[He can and he will, thank you very much. His whole life.]
[But that said, Hank is willing to accept apologies, even at his most irritable.] You gotta come up with better ways to wake people up.
[He's got his hair combed back for the moment. Shock of shocks, Connor, Hank actually has ears. No one's seen them in years.] I'm gonna start tallying up this shit so one day when I throw you in a cold shower you won't be able to complain.
[He takes a cue from Connor and has changed back into his normal cop clothes, the ones he wore on his last day in Detroit.] There is a tablet that came with my stuff. Can you hand it to me? We need to make a checklist.
Apparently. I figured it might help you to have some references. [Even if some of them ended up more along the lines of teenager self-help books, Connor would at least have something to go by.]
[Hank doesn't know whether it's a good or bad thing, so after a few self-conscious moments he jostles it so that it lays more like usual (just wetly so).]
So. Laundry. Groceries. Books. Figure out how we'll get more money. What else?
Right. Good one. [Hank writes that one down. Then really takes note that Connor's back in his outfit.] And some general pain relievers and a medkit.
...I have a question for you, Connor. We made it this far but... [He eyes that suit and thinks about it. That spiteful triangle, that labeling of a number that seems cruel now.] Would you want a fresh start without me holding you back? I mean, after this... We don't have to be together. I don't want to be a reminder of your bad experiences.
[He's gotten so he actually likes the prick. He wants to spend time with him. And if they'd stayed at home, he had every intention of making up for his previous behavior towards him. But here, Connor has a chance to be appreciated and loved from square one. Without being shoved into walls or having guns aimed at him.] It's your choice.
[He pauses, just standing there, holding his notebook awkwardly.]
No. I don't want to leave you. I just wanted to make sure you knew you were free to do what you wanted. Figured after all you and your people had been through, human or not, you deserved to have that.
Not that you ever listened to me anyway. [He clears his throat, tries to laugh it off, but it's just a strange noise.] And I'm a huge fuckin' mess. [An anchor, heavy and dragging the floor, for someone like Connor. He looks back to his tablet but it's obvious its an idle gesture. He's no longer actually writing. His note now has a doodle of Crockett in sunglasses.]
Well, I suppose I could figure out being a human on my own eventually, but I'd rather do it with you.
[He gives Hank what he hopes is a reassuring smile.]
But I understand. You're trying to give me my independence. You may be a mess, Lieutenant, but I'm fond of you. It wouldn't feel quite right, doing this alone.
This might be me over-thinking things, but I think your smiles are a little easier.
[His chest warms a little over it, too. One damn person in the world would miss him if he was gone. Which is more than he had a month ago. Finally, he pockets the notebook.]
Do you wanna rock-paper-scissors over who does the laundry?
[He grabs his pack, the clothes out of it, the apron out of the floor (don't ask, he doesn't know either) and piles them where Connor can take them.]
[He then pulls out his pokeball, and looks at it with all the confusion of that coin he'd stolen from Connor and tried to do a trick with. A moment later, he's brought Tubbs back into existence, and he seems happy as ever to have seen them.]
[He ruffles the dog's fuzzy cheeks, happy to see that he wasn't gone forever, and Tubbs dances from foot to foot in excitement over having been brought out.] I guess we can have breakfast after that gets started.
[He gathers all the clothes up and gets started, and when he comes back he greets Tubbs with as much enthusiasm as the dog. He loves dogs. It also reminds him he hasn't let Charlotte out since he caught her, so he opens her ball and watches as she starts to skitter up the wall and promptly begins making a web in the corner.]
We should extend our stay here. I can't imagine we'll be leaving the town for a few days.
Alright... well, we should see about getting more money, too. I don't think what we got will carry us very long.
I was out of the fuckin' job, anyway. Might as well pick something up. [He shrugs, giving in to the very real fact that, had there not been an android revolution, it's very likely Hank would have been given his suspension immediately. Honestly, it's a surprise that he didn't even with that going on.]
[He's never been anything but a cop before, though. His entire career has been based around it. As has Connor's whole existance.]
I'm glad you did what you needed to do. [If only he could have seen Connor put the beat down on Reed, his day would have been considerably better.]
You know, that other you came into my house, acting all distressed like he needed me again. Got me to drive him all the way to the Cyberlife building. Didn't hold a gun to my head until we got in there. I fell for it hook, line, and goddamn sinker.
[Because his protectiveness bit him on the ass.]
[Then a sudden realization.] Holy shit. I can go fishing.
[He sees that darkening expression, and while he thinks the other RK800 deserves that look, he also knows it comes with a little bit of self-hatred.]
