Hello guys! I want to really apologize for a late update. I'm training to become a co-manager of my department and it's getting more and more intense including overnight shifts that kick my ass to no end. Also, I recently bought a new vehicle so that's been a trip and a half! Birthday is also tomorrow ;D I'm an old lady :l
So, anywho, thank you for sticking around and reading. Love you all!
Second Hint: Her album that I adore was released in 2016
Spring 2038, New York
"The bathroom is just across from my room, dear." She noted.
"Of course. Thank you." Hank watched as he walked to his suitcase and keyed in the lock number. Despite their bickering, Hank was tense. There was something that the android wasn't telling him. If he were to leave, he wanted to do so with a clear conscious. He wanted to know he would be alright.
Sophie leaned over the table helping her voice travel after the android. "You can put those in the hamper too, I will do some laundry later on."
Hank continued to watch after the android as he made his way into the bathroom. When the door was closed did Hank's shoulders fall. He placed a hand to his forehead and walked over to the coffee machine. His hand fell.
"Black, Soph?" He murmured.
"Yes." She looked over her shoulder. "What's wrong, Hank?" Her voice was purposely low.
No doubt could the android hear them even when they spoke in hushed tones. "He's acting weird." He didn't explain further, too busy making his own coffee. That, or it was just not wanting to overturn that rock just yet. He took both mugs in hand and placed her coffee down first. He was comfortable standing, leaning against the counter.
He took the first sip and was met with the satisfaction of the taste.
They were quiet for a moment before Hank huffed a short laugh. A topic change would be good. "Cash hasn't changed a bit."
Sophie stared ahead, her gaze faraway and long. "She has. That damn Harvey is the devil on her shoulder. She forgets about the angel every single day." Her eyes flicked up to her brother. "It's like its no longer there..."
Hank shrugged. "You know how the youngin's are these days. She will grow out of it. Once she see's that fucker's intentions, it won't be so easy." Another sip of coffee. "...Maybe I'll stop by Cash's place to smooth things over. She could have stayed a bit. Haven't seen her in years and she punches my fuckin' android."
She considered his words. "You taught Connor well."
He scrunched his face. "Huh?"
"Wasn't he a hunter of sorts? He could have attacked her." The question was a test, Hank knew.
He creased his eyebrows together. "No." He bit. "Fuck no, Connor would never..." He murmured into his mug. He placed the mug down forgetting the sip of coffee for a moment. "That's not me either. Connor isn't the type to attack unless he has to, self preservation protocols and whatnot. Especially now with his deviancy. He's learning to react, rather than choose. It's confusing for the kid. He didn't want to hurt her."
His voice was soft after he took a large drag of coffee. "He wanted to befriend her..." He looked away from his sister.
He moved to set his mug down, though he paused. The sun was beginning to shine through the living room windows casting bright square patches of light onto the floor. His eyes flicked over something shiny just under the couch.
He swallowed his coffee and set his jaw tightly. It was small and familiar looking.
Sophie watched as Hank moved with numbed motions, the floorboards of the living room creaking as he walked. He slowly crouched and took the shiny object between his finger and thumb. Connor's coin.
Sophie's expression was firm when he looked back to her. He swallowed the lump in his throat when he stood flicking the coin over his knuckle. He would never be as good as the android, not in a million years. He was still clumsy with the tricks but Connor assured him he was progressing well.
"His coin." He murmured.
"Is it important to him?"
He didn't answer immediately. He stood slowly. Another flick over his knuckle. This only confirmed his doubts about the android. This coin wasn't just a tick. It wasn't a habit. There was something more to it than that. "...You can say that."
"Why was it on the floor then?" She asked the question knowing all too well of the answer. Hank felt like she knew more than she let on and for that he felt a little relief and nervous. Either reaction fit. Sophie worked in mysterious ways,
Hank placed the coin into his pocket. The cool metal burned through the thin fabric of the pocket. It felt heavy against his thigh. But nothing would weigh more than the concerns and thoughts swirling within his mind. Something was wrong with the android and Connor couldn't figure it out. His only hope was his sister and no doubt would she be able to crack the android's stubborn troubles.
She was sincere and trusting like that. There was something about her gentle storms that set a person straight.
Sophie finally took a sip of her coffee and hummed. "Cash might not be home." She carried on the conversation prior as if the heavy find never happened. Her eyes told all though. This wasn't over with.
He was grateful. "Yeah?"
"Cash leads the choir on Sundays."
He looked up to her with incredulity. "Cash. Fucking Cash? Dirty mouthed cuss-every-other-word, Cash?"
