion as he looks back out at the water. He's not sure what Hank's problem is. He was the one who suggested it, so why wouldn't it be appropriate?]
[Hank's still working it out this horrifying reality and prospect in his brain. This piece of shit... He can just- he can just admit that he finds someone the best option. Without fear. Just there it is. Information on the table. And without the concern that it's just because he mostly knows Hank out of his three months off life. He sounds just fuckin' fine with this.]
[Hank guesses that low baggage thing is a joy.]
I guess I'll actually have to dress up.
[He's in Pokemon land talking about taking his now human partner on a date. He's dead. He's gotta be dead. He finally 'won' at Russian Roulette.]
I'll pick something out when I'm asking around about temp work.
[Hank turns where he is, and looks at Connor's delicate finger tracing shapes. Looks at his quiet face. And it's funny how that stupid face can shut him down so quickly. He's gotta admit he's weak to it, from the first time this nerd winked at him.]
I'd really like to show you.
[That he says genuinely, without doubt.] It just surprised me a little that you'd say that, that's all.
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[It's nice to be needed, but it sucks that it's at Connor's expense.]
I had to ask more than once, too. At one of those summer camps that were all the rage in the 90s.
[It's odd to reminisce at someone that never had a childhood.]
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[He used to be able to just take information in and store it. All of it. No gaps in his memory. What if he forgets something important?]
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[But he sighs and offers the lure and hook back.]
You might have to ask things a lot of times. We're a little fucked that way.
[He starts prepping his own line to cast again after that.]
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What were those good things you were talking about? I want to do some of those.
[He knows he's a perfectionist, but he was programmed that way. That won't just leave him now that he's human.]
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...Well, I tell you one thing. When we get back to the Inn, sign up for a massage. That'll feel great after the walk we've had.
[He watches the water. It's oddly pristine. Feels kind of fake, but... at least not as fake as those screen murals. The salt smells real. The sand feels real. The warmth by him feels real. So... he guesses he'll take it for what they are.]
I could show you how to dance, too. I remember how to do that.
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[A massage? He's never had one, so he'll try it.]
I've never danced before. Is it difficult to learn?
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As for the stuff about being human... I don't know. I guess we still need to do the chocolate thing.
Look, I'm offering to buy you chocolates and take you dancing. You're practically going on a date. There, you managed to do one difficult human thing without mortifying incident.
[He reels in his line again and warns.] Gonna cast. [Just to make sure Connor doesn't at the same time and get them tangled.]
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I suppose I'd rather it was with you than anyone else.
[He leans away so that Hank can cast his line again.]
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[Except he does actually turn a little red and he feels his face heat up and he hates that it did that.]
There's a lot better people out there to go on a date with than me. You're new but you're A plus material. Good looking, talented, determined, low on baggage. I'll make sure you get the rest right.
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[He's not sure what Hank's end goal is, here.]
I'm not really sure I want to do that.
[Not yet, anyway. He doesn't know anyone.]
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[Does he not want Connor to go on a date with someone else sometime? But that wouldn't make sense. He can't lock him away like that. But there's the smallest pang of almost jealousy he can't quite work out.]
You weren't joking, were you?
[Of course he wasn't. Connor's not the best at humor. But he'd assumed he was taking the piss.] I um...
[Clumsy. Clumsy words happening.] ...I mean. I just thought I'd be... practice... Fucking shit. I'm ass at this, aren't I?
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I wasn't joking.
[He says it mildly enough, but his expression is still one of confusion as he looks back out at the water. He's not sure what Hank's problem is. He was the one who suggested it, so why wouldn't it be appropriate?]
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[Hank guesses that low baggage thing is a joy.]
I guess I'll actually have to dress up.
[He's in Pokemon land talking about taking his now human partner on a date. He's dead. He's gotta be dead. He finally 'won' at Russian Roulette.]
I'll pick something out when I'm asking around about temp work.
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We don't have to do it. There are other things we can do. But I'd like to.
[Hank makes chocolates and dancing sound nice.]
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I'd really like to show you.
[That he says genuinely, without doubt.] It just surprised me a little that you'd say that, that's all.
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[And he gives Hank a coy sort of smile.]
You've really given me something to look forward to, I'd like it to live up to its reputation.