[He pats Connor's butt to get him to move a little.] I'll go clean it up. It's the least I can do.
[But there's still some warmth in him, happy to have a reassurance like the one Connor gave him. Even if one or the other of them were to disappear, it's nice to have that moment between them. That added little bit of security.]
[He does stop though, like he wants to add something to it. He raises his finger. He considers...]
The timing doesn't feel right. I'll get back to you later on it.
[When he's not grabbing a broom to swipe at the ceiling. It's not a huge mess, fortunately. They caught it early.]
God... Cole would have loved you being around. He could have gotten away with everything.
[That part he says out loud as he sweeps. Chased by the thought that, if things had been just a little different, Connor would have been good parent to help raise him. A sentiment that isn't voiced but might be carried in his previous words.] I can imagine the designated chalk and paint wall now... [He chuckles a little. He needs to move on, he knows it. But he doesn't think it's so bad to consider those nice things.]
Yeah. He'd get it all over his hands. He had slowed down to drawing with pencils but he'd still do sidewalk chalk. Sometimes he'd give me a hug and leave two rainbow handprints on my coat and no one would tell me, and he damn well knew he did in on purpose.
[Hank still sounds very fond, and once he's done he realizes he didn't cover the broom like he should have so he has to clean that, too. Oops.]
He would have liked your coin trick, too.
[And then he just sighs, again remembering those are things that couldn't happen, but it's nice to think about.] The egg salad sandwich in the bag is mine, by the way, if you could get it out for me.
[He picks out the sandwich and takes the tiniest bite from the edge before handing it over, making a sound of approval. He’s still tasting different food, seeing what he does and doesn’t like.]
I’m sorry that I couldn’t show him my coin trick. I bet he would have been proud of you for learning it too, though.
[He gives Hank a kiss to the cheek, looking at him fondly.]
He would have bugged me to death to show him how to do it. [Hank says quietly, but still warmly, thinking of how hard he'd been trying to learn baseball. The sort of kid that gets a skinned knee and doesn't notice until his leg is coated and looks way worse than it is.]
[But finally he drops it and takes his sandwich.]
I'm glad to be able to do something with you that you enjoy. [Which had been the point of learning it (despite it being a neat trick), and he goes in for one more kiss before he descends into the hell that is egg breath.]
[The rest of the bag's contents are things that he thinks Connor might like. Not all of it sugar, luckily, just some generally nice plain things for him to try as he shoves his sandwich in his mouth.]
[Tubbs and Hunter get the crust because they work those puppy eyes, and he is a weak man.]
[And he sees Connor offering little bits of his donut to the Pichu. Still damn weird, watching the tuning fork thing being affectionate. But it's even stranger that he's starting to get used to it.]
[He finishes up with the spider-related chores before sitting down by Connor, patting the Magnamite as he goes. He actually keeps his hands on it, holding it like a basketball.] I could always take you on a real date. Not just a practice one.
[Though Connor's probably figured out why Hank started acting awkwardly on that fake one.]
I bet you'll do it perfectly too. Glad you're the type of person that only really has to try once or twice.
[He holds up Crockett, turning his attention from a lopsided grin at Connor to the Pokemon.]
Alright, buddy. Just relax and I'm gonna try to spin you. Hold on.
[He rolls up the Magnamite and does a short little spin on his finger. Of course, he has nowhere near Connor's dexterity, so it's only a little bit of a trick if anything, but he does manage it and to grab him in his hands again.]
I'll even one up it by taking you to dinner. Somewhere where you can try a lot.
[He watches as Hank spins the Magnemite, who lets out a confused beep and floats in place, before spinning itself in the air as if mimicking what just happened. Apparently it found it fun. Connor reaches out to take it.]
Let me try...
[He spins Crockett on his finger too, and as predicted he manages to spin it a little more than Hank.]
Something with a buffet. Or a conveyor. Or somewhere with samples. [He reaches out and taps one of the tuning forks, actually finding the excited beeping pretty cute. Funny how that kind of thing can grow on you. It's easy to anthropomorphize stuff.]
It won't be classy but it'll be somewhere where you can decide things you like.
People usually got to those places to stuff their face when they can't decide what they want. [He wrinkles his nose with a bit of a smile.]
[Because if Hank decides he wants to get some, it'll be less tense. He won't end up blue-balling himself at the sound of Connor's stunned laughter and the feeling of his neck under his mouth.]
Chocolates are a pretty safe bet but I wouldn't say no to a flower I could keep.
We can go to somewhere that serves it. Just try not to mix too many types. [He'll keep an eye on him, to be sure. Nothing like having a cauldron in your belly to ruin the experience.]
[He'd be happy with something that he can press, really. He's easily satisfied, despite the request seeming like a tall order.]
You'll probably like something better. I just picked the one that'd take the bite off the bitterness.
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Charlotte... we’re going to have to pay extra again.
[He rummages for her pokeball and brings her back, clipping the ball to his belt.]
I really wish she’d stop doing that.
