Connor missed his preconstruction software. He had anticipated Hank being saddened by his appearance, or at the very least unsettled. Instead, he seemed to be borderline excited that he was now a six-year-old. He was making jokes, laughing… It was nowhere close to the scenarios he had predicted. Connor didn't know what to make of it.
Hank had suggested his appearance differed from Cole enough not to bother him, even if he hadn't outright said it. He had even implied that he saw Connor as a son in his own right. Connor had felt a familial attachment to Hank for some time, saw him as a father figure, but knowing it was reciprocated surprised him. Perhaps things would be ok after all.
Connor sincerely hoped so.
Maybe he was reading too much into things. Simon had warned him while he was going through his functionality tests that his emotions might be a bit volatile. He'd told him he would likely be prone to mood swings and irrational thoughts. That his emotions would fluctuate unpredictably. Maybe this was part of it.
After all, it had not been a concern before.
He actively shoved down the plethora of worries that continued spiraling through his mind, telling himself they were unfounded. Hank may not have been the most open with his feelings, but he had never lied to Connor. He would tell him if there was a problem.
For now, he would trust that Hank was sincere in his assurances. That he was happy he was home, and not getting lost in dark memories of his late son.
Connor buried himself into Sumo's fur and felt his worries melt away. Maybe it was his imagination, but the dog felt so much softer now. Either way, it was hard to be sad with a face full of warm St. Bernard. He only looked up when Hank came back to the living room.
"Told ya he missed you." He chuckled seeing the two of them on the floor.
Connor smiled up at him. "Do you think he recognizes me like this?"
Hank shrugged. "Probably. You're the only one who spoils him that much." he said, sitting himself down on the couch and setting his plate on the coffee table. Connor observed that he had made himself hot pockets for lunch. While he couldn't scan the exact nutritional content, he was certain it wasn't the healthiest option.
Connor stood up, making his way from the sleeping dog to join Hank on the couch. "I don't spoil him, Hank. I give him the love and attention he deserves."
"Yeah, sure," he responded with a chuckle. He took a bite of his meal, pulling a face as it burned his tongue. "Fuck," he cursed. "How the hell are these things always both too hot and too cold at the same damn time."
Connor opened his mouth to launch into an explanation of thermodynamics, when he tripped over one of Sumo's toys. He pitched forward without warning, elbow coming into contact with the coffee table on his way down.
"Shit!" he swore, cradling his arm to his chest. Throbbing pain radiated from the point of impact and stretched all the way down to his fingertips.
Hank was at his side almost instantly. "Fuck, you ok? Let me see," he demanded.
Connor allowed Hank to pull his arm away, inspecting it for damage. He pushed up his sleeve and inspected the limb for obvious signs of damage. "Well, you aren't bleeding, and I don't see a break," he observed.
Connor nodded in agreement, taking his arm back. The pain was already receding, but the intensity of it left an odd aftershock that he hadn't been prepared for. "I don't believe there is lasting damage. It just… hurt."
"Sounds like you hit your funny bone," Hank told him, helping him up.
"I don't have bones, and it's not funny," Connor countered, sounding a bit petulant even to himself.
Hank chuckled a bit at that. "You know what I mean, kid." He helped him climb up onto the couch before sitting back down himself. "Gotta be more careful there. I doubt Simon wants to be patching you up so soon."
Connor nodded his agreement. "I don't think I'm quite used to this body yet,' he admitted. "There are a lot of changes to get used to."
"You'll figure it out," he encouraged.
"Thanks." Connor rubbed at his elbow a couple more times. "I know I will adjust in time. It just keeps surprising me. A fall like that should not have produced that level of pain."
"No?" Hank asked, curious. "What's that mean? You more sensitive or something?"
"I'm not really sure, but I think so?" he admitted. "Either this body has more sensitive receptors, or they feel heightened due to my lack of other sensors. I don't know which."
"Uh huh," Hank was getting an idea, one that he wouldn't have dreamed of trying with adult Connor. "But your sense of touch is heightened?"
Connor nodded. "It would appear so."
"Right. In that case, I wanna try something." He reached over, taking Connor's small ankle in his hand.
The android turned, responding to the somewhat awkward angle his leg was being lifted into. "What are you doing?" He asked, clearly confused.
Hank couldn't hide his mischievous smirk, amused that Connor hadn't caught on. "Just trying something," he reiterated. He turned the leg gently so the bottom of his foot was facing him.
Connor's expression shifted to one of suspicion as he deduced Hank had something planned. "With my foot? What are you-"
He cut himself off with an undignified shriek as Hank ran a finger across the arch of his foot. His toes curled sharply in response to the sensation. Instinctively, he tried pulling his leg away, but the man's gentle grip was too steady.
