Beyond The Sea [Hankcon / Hank x Connor AU]

ūndecim; surfacing

"How... How did this happen?"

Thousands of thoughts, questions, and emotions were running through his mind as he stared up at this man before him; a man he knew he could trust, and a man he... had feelings for, but in that moment, he felt entirely vulnerable, and utterly alone. 

"Some assholes knocked a glass bottle over your head, and uh... You ran in here." Hank started an explanation, but found himself... just stopping in thought. "I half-expected you to be in here passed out, but... I'm gonna go with the latter," He had an almost expressionless look on his face. He looked slightly disappointed... and that hurt Connor.

"---Hank, I'm... I--I don't know what to say to you." He spoke again eventually, but felt like the trust; the connection they had, had just crumbled to the ground around him. "You don't have to say anything." Hank tossed him a dry rag as he responded, which he noted was caught rather graciously.

"Do you hate me for hiding this?"

Hank raised an eyebrow and thought again for moment. Is that what he honestly thought of this situation right now? That after being in such in vulnerable situation, that someone could hate him?

"Of course not, Connor."

He saw the look of relief on his face, and the faintest hint of a smile.

"Thank goodness."

Hank watched him, and in a blink of an eye... The man he knew once before, in his... human form, had returned. "All it takes is a rag, huh?" He asked, managing to get a laugh out of him. "I could have used magical powers but you look wowed enough, Hank." Connor stood himself up carefully, getting used to his feet again.

"Are you flirting with me?" The cop raised an eyebrow, but was just smiled at. "I have to get back to work." He replied, now Hank was the one laughing. "Oh, no. You've probably got a concussion. The place is closed until tomorrow. I informed Sal." He explained, Connor nodding slightly. "Well... Now I don't have any plans," He folded his arms, noting his expression.

"If you're feeling up to it... I think a boat ride would be awesome. Especially to watch the sunset," Hank suggested, Connor tilting his head. "Now who's the one flirting?" He questioned, but was still smiling. "That sounds like a nice idea. But where are you gonna get a boat from?" He asked, Hank replying with a simple chuckle.

Connor followed him out after he'd retrieved his jacket, but couldn't stop the thoughts from the back of his mind reappearing. He trusted him, and he had no reason not to, but there was something about it all that really, really bothered him.

_________________

Being in the police got you all kinds of perks, including your own police boat. He seemed rather up for it, but his expression was less priceless, more... concerning.

"This is your boat?"

Hank glanced over to him. They were stood at the harbour, the sea salt air brushing their skin. "Is that a trick question?" He responded with a question and a laugh, but soon shut himself up. "So, you're the water police as well?" Connor retorted with another, and Hank just nodded. "Sometimes, not really... I've not been out much, but I will be soon, we're following up a case of a missing person, but that's rather confidential." He smirked at him before getting onboard.

"Come aboard, sir," He held his hand out and spoke in a phony British accent, a grin forming on his face when he made him laugh. "Why thank you." His hand was taken and he lead him on carefully. He wasn't gonna fall on his watch.

He'd made sure to turn off any radio communications beforehand, as that exactly wouldn't be romantic. "---You get a real nice view of the beaches and cityscape from out here; one of my favourite things of the job, not that I'm out here often." He pointed over, looking over with a smile. "I can't relate to that one." Connor replied, looking back to him. Hank smiled slightly at him. "Pretty sure that's a given, Connor." He said, laughing with him.

"---Hey, this area's out of bounds, Hank." Connor stopped his laughter, noticing a buoy... which was now behind them. "Relax, I'm the police," Hank had an almost smug expression, but did slow down. "---Those rocks over there, is where we first saw that missing person. He's a surfer, hasn't been seen in weeks." He added, getting his attention over there, and away from the "out of bounds" fact.

Connor looked over, and his eyes widened. He looked at him again, just shaking his head. "It was you!" He said, Hank laughing slightly. "What was me?" He tried to act like he knew what was going on, but in reality...

He had no fucking idea.

"You spotted me! You spotted me when you were out patrolling in this boat at night, outta bounds!" Connor couldn't help but yell at him. He didn't want to, but he didn't want to shy away from his anger. He noticed Hank's facial expression change as he came to realise and remember. "Oh, shit..." He sighed slightly, running a hand through his hair. "Well, there goes our only lead," He said, shaking his head.

"Fuck the lead!"

The snapping tone had taken him aback, and there was an awkward silence lingering. "---I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell... But, why were you patrolling in an area where boats are out of bounds, Hank?" He was speaking quietly now, fiddling with the sleeves of his jacket. "Why were you on a rock in plain sight of... people?" Hank retorted, Connor looking at him, head titled again.

"I think you know the answer to your own question, Hank."

Hank stared at him, his own eyes widening when his "passenger" stood up, practically throwing himself into the water. "Jesus Christ, Connor!" He yelled after him, knowing it was no use. He looked out for him, yet still got startled when he'd surfaced again.

"Is it because you're a mermaid?"

Connor looked up at him, grasping onto the side of the boat for support. "I'm a merman, but... Yes." He replied, laughing with him again. "When were you gonna tell me about this?" Hank asked, genuinely curious. "Eventually. I was going to tell you everything when I knew I could trust you... With the courage you've shown today, after my, quote on quote, "bar fight", I probably would have within the next few weeks. But, I guess you've seen the extent of it now."

Hank listened as he explained, but had his eyes on his tail in the water, watching the fins surfacing occasionally with the waves.

"Your secret is safe with me, Connor. It always will be." He smiled at him, and was smiled back at. "I have a lot to tell you now. But... Tomorrow. Meet me at that harbour place tomorrow." Connor said, Hank laughing a little. "It's just called a harbour, but sure. What time?" He asked, watching him think for a moment. "Just after sunrise. So, 8 o'clock. It's early, but it's important." The merman smiled up at him again before disappearing again.

Hank watched him duck underneath the water again, as elegant as always. He didn't know what to expect, and was still in a little state of shock, but what he did know for definite, was that even in the few weeks that they'd known each other...

He absolutely loved him.