Love Like Yours 💙 - A Hankcon Story

Chapter 4: A New Home

The work day was slow; tons of paperwork piled up after the revolution and Hank was already fed up, ready to go home. Feeling a lot more on edge today since it's going on 2 days without drinking, which is too long already.
*Hank's POV*
He throws the stack of papers on his desk sighing loudly, "Hey Con, you ready to head home? I think we've put in a good days work and I'm tired of looking at all these papers."
He watches Connor look up from his intense focus at his terminal, turning his chair to face Hank. "Sure Lieutenant, I'm ready whenever you are." He flashes him a subtle smile, then begins to clean the mess around his and Hank's desks. Walking to the car, the two men spot Gavin and Nines coming back from what assuming was the case file they got earlier. "Oh look if it isn't Anderson and his plastic pet again." Gavin mocks the two causing Connor to back away from Hank realizing he was walking very closely next to him. Hank looks to him reassuringly and then annoyingly at Gavin, "He's not my anything, I don't own him!" He growls. "Besides looks like you have your own friend following you too." Hank motions to Nines who waves at the two guys. "Phcking whatever, he won't last around long with me." Gavin laughs as Connor's led turns yellow, "Is that a threat detective?" Connor begins walking up to Gavin proceeding Hank to lay a hand on his shoulder stopping him. "Maybe it is." Gavin snaps back. Nines looks to Connor who's led is now a deep flashing yellow, "Connor he's just trying to get a reaction from you." I whisper, pulling him back. "Seems to be working too!" Gavin moves forward pushing the side of Connor's face where his led is. He sighs and faces Gavin calming himself before speaking, "I'm sure you're aware the consequences of destroying an android now by law. If you're smart enough you won't but considering you're so obviously not-" "Listen here you lil-" Gavin begins but is quickly interrupted by Connor's calming but stern voice. "I'm sure you're knowledgeable enough to know I'm serious enough that I assure you if you hurt him in any way, the law will be the least of your concern." Nines smiles slightly to Connor before following a pissed off Gavin. "Will he ever not be an asshole?" Connor asks dispirited and irritated. "Come on Con, he's not worth it."
~
The two get in Hank's car and Connor immediately feels embarrassed by his display of emotions. "I'm sorry Lieutenant, for acting out of line with Detective Reed." He watches Hank shakes his head sighing, "You don't gotta apologize to me Connor. You were just standing up for yourself and your friend, nobody can blame you for that." He sounds reassuring but Connor can sense some disappointment in Hank's tone. Before Connor can talk anymore, the music is switched on indicating the conversation was over before it really even started. Connor's led flashes yellow, red and then to a stable yellow again looking away from Hank sadly. Of course this catches his attention, now feeling guilty for stonewalling Connor.
*Hank's POV*
Its not his fault, he can't help who he is but dammit! I'm already tired of seeing him get treated like this and just because he's so obviously an android! Most deviated androids pose more as humans now, not all but a majority so why can't he?! He's very smart, he has to know it'd be easier for him. If it's like this now I don't want to imagine what it'll continue to be like. Change like that doesn't happen overnight and I don't want to see him hurt just cause of.. Hank looks over to Connor's still yellow led, those stupid machine parts he still possess.
~
Connor is tired of the silent treatment and turns off the music, "Lieutenant, if I have done something to disappoint or upset you I would like to know because- so that I- I can do better.." He trails off. Feeling like a disappointment to Hank really doesn't feel good, it hurts. I feel hurt, I've already made a mistake.. maybe I'm just a mistake? Gavin was probably right, Hank is better off without me.. I'm just going to make him more miserable and bring him more problems everywhere we go together. I- I can't.. I don't want to make Hank worse!
Connor is dragged from his thoughts as they drive up to Hank's home. Realizing Hank still hasn't responded to him he exits the car quickly. A blurry vision glazes across his eyes following a wet substance running down his cheeks. He quickly makes his way to the front door. "Connor!" the older gentleman's voice booming through his ears. Connor turns to face him, "I'm- I'm sorry Hank." His voice breaks in his quiet apology. "Why do you do this to yourself Connor?!" He asks worried, unlocking and opening the door. "Don't you care that people will treat you like this still? Don't you want to fit in more and not be a walking target for these people?"
"I'm not doing anything Lieutenant! I'm just existing." Hank's patience now wearing thin, "As a fucking android! You have the choice to get rid of that dumb light on the side of your head!" He motions to Connor's now red led. "You could begin life more human, you can live without danger! Why don't you want that?!" Hank's voice raising more and more with concern and irritation. "I just don't want to live as something I'm not Lieutenant. No matter what happened up to now, I'm still a machine. I thought you might finally be coming around to the idea that machines have just as humanity! I shouldn't- none of us should have to change just to be safe! I shouldn't have to hide for the world to see me as a person, see that I'm alive!" Connor defends, tears streaming down his face more. "Its not that I don't see you as human Connor." Hank now trying to justify his outburst. "I just.." he sighs, going silent.
