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Hank's breath reaches up into the sky, slowly travelling through the night in tiny, scattered clouds.
It‘s still snowing. The frosty air is filled everywhere with fluffy flakes of pure white dancing in the breeze, covering everything and everyone with a bright, shiny layer of sparkling snow crystals.
God, it's been a long time, Hank thinks, and for another tense breath there's an echo of a wide variety of feelings ringing inside him. Sorrow, a world of pain, but also so much love and happiness. So many lovely, warm memories.
Seeing other parents with their children is still hard, especially around the holidays. But it doesn't wreck him anymore. Hank knows this kind of pain will be with him for the rest of his life. And that's alright, he can deal with it. He's stronger now, he's no longer the same person.
He's not alone anymore.
And that's exactly why he's here now. Because he's head over heels in love and instead of spending a cosy evening together at home in the warmth, a pair of brown puppy eyes convinced him with frightening ease to freeze his ass off out here in the fucking cold.
Feeling a mix of emotions and with a healthy dose of scepticism, Hank Anderson's eyes sweep over the huge ice skating rink right in front of them. The place itself actually looks pretty nice. Cheesy holiday decorations, lots of fairy lights all over, colourful special lighting effects on the ice. And of course, the sound of trashy Xmas music blaring from every corner is an absolute must.
Exactly at this moment, the first characteristic notes of Last Christmas burst into the air.
𝘈𝘩, 𝘢𝘩-𝘢𝘩!
𝘖𝘰𝘩-𝘸𝘰𝘢𝘩!
𝘖𝘩-𝘰𝘩!
Jesus fucking Christ. He's fucked.
As soon as Connor turned his big, begging eyes on him, Hank already knew there was no way in hell he was going to win this fight. As always, he was utterly powerless against the overwhelming force of these sad puppy dog eyes. His fate was sealed.
Crap. This is a shitty idea. He hasn't thought about something like this for ages! He's far too old for that, isn't he? And to be honest, in recent years, since his little boy died, he managed to avoid such activities quite successfully.
𝘓𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴, 𝘐 𝘨𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵
𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘺, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴
𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭
Watching a blue spinning LED out of the corner of his eye, Hank's face softens.
Someone special, mhm?
Under a low hum, he slides his right hand deeper into the snug pockets of his coat. The fingers of his left hand, in turn, continue to wrap themselves gently around Connor's, squeezing him tenderly. They are still standing shoulder to shoulder, so tight in their physical closeness that Hank is able to feel the other's eagerness almost inside his own dusty bones.
Connor is simply addicted to life. He is hungry and so eager for everything his new existence is offering him on his journey in this world. Hank loves seeing him like this. Just watching him and being a part of it sends that tender, fuzzy feeling bubbling around his chest into overdrive every single time. And it's hard to believe that even an old fart like him can find a new way to open his eyes to new things. Things he never noticed before, things he was blind and deaf to. Thanks to him, thanks to Connor, that goofy android sent by CyberLife.
𝘖𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘺
𝘐 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘦𝘺𝘦
𝘛𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦, 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘺, 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘦?
𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘪𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘦
"So, what do ya thin'." Humming softly, he gives Connor a small, teasing nudge. "Wanna give it a try?"
Jesus, why is he even asking? Spotting a cute little touch of a smile rising from the corner of the android's mouth in no time, well, he already has a pretty good idea about Connor's choice of answer. When his boyfriend finally turns to face him, there's a bright shine of happiness in his warm hazel eyes. Those eyes, full of vitality and hunger. Full of tenderness.
Once again Hank's fucking knees become as soft as fucking pudding.
In a rush of emotion, the LED on Connor's temple spins in a light blue shade. His answer is, as expected, an euphoric nod.
"Yes, please, I'd love to!"
Blushing softly, he tucks himself closer to his partner's side, allowing Hank to feel the intimate weight of his body against his own. And then he gives him the sweetest smile Hank has ever seen in his goddamn life, and out of nowhere he's back to drowning in his beloved's absolutely breathtaking and heart-stopping beauty.