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[But there's still some warmth in him, happy to have a reassurance like the one Connor gave him. Even if one or the other of them were to disappear, it's nice to have that moment between them. That added little bit of security.]
[He does stop though, like he wants to add something to it. He raises his finger. He considers...]
[Hm.]
Nevermind.
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[He moves when he’s patted, but stops when Hank seems like he wants to say something else.]
What is it?
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[When he's not grabbing a broom to swipe at the ceiling. It's not a huge mess, fortunately. They caught it early.]
God... Cole would have loved you being around. He could have gotten away with everything.
[That part he says out loud as he sweeps. Chased by the thought that, if things had been just a little different, Connor would have been good parent to help raise him. A sentiment that isn't voiced but might be carried in his previous words.] I can imagine the designated chalk and paint wall now... [He chuckles a little. He needs to move on, he knows it. But he doesn't think it's so bad to consider those nice things.]
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I would have loved to meet him. Did he like drawing?
[Kids like drawing and stuff, right? And toys. And... he’s not sure what else.]
We could have made the whole house colourful.
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[Hank still sounds very fond, and once he's done he realizes he didn't cover the broom like he should have so he has to clean that, too. Oops.]
He would have liked your coin trick, too.
[And then he just sighs, again remembering those are things that couldn't happen, but it's nice to think about.] The egg salad sandwich in the bag is mine, by the way, if you could get it out for me.
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[He picks out the sandwich and takes the tiniest bite from the edge before handing it over, making a sound of approval. He’s still tasting different food, seeing what he does and doesn’t like.]
I’m sorry that I couldn’t show him my coin trick. I bet he would have been proud of you for learning it too, though.
[He gives Hank a kiss to the cheek, looking at him fondly.]
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[But finally he drops it and takes his sandwich.]
I'm glad to be able to do something with you that you enjoy. [Which had been the point of learning it (despite it being a neat trick), and he goes in for one more kiss before he descends into the hell that is egg breath.]
[The rest of the bag's contents are things that he thinks Connor might like. Not all of it sugar, luckily, just some generally nice plain things for him to try as he shoves his sandwich in his mouth.]
[Tubbs and Hunter get the crust because they work those puppy eyes, and he is a weak man.]
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[Flipping a coin is more something he does idly whilst thinking. It's not really intended to be something he can do with someone else.
He picks out a donut from the bag and sits on the bed, offering a little bit of it to his Pichu. Crockett floats overhead, and Connor pats it.]
You can't eat this, Crockett.
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[And he sees Connor offering little bits of his donut to the Pichu. Still damn weird, watching the tuning fork thing being affectionate. But it's even stranger that he's starting to get used to it.]
[He finishes up with the spider-related chores before sitting down by Connor, patting the Magnamite as he goes. He actually keeps his hands on it, holding it like a basketball.] I could always take you on a real date. Not just a practice one.
[Though Connor's probably figured out why Hank started acting awkwardly on that fake one.]
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[He smiles up at Hank holding Crockett, who beeps contentedly.]
We can dance again. I know how to do it now.
[Connor has figured it out, but he doesn't say anything. He doesn't want to make Hank feel awkward.]
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[He holds up Crockett, turning his attention from a lopsided grin at Connor to the Pokemon.]
Alright, buddy. Just relax and I'm gonna try to spin you. Hold on.
[He rolls up the Magnamite and does a short little spin on his finger. Of course, he has nowhere near Connor's dexterity, so it's only a little bit of a trick if anything, but he does manage it and to grab him in his hands again.]
I'll even one up it by taking you to dinner. Somewhere where you can try a lot.
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[He watches as Hank spins the Magnemite, who lets out a confused beep and floats in place, before spinning itself in the air as if mimicking what just happened. Apparently it found it fun. Connor reaches out to take it.]
Let me try...
[He spins Crockett on his finger too, and as predicted he manages to spin it a little more than Hank.]
What kind of place will we go to?
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It won't be classy but it'll be somewhere where you can decide things you like.
People usually got to those places to stuff their face when they can't decide what they want. [He wrinkles his nose with a bit of a smile.]
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[Especially one with Hank. The prospect is exciting. He seems excited too, spinning Crockett again.]
Do you like flowers? Or should I get chocolates instead?
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[Because if Hank decides he wants to get some, it'll be less tense. He won't end up blue-balling himself at the sound of Connor's stunned laughter and the feeling of his neck under his mouth.]
Chocolates are a pretty safe bet but I wouldn't say no to a flower I could keep.
[Hank's sentimental as hell. Sue him.]
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[He seems thoughtful at that, though. A flower he can keep? He’ll have to figure something out.]
I’d like to try another drink. To see if I like it better than the lemonade.
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[He'd be happy with something that he can press, really. He's easily satisfied, despite the request seeming like a tall order.]
You'll probably like something better. I just picked the one that'd take the bite off the bitterness.
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[But he makes no promises. He might get a little carried away trying new things.]
I’ll have to find some nice clothes. I want to look nice.
[He likes to look smart, but he also wants Hank to like what he wears, too.]