"She was a choir girl growing up, Hank. One thing she will never part ways with. I think it's good for her."
Hank smiled. "Girl still has a set of lungs that's for sure."
The conversation died out. Hank's mind still weighed heavy as he unknowingly fiddled with the coin.
And yet again, the older sibling revived it. "Connor will grow on Cash." It was wishful thinking and her tone was just the same.
Hank barked a laugh. He had no doubts. Honest to god , deep down Cash would fall for the goof in no time. The android was infuriating like that. Everyone hated him on first sight but the moment he opened his stupid mouth and started talking the way he does, people trip up and go head over heals. It had to be those damn freckles and eyes of his. It was infuriating. He was too innocent.
An innocent who knew how to kill a man fifty plus ways.
"Yeah, right. Those two will end up being cat and dog, Soph."
Another moment of silence, and the tired man walked to the kitchen table and finally, finally sat down. His voice was especially lower this time. He leaned in close to her. "Keep an eye on him, sis. Please."
Sophie leveled him with a gentle gaze upon his concerned and soft words.
"He's actin' strange. Stranger than usual, sorry." He corrected with a point nod and glance.
When she didn't reply he continued. "Something's wrong and I think he can't tell me or figure it out."
Sophie moved her hand to Hank's and patted it gently. It was a much needed tangible distraction from the guilt and sadness in his heart. He knew how to be a father. He didn't know how to be a friend.
He left the poor android in the kitchen to his own troubling thoughts like an asshole. He didn't know how to approach feelings like he used to. It was difficult for him. Usually he was the one to squash them down and ignore them.
He hoped to God Connor didn't pick up the same terrible habit.
"He just became deviant. I know." A pause. "Patience. He will eventually find himself in due time."
He just hoped it wasn't too late. He blinked a few times before he scrunched his face. He leaned back in his chair taking his hand out from under his sisters.
"Connor! You alright in there?"
The relief he felt hearing his voice shouldn't have been so great. What would he do in there? Nothing. Nothing. The man assured himself.
When the android stepped out of the bathroom presenting his new wardrobe, Hank's heart was filled with melancholy. He was so proud of the android.
Just a t-shirt and a pair of jeans and Connor looked like any other human. The only dead giveaway was the LED swirling a lazy blue as he leveled Hank with a pleased expression, one that formed creases along the bottom of his eyelids.
Connor moved to stand in between the two, a hand on Hank's chair the other twitching by his hip.
"Well, hello handsome man." Sophie winked up to the android with a cheerful tone. Hank was grateful for the shift in tone. It had to be a mother's skill. To be able to shift from one topic to the next, as if hiding the low murmurs of a surprise birthday party for a child.
Hank couldn't help but chuckle upon the bashfulness of the android. "Cleans up well doesn't he?" He smacked the back of his hand against the android's stomach. The android moved only slightly from the force. Connor was almost preening upon the praise. Especially from him. It made Hank's smile a little too heavy.
"Maybe you should take some notes from him, Hank." Sophie eyed him. "Heaven forbid should you shower everyday."
Connor smiled in humor, those creases under his eyes furthering. Hank grumbled under his breath bitterly.
Sophie reached up to the android and patted his cheek. "Well then. How about we get breakfast going?"
According to Hank it was the best damn breakfast he had had in a long time. Connor only agreed for the simple fact it was better than what he usually ate at Chicken Feed. Hank rather liked the greasy food. It probably had to do something with his hangovers. Humans liked that sort of food to recover from the unpleasant remains of the choices from the night prior.
Connor's troubles were ebbing away as he kept himself distracted. After Sophie taught him to make pancakes, an interesting recipe that included a spot of rum, he offered to clean the pans and the dishes in the sink that had piled up from the past days. She didn't have a dishwasher but a ceramic white sink, dish soap and a sponge that comically rested in a ceramic frogs' mouth.
He turned his head over his shoulder from time to time watching Hank happily eat and chat with his sister. He kept his mind preoccupied. He liked stimulus. He liked staying busy and thinking. He needed his hands to always be busy. Doing the dishes wasn't a chore but a welcomed activity.
They were chatting about how Tommy's son took over the bar and a remodel was in the works. The place was breaking down and the loan to fix it up was something that had the whole town buzzing.
They spoke about how Cash had taken over the cabin that Hank was wondering about that lain near the woods and pond and recently. Sarah had gotten married and was expecting with her second.
A man named Fredrick got out of the small town blues and moved to the city. But just one. One person left their roots.