Yeah, it was shitty of them to do that to you. [And to him. He had thought some of their interactions were private moments. Realizing they weren't was difficult.]
Anyway, yeah, I haven't been for years. [Except he hasn't been fishing where there are pokemon. He writes out 'Go Fishing' on his notepad. Then makes a copy of the list to hand over to Connor.] There. We got a plan.
Good. I'll handle the cooler and the fishing rods while I'm out. [A cooler is important. Though he'll be nice to Connor and just get soda. Though god, he really thinks he could use some beer.]
You handle laundry. I'll meet you for breakfast after I take care of getting us some supplies.
[Good, they have a plan. Magnemite seems happy about it, too. Connor gets on with what he has to do, and meets Hank for breakfast with Crockett floating by him, as usual.]
Yep. [Hank approaches, with a bag of non-perishable style groceries for them to share. And the cooler. Which is full of pokemon brand soda. It was even weirder seeing the beer.]
I need to get some fucking coffee. Pits of hell black death coffee. [No withdrawal, same as with the alcohol, but that doesn't mean he doesn't miss it.]
[While he goes to make his order, leaving the bag for Connor to pilfer through, he also buys himself an extra biscotti. Why? Sumo related habit. A coffee for him. A treat for his good dog. Only now he has an eager looking Growlithe sitting by the table, realizing it might get something, so now it's drooling and wagging its impressively fluffy tail. The longer it's taking, the worse that drool is getting, but Hank also needs his egg biscuit thanks.]
[Connor looks through the groceries and the cooler, then notices the drool coming from Growlithe's mouth. He looks over to Hank, back to the dog, back to the groceries. He's bought dog treats, and so while Hank isn't looking Connor silently opens them and feeds one to Tubbs. The drool intensifies.
Connor looks up at Crockett, puts a finger to his lips in a "shh" motion, and feeds Tubbs another biscuit before sitting back and looking innocent.]
[Hank returns to find Tubbs looking like he just ate a shoe, and he snorts and offers him the biscotti.] You look hungry. [He is unaware that Tubbs has been spoiled in his absence, just that the dog looks very pleased with himself.]
[With all the skill of a cop used to being on the job and needing to rush, he plows through that biscuit and starts drinking too hot coffee as if his mouth is made of asbestos.] We'll worry about the clothes later tonight. Figured we could grab the fishing rods at the same time. You come with that knowledge already in there or do you know how to do it?
no subject
[But that said, Hank is willing to accept apologies, even at his most irritable.] You gotta come up with better ways to wake people up.
[He's got his hair combed back for the moment. Shock of shocks, Connor, Hank actually has ears. No one's seen them in years.] I'm gonna start tallying up this shit so one day when I throw you in a cold shower you won't be able to complain.
[He takes a cue from Connor and has changed back into his normal cop clothes, the ones he wore on his last day in Detroit.] There is a tablet that came with my stuff. Can you hand it to me? We need to make a checklist.
no subject
What kind of checklist?
[He sits back on the bed, with Magnemite floating closer now that the two don't seem to be fighting anymore.]
no subject
[He's sort of writing as he says it.]
Groceries... I can't even make a list. I don't know what the fuck they have. Protein. Vegetables. Carbs. And then a desert a piece.
Do we gotta feed you guys? [He asks Crockett. Because if so, that needs to be on the list.] What? [He notes Connor's staring finally.]
no subject
[He blinks at Hank's question, then tilts his head a little.]
Nothing. I'm just not used to seeing your hair pulled back, that's all.
no subject
[Hank doesn't know whether it's a good or bad thing, so after a few self-conscious moments he jostles it so that it lays more like usual (just wetly so).]
So. Laundry. Groceries. Books. Figure out how we'll get more money. What else?
no subject
I'm not sure. More clothes?
[They only have the two outfits right now, and having two outfits for what could be several days travelling feels like it's not enough.]
no subject
...I have a question for you, Connor. We made it this far but... [He eyes that suit and thinks about it. That spiteful triangle, that labeling of a number that seems cruel now.] Would you want a fresh start without me holding you back? I mean, after this... We don't have to be together. I don't want to be a reminder of your bad experiences.
[He's gotten so he actually likes the prick. He wants to spend time with him. And if they'd stayed at home, he had every intention of making up for his previous behavior towards him. But here, Connor has a chance to be appreciated and loved from square one. Without being shoved into walls or having guns aimed at him.] It's your choice.
no subject
You don't want to travel with me?
[Or did Connor make it seem like he didn't want to travel with Hank? He frowns.]