𝘓𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴, 𝘐 𝘨𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵
𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘺, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴
𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭
As usual, the older one is out of his mind, unable to find his voice and words. Tiny snowflakes flutter down onto Connor's heated cheeks. In the blink of an eye they are gone, melting out of sight. Standing here, holding his hand and staring at him like a lovesick idiot, the same thing is happening to Hank right now.
Jesus fucking Christ. He‘s so in love with this guy. Just a little smile is enough to trigger a freaking meltdown of his heart in a matter of seconds. In a good way, of course, he even feels a little dizzy. Holy shit. To be in love again is a truly wonderful thing.
With a warm, cosy buzz inside, he smacks a kiss on Connor's glowing LED.
"So, what are you waiting for," he chuckles against smooth skin.
A breath later, Hank Anderson's romantic cloud nine trip slips a tad out of balance. Blue switches to yellow over a split second, and an almost shy expression rushes across Connor's face.
"Mhm." Biting his lower lip, he intertwines his fingers a bit more tightly with Hank's. "You're coming with me, right?"
And before Hank knows it, a pair of adoring puppy eyes are blinking up at him. Caught off guard, he barely flinches, warmth rising up his neck. Crap. A flood of white clouds fills the space between them as Hank takes a long, deep breath.
"About that, Con. I dunno… maybe… uhm…"
In a desperate act to buy some time, he quickly clears his throat. Loudly and with great care.
"Hank?" Connor frowns sharply. "I'm not going without you, if that's what you're trying to tell me."
That little wrinkle between his eyebrows. Hank wants to kiss it away, right now. The way Connor keeps looking at him, his head to one side, his soulful eyes focused exclusively on him - like he's the only person who really matters - sets Hank's heart on edge, leaving a smooth, buttery flutter behind.
"Shit," he mutters under his breath. He carefully pulls his hand out of his pocket. "Look, it's not that I… don't want to," he sighs, cupping Connor's cheek delicately. Even through the material of his glove, he can feel his softness. "It's just… It's been years, okay? And since Cole… I mean, your first time is supposed to be something special. And I'm just some old fucker who'll probably kill the mood with his fat ass."
Still frowning, Connor shakes his head slightly. "You're not fat," he insists bluntly, his voice laden with a serious level of indignation. "You're in great shape and I love your ass just the way it is."
Hank's lips curl into a toothy grin. "Yeah? Is that so?"
"Oh, absolutely. You're extremely attractive. But beyond that…" Light as a feather, Connor leans into his lover's touch. "Beyond that, being with you is exactly what makes it so special for me in the first place. You're the reason why."
Along with his LED switching back to blue, that little wrinkle on Connor's forehead finally melts away, changing instead into something mellow and caring. Hank, for his part, is holding his breath without really noticing. Actually, his lousy old brain needs a long, shaky heartbeat to get the message right.
Hank swallows hard. His chest is far too tight all of a sudden.
"For God's sake, Con," he ends up saying in a rough, emotional mumble. Lightly, he wipes a snowflake from the corner of the other's mouth with his thumb. "Are you sure about this? I'm not exactly ice prince material."
It's his first holiday season. He deserves so many wonderful first times. Hank doesn't want to disappoint him no matter what.
A gentle hand comes to rest on Hank's chest, just above his heart.
"I am, one hundred per cent," he hears Connor's soothing voice. "I would really love to share this kind of experience with you. So, please, stop thinking you're not good enough. Don't do that. Because... Because you…"
Hank smothers his words under a tight embrace. Surprised, Connor produces a small squeak before he happily collapses into his mates waiting arms. In a sigh of relief, he sinks into this strong, bear-like embrace, burying his face greedily in the plush fabric of Hank's coat.
Taking a deep breath, the older man fills his nostrils with the android's scent. His heart pounding, he holds Connor tight.
Softly Hank nudges his nose into brown hair, brushes his lips across a small shiny spot.
