Accident Prone - Becoming Human

Pain in the Back

Working together Connor and Hank had finished applying the third and final coat of the selected cobalt blue paint over the entire body of the previously white Corvette, and were ready to admire the final results of their hard work. The color was a vivid shade that was as pure and brilliant as the deepest ocean itself and was truly attractive to anyone who'd look at it. Putting aside the paint dispenser and stepping out of the garage through the wide opened door. the two detectives removed their protective masks from over their faces and stared at the shining blue color with a righteous sense of pride as they took in fresh breaths to escape the paint fumes.

Sumo was standing up on his hind legs and watching the two detectives through the livingroom's window just begging to get outside. Whimpering sadly as he watched the two detectives outside he impatiently waited for them to return to the house so he could finally go outside and play in the backyard.

"She looks good in blue, huh, Connor?" Hank tossed aside the mask onto the driveway and ran a hand through his messy gray locks of hair. "I like it."

"Yes." Connor mirrored Hank's gesture and removed his mask and deposited on the driveway next to Hank's mask. "I believe that blue was the correct color to choose. May I ask why you were so opposed to the color being green?"

"...It's not important." Dismissing the question Hank replaced it with a question of his own. "So, it's only a few days until your birthday. Are you going to keep your word and celebrate it this year?"

Connor thought back to the promise that he had made Hank so many months prior about trying to celebrate the anniversary of his activation date in the same manner that humans celebrate their own birthdays. While he intended to keep the promise he was unsure of exactly what it meant to celebrate a birthday or how to even behave. "I will celebrate my birthday, but I don't understand the proper etiquette in doing so."

"'Etiquette'? Jeez, don't act so formal about it."

"Sorry?"

"Look, birthdays are celebrated in all kinds of ways." The senior detective tried to explain casually and simplistically. "Some people like to have giant parties, get showered with presents and get as much attention as possible; then there are people, like me, who like to just let the day go by unchecked."

"Why can't I-"

"Because you've never had a birthday before and you should experience at least one in your lifetime."

"Oh. I see."

"Don't worry, kid. I'm not the 'party-type' of person, and you're way too reserved to survive something like that without feeling overwhelmed. I won't throw a surprise party for you."

"Thank you."

"How about you choose something that you want to do or pick something you want as a present, and I'll make it happen."

The offer seemed to be ideal but Connor wasn't sure how to accept it. "...Like what?"

"How the fuck should I know?" Hank playfully slapped Connor in the back of the head just enough to rustle his dark locks of hair. "It's your choice, but no more pets! Your aquarium and Sumo are enough..."

Connor paused for a moment to try to think about what he wanted but nothing came to mind and he was left without any definitive answer. "What would you pick?"

"That doesn't matter, son." Walking around the side of the house toward the back deck Hank rubbed his right hand against the back of his tense neck and tried to stretch out his lower back as he walked slowly. "You need to pick something for yourself. You got a week to decide, so no pressure."