"You just what Lieutenant?" Still silence. "Actually you know I get it, I do. I could already tell I was going to be a burden on you." "Connor n-" Connor continues, "Its fine Hank. I'm- I'm fine. I didn't expect anything from you to begin with. You did enough for me, really. I'll leave as soon as possible okay. You won't have to deal with me or any of the problems I've brought you." Connor wipes the tears from his cheeks. "I'll.. go ahead and make you dinner." Connor moves past Hank with haste.
Say something, say anything you idiot. HE'S GOING TO LEAVE. YOU KNOW YOU DON'T WANT THAT!
STOP HIM! STOP HIM!
His thoughts berated him but Hank stayed silent, he didn't know what to say. He knew he didn't want Connor to leave but he also didn't want to make him feel forced to stay. He just wanted him safe, why was that so wrong? Hank feeling defeated decides to go take a shower. Maybe things will cool down by then, he thought. He walks to the bathroom but stops at the door and looks at the android just staring at the food cooking, expressionless. He sighs and shuts the bathroom door behind him, prompting Connor to look over his shoulder before tearing up again. I really hoped he would say something.. I wanted him to want me to stay. I thought I mattered to someone.. to him.
Hank looks at himself in the mirror and at his sticky notes before one that he's never seen before catches his eye, it reads "You're doing a great job, I'm proud of you! ♡"
- Your android, Connor
He smiles but quickly frowns. Shit what am I doing? Fuck! Just go say something. Go, go, uGH okay I'm going. He grabs the doorknob, frozen in place. Wait what if I upset him more? But if I don't do something I could lose him forever.. Shit just do it! He stands there for a little while longer before finally turning the knob and going into the kitchen quickly, surprised to see no android in sight. His heart quickly drops as he approaches the kitchen table to see a plate of food and a present with a note on it, "Hank, I hope this little friend makes you happy, and helps you rest. (I heard you making distressing noises during your sleep and read that these can help with that) Thank you again for everything. - Connor
"Connor!"
"Connor!!" Hank yells out, frantically searching the home for the android; not bothering to look at the gift until he finds him. Hank flings opens his front door ready to go out looking for him when he stops. The sight below him makes his heart ache, Connor is just sitting on the porch with his head in his lap obviously crying.
He sighs, sitting down beside Connor trying not to upset him more. "Connor.. I- I'm sorry. Please don't go anywhere." Hank grips Connor's hand in his and looks away. God I hate being this vulnerable! Connor wipes his face, and returns the gesture but suddenly his hand turns white. Subconsciously Hank retracts his hand rapidly obviously acting put off; which Connor can't help but notice. He immediately covers his machine skin with his human looking skin sighing and hiding himself once again. "I didn't mean to.. I guess I'm malfunctioning. I guess I'm just messing up all over the place."
"Connor, stop!" Hank couldn't listen to Connor talk about himself like this anymore. He thought about what Connor said, about hiding himself. If this is how he wants to live I'm in no right to stop him, and he's right. He shouldn't have to conform for us, they should be able to live freely amongst us just the way they are. I shouldn't be treating him like he's the problem and trying to change him, I should be helping stand up with him and being there for him. I can't imagine how I made him feel.. god I feel like shit now.
"You are right Connor. Nobody should be made to feel like they have to change who they are for anybody, and I shouldn't have insinuated for you to do that. It wasn't my intention but I still hurt you with my ignorance. The point is Sumo and I just really want you to stay here Connor. Don't let me chase you off!" Hank pauses before furthering, "If you want to stay that is, you know don't feel forced to stay here either just cause of me. You're free to do whatever, whenever- I just wanted you to know that you are wanted here." He quickly looks at Connor's hands that are now sitting in his lap and grabs the same one again. It forcibly turning white as Connor freaks out internally, led going yellow. "I like everything about you Connor, machine and all and I'm not disappointed in you in any way. I'm sorry I made you feel otherwise. Now please come back inside." Connor's led goes to a soft blue as he nods his head, letting Hank pull him up by the hand he was still holding as they walk back inside.
Both quickly realize they are still holding hands and pull away from one another; a flustered expressions flash on both their faces. To break the silence Hank decides to speak up, "I- I uh haven't opened the gift yet if you um wanted to watch me open it." He mumbles trying to not sound so embarrassed. Connor nods as he heads to the dining room table and they sit. "You didn't have to get me anything, ya know." "I know but I simply wanted to, besides I couldn't help but think of you when I saw it." Connor gives him a soft smile as he watches Hank open his present. "Connor it's adorable, thank you." He smiles pulling out the fluffy plush puppy from the box.