"Shit, what on earth have I done to deserve someone like you, eh?," he huffs a soft whisper into Connor's ear.
Hank doesn't expect an answer. But the moment their eyes meet again, mellow brown and vivid blue, he knows everything he needs to know.
I'll show you, is what Connor's lips say without a sound, but with a smile that brightens the space between them. And then just a delicate dip of their heads is enough for them to find each other in a tender, loving kiss.
Some kind of kiss that definitely says more than a thousand words. A kiss Hank can never get enough of. Humming blissfully, Hank soon feels the light flutter of Connor's hands on his neck, his shoulders, ruffling his hair. When they are forced to take a break, Hank is out of breath, literally. Comfortable warmth drips down his spine. He is definitely warmer now.
"Fuckin‘ hell, Con," he bursts out laughing, he can't help himself. "You're gonna be the death of me, you know that?"
Connor chuckels softly. In an intimate gesture, the tips of his fingers trace the shape of Hank‘s beard.
Teasingly, he winks at him. "I think it's a risk I'm up for."
Amused, Hank purses his lips. Another toothy grin plays across his mouth. "You little shit. C'mere!"
Feeling so much lighter, he gently cups the android's blushing face. Willingly and with the same hunger, Connor meets him halfway to…
"Heya! C'mon, you two! Get a fuckin‘ room, for fuck's sake. Kids are round here!"
... to kiss him. But before he gets the chance, a well-known, rowdy voice abruptly cuts them off, throwing a bucket of cold water over their romantic intentions. Both Hank and Connor freeze in their tracks.
"We can ignore him, right?" Connor whispers against his lover's mouth.
"Yeah." Hank grits his teeth. "Sounds pretty damn good…"
"Hey! I'm talking to you guys!"
Unfortunately, that voice is hard to miss, much too loud, and within milliseconds of hearing it again, it gives Hank the creeps.
He grimaces. "Are you freaking kidding me…" he mumbles, not even trying to hide his annoyance. Sure, of all the nerve-racking idiots in this shitty town, it has to be him who's stepping on their toes in a place like this.
Connor pats his arm to calm him. Naturally, he reaches for Hank's hand, then focuses his attention on the owner of the voice.
"Hello, Detective Reed," he says. Unlike Hank, he's calm, level-headed and polite.
With a groan, Anderson also turns to look at his colleague. Standing behind the barrier of the ice rink, his arms crossed and grinning broadly, it's obviously Gavin fucking Reed who's shooting them a look that speaks volumes. As always, he‘s wearing only his ragged leather jacket, even in these temperatures. The only accessory he allows himself, and the cold season, is a navy blue scarf.
"Well, well, well. Lieutenant Anderson and his robot sidekick." Cheek and nose rosy from the cold, he immediately cracks one of his shitty signature jokes. "Having a good time, ain't ya?"
Wiggling his brows, he shoots a sleazy wink from Connor to Hank. Anderson rolls his eyes.
"Before you showed up, we definitely had that."
Gavin clicks his tongue, clearly amused. "What's up, Anderson? Need a drink? To settle your nerves after sucking your little boyfriend's face off?"
Deep down, Hank's fighting the overwhelming urge to strangle Reed with his own damn scarf. Son of a bitch!
"Sure. Whatever you say, assehole."
Swearing, he bites the inside of his cheek.
"Damn!"A provocative whistling sound slips through the other man's lips. "That's fuckin‘ rude, old man."
"Oh, not at all," Hank growls, showing his teeth. "I'm just getting started. Trust me."
"What Hank is about to say is that we're indeed enjoying the evening very much," Connor interjects, trying to break the tense atmosphere. "So, if you don't mind, we would prefer to spend some more time as a couple. Just the two of us."
With that, he squeezes Hank's hand lightly.
"You heard him, Reed." Having Connor's soothing presence at his side allows Hank to take a lungful of air. "Now stop busting my balls and do us all a huge favour and fuck off."