Is this because I tipped water on you? I told you I was sorry.
no subject
[He pauses, just standing there, holding his notebook awkwardly.]
No. I don't want to leave you. I just wanted to make sure you knew you were free to do what you wanted. Figured after all you and your people had been through, human or not, you deserved to have that.
Not that you ever listened to me anyway. [He clears his throat, tries to laugh it off, but it's just a strange noise.] And I'm a huge fuckin' mess. [An anchor, heavy and dragging the floor, for someone like Connor. He looks back to his tablet but it's obvious its an idle gesture. He's no longer actually writing. His note now has a doodle of Crockett in sunglasses.]
no subject
[He gives Hank what he hopes is a reassuring smile.]
But I understand. You're trying to give me my independence. You may be a mess, Lieutenant, but I'm fond of you. It wouldn't feel quite right, doing this alone.
no subject
This might be me over-thinking things, but I think your smiles are a little easier.
[His chest warms a little over it, too. One damn person in the world would miss him if he was gone. Which is more than he had a month ago. Finally, he pockets the notebook.]
Do you wanna rock-paper-scissors over who does the laundry?
no subject
[Even though Hank already seems to have forgiven him for tipping water on his face.]
no subject
[He grabs his pack, the clothes out of it, the apron out of the floor (don't ask, he doesn't know either) and piles them where Connor can take them.]
[He then pulls out his pokeball, and looks at it with all the confusion of that coin he'd stolen from Connor and tried to do a trick with. A moment later, he's brought Tubbs back into existence, and he seems happy as ever to have seen them.]
[He ruffles the dog's fuzzy cheeks, happy to see that he wasn't gone forever, and Tubbs dances from foot to foot in excitement over having been brought out.] I guess we can have breakfast after that gets started.
no subject
We should extend our stay here. I can't imagine we'll be leaving the town for a few days.
no subject
I was out of the fuckin' job, anyway. Might as well pick something up. [He shrugs, giving in to the very real fact that, had there not been an android revolution, it's very likely Hank would have been given his suspension immediately. Honestly, it's a surprise that he didn't even with that going on.]
[He's never been anything but a cop before, though. His entire career has been based around it. As has Connor's whole existance.]
no subject
I never thanked you for distracting Perkins for me. I’d imagine getting to punch him was its own reward, but still. Thank you.
no subject
I'm glad you did what you needed to do. [If only he could have seen Connor put the beat down on Reed, his day would have been considerably better.]
You know, that other you came into my house, acting all distressed like he needed me again. Got me to drive him all the way to the Cyberlife building. Didn't hold a gun to my head until we got in there. I fell for it hook, line, and goddamn sinker.
[Because his protectiveness bit him on the ass.]
[Then a sudden realization.] Holy shit. I can go fishing.
no subject
He had my memories. He knew that you’d help me.
[The dark look on his face clears a little at the change of subject, though.]
I’ve never been fishing, but I hear it’s relaxing.
no subject
Yeah, it was shitty of them to do that to you. [And to him. He had thought some of their interactions were private moments. Realizing they weren't was difficult.]
Anyway, yeah, I haven't been for years. [Except he hasn't been fishing where there are pokemon. He writes out 'Go Fishing' on his notepad. Then makes a copy of the list to hand over to Connor.] There. We got a plan.
no subject
[They can spend time at the beach. The idea is appealing.]
no subject
You handle laundry. I'll meet you for breakfast after I take care of getting us some supplies.
no subject
[Good, they have a plan. Magnemite seems happy about it, too. Connor gets on with what he has to do, and meets Hank for breakfast with Crockett floating by him, as usual.]
Did you find everything?
no subject
I need to get some fucking coffee. Pits of hell black death coffee. [No withdrawal, same as with the alcohol, but that doesn't mean he doesn't miss it.]
[While he goes to make his order, leaving the bag for Connor to pilfer through, he also buys himself an extra biscotti. Why? Sumo related habit. A coffee for him. A treat for his good dog. Only now he has an eager looking Growlithe sitting by the table, realizing it might get something, so now it's drooling and wagging its impressively fluffy tail. The longer it's taking, the worse that drool is getting, but Hank also needs his egg biscuit thanks.]
no subject
Connor looks up at Crockett, puts a finger to his lips in a "shh" motion, and feeds Tubbs another biscuit before sitting back and looking innocent.]
no subject
[With all the skill of a cop used to being on the job and needing to rush, he plows through that biscuit and starts drinking too hot coffee as if his mouth is made of asbestos.] We'll worry about the clothes later tonight. Figured we could grab the fishing rods at the same time. You come with that knowledge already in there or do you know how to do it?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)