"Things don't change at all around here." Hank said wistfully. "Nobody wants to get out."
"No, I'm afraid this town will be stuck in it's own little world for a long time." Sophie agreed cutting another small bite of her pancake.
Connor set aside a pan in the strainer and continued to clean. He remained politely quiet. The lieutenant needed this sort of interaction. He was a loner and didn't really talk much to others, even at the precinct. An android and a Saint Bernard seemed to be his only friends.
They chatted for an hour, Connor happily taking their plates and cleaning those as well. Sophie insisted that he didn't have to be a slave while living here. Hank waved her off. Connor agreed as well with a small quirk of his lips. They didn't understand his need to remain busy.
Ever since becoming a deviant his quirks shone even brighter. He liked to help in any way he could. He liked to observe and listen. He liked to take Sumo out for walks and enjoy the morning air while Hank still slept in. He liked to see other happy because of his actions.
...Living was new. And this new chapter to his life was as well.
The hour passed so quickly. Listening to their conversation while adding musings to his memory, he was finishing up cleaning the plates.
Hank stood. Breaking his thoughts. What he said finally registered.
"You're leaving already?" A little shot of panic welled in his chest. He never had to say goodbye to anyone. Goodbyes were strange. He turned, sponge still in hand, soap dripping off the edge.
He met Hank's eyes. Sad and heavy. He looked back to the sink and kept quiet.
His voice was distant. "I can't use much more of my vacation time." He never took his gaze off of him. Connor saw this in the corner of his vision.
The android placed the dish in the sink and dried his hands slowly. He refused to meet his gaze again. If he did he felt like something heavy within would give way. It was uncomfortable. A pressure that felt ready to burst.
Sophie watched the android with careful observation. Hank shifted causing the android to jump into action. This was no time to act like an awkward fool.
"Right," he turned to the lieutenant. "Fowler can't have his finest away for too long." He faked a smile and this time. This time he knew Hank knew it was fake. His eyes didn't crinkle when he faked it.
That slight curve to his lips came to show a displeased expression. It wasn't disappointment but something along the lines of annoyance. But he didn't dwell on it. It was painful for the human as well.
All they had been through and suddenly ripped apart because of the worlds harsh opinions. The need for confrontation. The need for...hate. It confused the android to no end.
"Finest my ass. He knows I can do his dirty work, that's all." He stood from the table. He fixed the collar to his stripy shirt. Connor rather liked the unique shirt he always wore. It made him...him.
Sophie observed as she took a sip of coffee from her mug. Her eyes never left him. She was a silent audience taking in their exchanges. It made Connor ever more aware of his emotions. Those confusing heavy emotions.
"Not without a fight, lieutenant. More so from you."
Hank sighed with a fond nod. "Gotta let 'im know I'm not gonna lay down for nobody."
"Just being difficult." Connor corrected. They were both preventing the inevitable and Sophie knew this. She stood using the table to lift herself on shaky arms. Though the medication had started easing the pain, she sighed upon the aches that crossed her body. Connor was by her side, placing a hand under hers and placing the cane in her other hand.
He backed away slowly when he knew she was sturdy. He only looked up when Hank shifted, he too made a move to help his sister. He was hyper aware of everything the man did now. But now, Hank was looking at him with pride.
"Needs to get back to his home. He has people to bust up and others to protect." She smiled fondly when she stood at full height.
Connor should have been leaving with him. He had suggested that he would join Hank and continue being his partner. Continuing wracking their brains to solve more homicides. Continue bickering and rolling eyes to curses that meant nothing.
But he wouldn't. Not today nor for a long while. Connors shoulders fell as Hank took Sophie's hand to walk towards the front door. The android's steps were slow and heavy. Hank helped her walk being a sturdy rock as she took slow steps.
Connor would never forget this. How soft Hank truly was. How kind and patient he was. Especially with him. And for that, Connor owed the human his life. And perhaps that is what made this goodbye so heavy. He was still protecting him still watching his back.
It wasn't pulling him out of the line of fire, or an unpleasant situation he couldn't compute. It was hiding him away until Hank knew he was able to handle it.
Hank loved him.
The front door opened and Connor walked around the corner to see Sophie stepping forward to wrap gentle arms around her brother. She smiled shrugging her shoulders as she clutched him tighter. He hugged her gentle for s along moment before he stepped back.
"You're always welcome here, Hank. This is our home." She nodded slapping his cheek gently. "Call me once in a while."