"Wow, relax, Anderson. Didn't mean to screw up your creepy little date. Just wanna make sure you don't do anything stupid." Grinning ear to ear, Reed shrugs his shoulders. "Last thing we need to see here is an old fuck like you crashing the ice with his old dumb ass."
"Really? Is that so? Ya know, last thing I need right now is a walking arsehole sticking his nose in other people's shit. Now fuck off and be a pain in someone else's pants."
Reed is a lucky bastard. The railing of the ice rink is saving this pesky little prick when Hank takes a step at him. Smoothly, Gavin slides backwards across the ice, rushing to create a save distance between himself and the older one.
His sly, sardonic grin grows wider with each passing inch.
"All right, all right! I've got it!" In the end, his words are almost overpowered by the music and the crowd around them. "Hey, Liutanant!", he yells at last. "Maybe you should call it a night, eh? After all that sexy time, you shouldn't push your luck too hard! Catch you la-"
It's a wonder he doesn't collide with other people on the ice. It doesn't last long.
A broad chest stops Reed's shitshow abruptly. A broad chest hidden under a black and white jacket. And on top of this jacket is draped a scarf of the same navy colour. Partner look, obviously. What happens next is out of sight. In a flash, Nines grabs the detective's neck, Gavin's face cracks and then both of them are lost somewhere in the crowd.
Perplexed, Hank stares at the spot where Gavin was standing just a moment ago.
"What the hell was that?"
"Nothing. Just Gavin," Connor comments dryly.
Right, just Gavin shithead Reed. Good thing Hank doesn't give a damn about whatever this idiot is usually bitching about all day. More or less. He really isn't worth it. Right!? Nevertheless… He, Hank Anderson, was already rocking the goddamn ice when Reed was still swimming inside his father's balls as a stinky blob of slime.
Ahhhhhhhhhh, screw it. Determination spreads across the elder's blue eyes. All right, then.
A rough snort clears Hank's throat. "Hey Connor, c'mon. I think it's time to grab us some of those fancy skates."
Blue. Yellow. Blue. Yellow. Blue.
"You're sure? I mean…"
That little crack between Connor's brows is back in business. Leaning against him, Hank can almost read his mind.
Gavin is an idiot. But I'll understand if you prefer to leave now. We don't have to do this.
God. Hank wants to kiss him some more.
"Sure thing. I'm in. And I'm not gonna go without you."
This time, Hank doesn't hesitate. Teasingly, he blows a kiss on that tiny wrinkle. Blue. Blue. Blue. Blue. Conner's LED flutters wildly, but then his face brightens, no, that's not quite right. Connor starts to shine.
Shit, Hank is nervous, excited, and also feels a bit awkward.
Cold air bites Hank's face, But with Connor's hand holding his, even the last of his doubts are flying away, step by step. A few minutes later, to the sound of Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You, he and Connor are finally ready to hit the ice.
𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴
𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥
Much to his relief, Hank's greatest fear that the whole trip could end in a spectacular disaster doesn't come true. After his first tentative steps on the ice, everything falls into place. Even after all these years, his body still seems to remember exactly how it works.
𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦
Gliding lithely over the icy surface, he's instantly drawn into a magical microcosm full of laughter and happiness.
𝘐 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯
𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸
"Holy frickin’ frack! See that, Con!? Not that bad, huh?"
His voice bursting with pride, Hank whirls round to his partner, only to find him still standing on the railing.
Well, actually he clings to it with both hands.
"What's up with you, Darling? Need a little help?"
𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦
"No, I'm fine. I just need another minute." Connor blushes, carefully trying to keep his balance. "It's just different than I thought. Kind of slippery and hard to adjust. Irritating, I guess?"
"We're on a freaking ice rink, Con. That's the way it's got to be." Hank winks flirtatiously. "Ice ice baby."
"I'm well aware of that. Anyway, y-your performance..." Connor's LED spins nervously along with his struggle to find a solid footing. "...is really impressive. Looks pretty cool. And sehe… shit! Um, Hank? Can you come here, please?"
