Dear Hanna
Steamcraft
[Hanna is Not a Boy's Name]


Detective Jayne Hart sets down his Thermos and leans back in his chair with a distant look. He stays like this for a few minutes before coming back to reality and turning to his partner with a perplexed and determined expression. Ples Tibenoch isn't even looking at him, and is actually shuffling through their recent case files, when he shakes his head firmly. "I told you before Jayne, I will not go to the bar with you again after work."

Jayne deadpans. "That was once, and I said sorry, and that's not even what I wanted to ask."

"The answer will still be 'no', then," Ples says and he finally glances to his partner with a teasing half-smirk.

"This isn't a yes or no question," Jayne replies, all serious. He looks around the office to make sure its empty. It is silent except for the two clockworks ticking. Noticing this, the graying man sets down the folder and wheels his chair back to the desk beside his partner's, giving his full attention. "Ples," he asks, and he hesitates for a moment, looking to be at a loss for words. "Um, guys. What was- made- how did- ...er, you, uh...liking-"

Ples is more amused with this than he is bewildered by the conversation. "Say it with me: Homosexual." Jayne's face flushes and he hides it and nods in his arms. His partner takes pity and replies, "Women are beautiful. When I see a woman, I think of someone who could have been my mother, or a daughter or sister of mine. I cannot have sexual relations with such a person. One would believe with this outlook on women, I would have the same opinions for men; that is not the case."

Jayne peeks out from his arms with curious interest, and his next question is slightly muffled. "When did you know?"

"When I was in my mid-teens, probably," Ples shrugs, "learning about sex and the works. It is very liberal in Europe; what you Americans call vulgar and sinful is only natural and common." He gave his own quizzical look. "What brought this on, may I ask?"

The detective's ears burn and he's suddenly into action around his desk area, straightening and re-organizing. "Oh, no reason, just curious."

"Hmm," comes the skeptical hum. With a lingering stare, Ples shrugs again and rolls back to the filing cabinet. "Whomever the case, Jayne, the first sexual feelings toward the same sex will appear completely unexpected and possibly a bit shocking. But know this," he paused long enough for Jayne to look at him, "liking a certain person or sex does not make you wrong or a demented or any less of a human being."

His partner takes these words of wisdom to heart. He nods. "Okay, thank you."

"Most welcome," Ples replies sincerely. A few quiet moments and he asks {purposely} while Jayne is drinking his coffee: "So, Hanna is it?" Jayne chokes and the other man chuckles, deeply amused.


AN: Inspired by a prompt on the kinkmeme, only I added Punk!AU to it. As for the timeline, Mrs. Hatch has her pelt back, Ples is a regular character, and we're on the look out for Casimiro, Finas, and Abner. But they're all punk.