He nodded. "A call away." He affirmed. She stood there for a moment before looking up to the android. Her eyes were watery and red, nose already red with the strain and burn of tears to come Connor wouldn't know of.
A nod was given to her by her brother and she nodded back. Although slowly, and without assistance she made it a point to leave the doorway allowing both Connor and Hank privacy.
He stepped forward, fingers rolling by his sides in anxiousness. They stood in the doorway facing one another, though Connor wasn't looking at him. A particular rock had the androids undivided attention. Goodbyes were...sad. He didn't like them.
There was an aggravated sigh. It was slow and deep.
"Connor." A heavy hand fell on his shoulder and forced him to turn towards him. His silver eyes went to his LED as it coughed and sputtered a stressed yellow. Finally, the android looked at him with brown, saddened eyes. His jaw was set, only shifting just so to settle his expression.
The android watched as Hank shoved his hand into his pocket, shuffled for a short second, before taking out what he was searching for within a fist. Hank took his hand in his own and placed something in it. He blinked feeling the object's cool calm surface upon his skin. He looked down opening his hand finger by finger. His coin. Tails staring up at him.
Hank found it? He had forgotten of it as soon as he dropped it this morning. How did he come across it? When he was in the bathroom perhaps? Was that why he was so concerned?
"About this morning..." He craned his head forward attempted to make the android look up to him. "Don't forget who you are and what you were."
"... But what are you really?"
The old man forced his hand to close around the coin, moving to wrap an arm around his shoulders, the hand firmly being placed upon the back of his head. His face was placed into his shoulder and Connor closed his eyes. His fist with the coin was pressed against his chest where he could feel the steady pulse of his heart. He took in Hank's scent. The smell of stale whiskey, distant cologne, and the smell of musty sleep odor.
" Whatever you want me to be..."
It was Hank. He remembered this smell, the touch and sensation. He forced it into his memories.
Hesitantly did Connor lift his other arm to place against his back. Upon this did the android open a new wave of emotions. Connor scrunched his eyebrows and closed his eyes tighter, clutching the back of his jacket with desperate fingers.
A shaky breath left the old man. His voice cracked. Garbled and unsteady. "It made you the android that saved me ."
Upon this the androids throat feel a little too tight, his heart felt a little to large and his pump went a little too fast. Indeed did the man have suicidal tendencies. Indeed his burdens were becoming too heavy to continue on. And no doubt, was he so close to ending it all.
Never would such a state of the art android detective add two plus two like this .
Never did he ever think that he was the reason why this human was still alive. He made him happy. He kept him sane. And Sophie's words came to mind again.
Hank placed his chin atop his head and continued to hold him. "I will be back when everything isn't fucked up." He muttered.
Connor didn't open his eyes. "It's always fucked up, Hank." He murmured.
"Bitch of a world." He agreed.
He pulled away reluctantly, Connor following him in a desperate attempt to just stay like that a while longer. But Hank pulled him away, settling his hands on his shoulders. He was purposely holding him firmly. Steadying him. "I'm a call away, son."
He nodded, eyes blinking more than usual. His eyes felt wet. He had seen androids cry before. But never did Connor think he himself would. No tears fell but did they ever want to.
"Take care of yourself, lieutenant. Make sure Sumo gets his walks still." He reminded.
The hands fell from his shoulders, and with it, the steadying sensations. The man became to backpedal and Connor fought every nerve in his being to follow.
Hank nodded. "Right."
"Don't leave the stove on." He joked halfheartedly.
"No promises." He walked to the driver side of the rental.
"Hank," Connor called stopping the man in his tracks. His words felt heavy in his throat. Congested and strained.
"I'm a call away too...if..." He swallowed that lump that just wouldn't go away. He couldn't bear the thought of losing him permanently. "If..."
And that's when his smile caused creases in his eyes and cheeks to appear. It made everything better. So much better... "Not anymore."
A watery laugh escaped the android lips. "Right."
Something gave way as he watched Hank sit in the driver's seat. It felt out of place that he wasn't getting in with him. It felt out of place that he wasn't already turning the dial on the radio to listen to old classic Jazz or his heavy metal.
It felt weird waving an awkward goodbye as he backed out of the driveway. The crunch of the stone echoed in his ears as he stepped forward. He wanted to run after him but a hand upon his arm stopped him.
He turned back to Sophie looking a him with sympathetic eyes. He looked back at the car that backed onto the dirt road.
For that moment he would have ran after him if Sophie hadn't grounded him. He nodded assuring her he wouldn't follow through with his impulse, though it was more for his own sake.