Now his knees are visibly shaking. Using his kicked puppy eyes, Connor manages to free a hand from the railing. Desperately, he gestures for Hank to come to his rescue.
𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶
Hank is with him in an instant. He doesn't even think about it. Following a natural instinct, he grabs Connor's outstretched arm and gives him enough support to stabilise himself. More or less.
"Got you," he mutters softly, Connor huddled against him, but still keeping the saving railing within reach.
The shimmer on the android's nose grows a shade darker.
"Thanks, that's better," Connor sighs sincerely. "Much, much better."
Hank chuckles under his breath. It's fucking adorable.
"Not so easy, is it? Not even for an advanced prototype."
Sometimes it's really hard to believe that Connor, who fights like no one else, who sprints over rooftops and freaking highways, is the same person who's clinging to Hank's arms right now. Innocent, naive and untouched by the world. And kind of goofy, too.
Embarrassed, but relieved at the same time, he offers his human boyfriend a wry smile. "It's definitely a challenge, yes."
Hank smiles back. Then an obvious thought pops up in his mind.
"Wait a minute, couldn't you just download a tutorial, a programme or suchlike?"
"Mhm, I could. But it is my intention to learn it your way. The old-fashioned way? Oldschool! So, can you show me? Please?"
Still awfully shaky on his skates, Connor tugs at the cuffs of Hank's coat, running his palms over his chest, where his heart is beating happily. Shit, for that smile and those soft brown eyes, Connor needs a fire licence.
Hank takes a deep breath, a fluffy feeling tickles his throat.
"All right. Here we go, Darling," he purrs, wrapping his arms around Connor and leading his partner a little further onto the ice.
It feels light, almost weightless. Connor's LED flickers excitedly. He buries his fingers clumsily into Hank's coat, following his motions wide-eyed. Under his touch, the older man feels every inch of the androids body tense.
"Don't worry, I'm with you," Hank whispers tenderly. "Gimme me your hands."
"H-Hank, I…"
"Don't overthink it, Con. Let me hold you, okay? Just like that."
In a gentle and firm embrace, Hank takes Connors delicate hands into his own. Slowly, and with an impressive agility for a man of his size, he glides across the ice, patiently guiding Connor‘s first tentative steps.
"See? No problem. Just look at me. Take your time."
Connor nods eagerly. "Got it. Like this?"
After a last, uncertain peek at the icy surface, the brunet decides to take the risk. He trusts Hank, and that's the most important thing. Concentrating hard, Connor places one foot in front of the other, precisely following the instructions. Little by little, he relaxes and becomes more in control. The tension in his spine and shoulders begins to ease. And as Hank requested, Connors' eyes never leave him.
When their eyes meet, Hank holds his breath. The world around them seems to stand still, and all that matters is the moment that lies between them here and now.
Hank swallows. "That's it, perfect. You're perfect."
A familiar soreness burns inside him. Not much, just a biting ache. Once he taught his little boy to skate. Today it's Connor. Hank is not a religious man. But he believes that from where his son is watching, he can see his old man getting another chance.
To love and be loved again.
"It's working! H-Hank!"
Suddenly, a tiny static glitch rings out in Connor's voice. Their fingertips are now separated by a wafer-thin distance, Connor's eyes wide with wonder, his LED glowing blue. His movements are still clumsy, like a child taking its first baby steps, but it doesn't matter.
"A fuckin' natural! I knew it!"
Hank can't help but laugh out loud. It feels good, the pain fades.
The praise makes Connor blush. A shiver runs down his body, the pump that chases the blue blood through his circulation stutters, causing his heart to skip a beat. Their fingertips drift a little further apart.
Suddenly Connor loses his balance and trips. But Hank is here. He's always there. Connor falls straight into his arms, safe and sound.
"Don't get cocky, kid."
Hank gently pulls him into a warm embrace, holding him tight.