"So you are ticklish now," Hank laughed.
He let go, allowing Connor to tuck his feet under him, well away from where his hands could reach them. "That was uncalled for, Hank," he pouted.
"Nah, that was science," Hank countered, still chuckling. "This is uncalled for." Connor's eyes went wide in horror. He attempted to scramble away, but Hank was faster.
For the next few moments, the house was filled with the sound of Connor's uncontrollable laughter as Hank searched for every ticklish spot on the kid he could find. He didn't let up until Connor began to plead with him. "S-stop! Stop! Daaad!
He relented, not wanting to push. It was only fun if Connor didn't actually mind after all. He sat back, smiling, wondering how long it would take for the kid to register what he had just said.
He could tell the exact moment. Connor was in the process of sitting up and righting his disheveled hair when his entire frame went rigid. His eyes shot to Hank, and he could see panic there. "Hank, I mean… I didn't mean…"
He gave him a warm smile. "It's ok, kid."
Connor bit his lip, still troubled despite the assurance. "I'm sorry," he said, eyes downcast. "I know I'm not… I know you're not…"
Hank frowned at the uncertainty in the small android's voice. Did the kid still not get it? He still didn't understand his place in Hank's life? "Like hell I'm not," he interrupted. He leaned forward, looking Connor in the eye so he would know he was serious. "Connor, you're family. Don't you know that by now?"
Connor looked away. "I know, in the broadest sense. But I'm an android, Hank, you know that. I can't have a family. I can't have a…" he glanced at him again, a pained hesitance in his eyes.
"Bullshit." God, this kid was hopeless. "Connor, I don't give a fuck what color your blood is. You're my family. You're my son." He reached over to ruffle the hair that he had only just gotten back into place. "If you want to call me 'dad', well, that's sure as hell ok with me."
"Really?" His voice was so small, so hesitant, as though he expected Hank to take it back.
Hank pulled him close, wrapping him tight in his arms as though that alone could tell him how much he was wanted. "Really," he assured him. "You're my kid. No matter what, alright?"
"Alright," he agreed. The smile on Connor's face warmed his heart.
Hank leaned back, but Connor stayed pressed to his side. He patted his head affectionately. "How about we watch some tv, huh?" He asked, ready to be done with the sappy emotional shit.
Connor nodded happily in agreement. They settled into the afternoon, contently keeping each others company while the tv kept enough of their attention to fill the time. Hank finished off his hot pockets now that they had cooled to a reasonable temperature. The middle was still cold, but he didn't care.
They were only two episodes into the show when Hank looked over to see that Connor had dozed off. Damn he looked cute. The kid was still leaning against him, eyes closed and mouth open slightly. He was slumped, practically cuddled to his side. Hank smiled down at the sight. He looked so peaceful.
But that didn't change the fact that it was odd for him to have fallen asleep.
Connor only slept to recharge his battery, as far as Hank was aware. For him to be out now, suggested his battery had run down. It was only just into the afternoon, way too early for that to be the case. He couldn't help but worry that something was wrong.
Hank shook him gently, rousing him from his rest mode. "Hey' kid, you ok?"
Connor blinked up at him sleepily, as though it took a moment for him to register the question. "Yes, I'm fine," he responded, rubbing at his eyes.
"You kinda fell asleep there, your battery ok?" Hank pressed.
He nodded, taking stock of himself before answering verbally. "My battery is running low," he said. "I would guess that transferring my consciousness was taxing on it. If I conserve energy, I should be able to make it to tonight for my normal rest cycle."
"Nah, why don't you take a nap," Hank suggested. "A little rest won't hurt. No sense pushing yourself when you don't need to."
"I suppose that makes sense," he agreed. He pulled away from Hank and slid off the couch. "I'll rest for a bit in my room."
"Want me to keep it paused for ya?" Hank asked, gesturing to the tv.
Connor glanced at the screen. "That's alright," he said. "I have already seen this season."
"Alright," Hank couldn't resist ruffling the kid's hair again before he went. "You get some sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."
Connor nodded, eyes already beginning to droop again, before making his way down the hall to his bedroom. He stumbled once over the oversized pants, but thankfully didn't fall again.
Hank watched him go, then turned back to the tv, ready to unpause but didn't. Those clothes New Jericho had given Connor didn't even pretend to fit him. It wasn't right for the kid to be stumbling around in them. He stood up, stretching his back until it popped before heading towards the garage. It looked like sometimes it was a good thing he held onto things.