"Just a bit," Connor chuckles. Pleading, he squeezes his boyfriend's arm. "Can we stay a little longer? I don't want it to be over yet. Like this, maybe?"
Taking care not to slip again, Connor hooks himself under Hank's arm. Shoulder to shoulder, hip to hip again, so close that not even a feather could fit between them.
𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴
𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘦
"Course we can stay a while longer," Hank speaks softly, his words a gentle promise. "As long as you want, dear."
They sway to the rhythm of the music. Side by side, without haste. Hank enjoys the intimate closeness to Connor and feels how his warmth replaces the cold of the outside world. Step by step, Connor becomes more secure, but happy to let Hank take the initiative. Hank never leaves his side, his hand tightly around the android's.
𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘰𝘦
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦
𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦
Next to him, Hank hears Connor humming under his breath. Flakes of fresh snow dance in his hair. A small smile plays on his lips. A deep peace settles over Hank's shoulders. It's already getting late. But no one wants to leave this magical place. There are a few familiar faces among them. Hank spots the pretty female android from the DPD's reception together with Tina Chen. Both hopelessly flirting with each other.
He also recognises a few of Markus' friends, some with visible LEDs, some without. Josh, he remembers. And Simon. A moment later, he nods at Chris, carrying his young son on his shoulders. And, of course, Nines. Nines, who is pushing an idiot of a detective against the railing and using his tongue to force him to finally shut his big mouth.
𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴
𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴
𝘐𝘧 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴
He and Connor share a long look before bursting out in childish giggles.
Shit, that feels good, Hank thinks. Then: What would I do without him?
As soon as he is able to catch his breath, he cups Connor's hand and places a kiss on the back of it.
"I'm sorry I'm such an idiot," he murmurs thickly. "I'm fucking glad we're here, together.“
𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴
𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘦
𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘰𝘦
There is a combination of gentleness and determination in Connor's eyes.
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦
𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦
"And you're not an idiot. You're just stubborn as hell." In a small, powerful gesture, he forces them to stop. "I love being here with you, too. Actually, I'm the one who needs to apologise for being so selfish."
Hank clears his throat, swallowing loudly. "You didn't do anything wrong, Con."
"I did. I don't want to, but… sometimes I forget that you already had a life. You lived, loved, were hurt. You still are. Especially now, at this time of the year... Shit. Please forgive a stupid, selfish robot."
In a beg for absolution, he cups his cheek in Hank's shaking hand, squeezing and holding him close.
Fuck. He really doesn't deserve him. A feeling of overwhelming love hits Hank, and for a split second, his heart feels like it's going to explode. Drunk with emotion, he pulls Connor into his arms as hard as he can, right there on the ice.
"There is nothing to forgive. I just… never really thought that something like this could happen to me again," he mutters, barely perceptible. "I just forgot what it feels like... to be like this..."
"… be happy?", he hears Connor whisper.
"Seems so, yeah."
"Are you happy? Are you happy now?"
Hank nods helplessly. His breath is shaky as he fights back the tears that burn behind his eyes.
"More than you can ever imagine. Thanks for… for not giving up on me..."
Now Connor is the one who saves him from falling. In a caring, warm and comforting manner, he runs his fingers through his silver hair, pushing it out of his eyes.
A hint of a smile curves his lips. "I'll never give up on you, Hank. Never." Again, he looks at him as if he were the most important thing in this fucked-up world. "You make me complete."
Hank's throat tightens. Inside and out, he turns to water. Even so, he feels a huge weight lifting from his melting heart. The burden of years, of doubt, of pain – it all seems to fade in this moment. Having Connor in his fucked up life is the greatest thing he could ever wish for.
𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴
𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴
𝘐𝘧 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴
And so, in a simple, sweet act, Connor tips his head lightly onto his mate's shoulder. No need for words. No need for anything. Just the feeling of finally being where they belong.
Hank's breath reaches up into the sky, slowly travelling through the night in tiny, scattered clouds. It is still snowing on this December 12nd.
✯ ✯ Happy Holiday ✯ ✯