the twink in black tights - hank x connor

Run

SUMMARY: Connor runs to save Hank. With little words, a lot is said.

Connor had been home for quite a while now, getting some last-minute wrapping done for Christmas, putting Hank's gift in a light blue gift bag that matched the gruff man's eyes. When his phone had gone off, his phone rang with a special tone. Some soft love song that was overplayed in 2016... 'But I- Can't- Help- Falling in loooveee, wiitthhhhh yooouuu...' ringing out. Connor practically hopped over his desk chair, almost tripped onto his carpet, and scrambled onto his bed. He looked down at his phone screen and frantically pressed the accept call button.

"..Hank? Is everything alright?" Connor asked.

"Eeeey, Connor! I'm soo glad you picked up...!" Hank slurred, a tone that Connor had never heard before. He sounded, sad, like his voice was broken yet he sounded intoxicated, slurred. In the background Connor could hear a quiet click, he also could hear something else, a child and a woman's voice, ..but he could also hear Hank's voice. Among all of the noise, he could hear a whirring sound.

"Hank? What are you watching?" Connor spoke into the phone, now sitting on the edge of his bed.

"Cole and Mary..." Hank mumbled, a click and a whirl could be heard again.

"Who are they?" Connor asked, after a small moment of silence between the click and whirl.

"My son, and ex-wife... " He mumbled again. Click, a small curse that wasn't audible but sounded like a fuck, and Connor was stunned.

"You have a son?" Connor asked. He was fine with it, he never had a problem with kids. Whiirrrrr.

"I did," Hank croaked. Click.

Oh. So that was the baggage Hank was talking about. Whirring, clicking. Wait. Don't tell me...

"Hank, what are you doing?" Connor strained, feeling a pit in his stomach.

"Russian roulette."

Connor kept Hank talking. He threw on a jacket and scrambled for his car keys, only to look outside of his apartment and remember with a sinking feeling that his car was still in the shop. He threw on socks that didn't fit him quite right and began to run.

It was a two-mile stretch. He knew the way from putting Hank's address into Maps so many times on so many lonely nights where he seriously considered going to Hank at two in the morning. He could hear the sound of his own clothed feet hitting the cement, ignoring the bitter chill of Detroit winter. He recalled Hank remarking that he was probably a fast runner. It was actually true. Connor was almost tripping over his own feet.

"Where is Sumo?" Connor asked, trying to distract Hank. Connor turned a corner, though was still about one and a half miles away.

"Urr... I dunno... Lemme look," Hank said. Connor was so relieved that Hank was actually getting away from the gun that he almost stopped moving. Then, he heard a thud and a gunshot, and he let out a choked cry as he ran the fastest he had ever, almost tripping several times.

"Hank?!" He managed to get out of him, not stopping. Almost there. He was breathing hard, listening to nothing but the slap of his own footfalls against the cold sidewalk. His chest felt like it was getting tighter and his knees threatened to give out, but he kept running. 1,2, 1,2 1,2. One in front of the other. He was almost there, one more turn-

"The fuckin' gun fired. Scared the shit outta me." Hank grumbled. Connor stopped dead in his tracks for a moment but soon kept running seconds later.

"Con?" Hank almost sounded sober. Connor turned, practically wheezing for breath. His throat felt like it was on fire. He knew he couldn't respond if he tried. He ignored one of Hank's neighbors sitting on their porch eyeing him strangely and got to Hank's door. He tried the knob. Locked. No time. He looked to his right and saw a window. He did what any irrational person would do and hurtled himself right through it, wincing but recovering fast.

"The fuck?!" Connor could hear Hank, probably from the kitchen. He couldn't even force his legs up anymore. He looked down at his phone to find that the call had ended.

"Hank..." He choked out, his voice a lot quieter than he wanted it to be.

"What window even..." He heard Hank ask himself. Connor took all the energy and willpower he had left, shivering on the floor as the adrenaline wore off and the cold overcame him.

"HANK!" He yelled, hearing his own voice echo through the home. He tried to get up, but his knees buckled beneath him and he fell down again.

"Jesus fuck! Connor!" Hank called and hurried over to Connor, hardly wavering as he leant over the brunette who shuddered on the floor. Connor was trying to pry himself up with trembling arms. Hank helped Connor up, not seeming that stable himself.

"You... ran?" Hank asked, looking at the mess of a man in front of him right now. Connor's trembling body was practically limp in his arms. Hank embraced the weak brunette, who used what little strength he did have to hug Hank back.

"I... yes..." He managed to get out, his voice quiet. "Sorry... about... window..." He said through sharp breaths.

"Connor, I don't fuckin' care about the window!" Hank blurted out. Connor buried his face in Hank's shoulder and tried to hold him closer. "You fuckin ran here..." He mumbled, a lot quieter. He still seemed disbelieving. Connor lifted his head.

"I... had to..." Connor said, his voice catching in his throat as he slowed his breathing. "I needed to make sure... that you were alive... No matter what..."

Hank just held him tighter. "Connor..." He said gently, and he didn't think he could say more even if he wanted to.

Their embrace lasted for what felt like hours, Connor felt tears prick his eyes as he softly sobbed into Hank's shoulder. Hank rubbed his back up and down.

"It's okay, Connor, I'm okay," Hank mumbled soothingly. Connor let out a shuddering breath. He didn't know what he would do without Hank, and even as he held Hank this close, the thought was terrifying. He tightened his grip.

"I'm not going anywhere, Connor," Hank comforted him. Their heads rested on each other's shoulders. Connor's hands gripped Hank's torso, squeezing with every harsh breath that could be heard through Connor's sobs. He tried to apologize but Hank only shushed him, telling him to be quiet as they shared the moment.

After a while, Connor lifted his head off Hank's shoulder, and Hank pulled back slightly as well. They caught each others' gaze, and Connor found himself leaning in just for a second. And maybe he was crazy, but he could swear that Hank looked like he was going to kiss him for a moment. He felt his heart pound in his chest and Hank was leaning closer, but instead of kissing his lips, Hank's lips met Connor's forehead. Connor exhaled quietly, and neither of them could pretend that was an accident. Neither of them wanted to.

Connor was unsure of what to do, and his gaze fell to the floor. In Detroit, the cold weather got down to the negatives, and Connor didn't know if his weary limbs could handle the two-mile stretch. Sure he could do it, but it was freezing outside. Though he was warmed by Hank's embrace, he shivered just remembering the unrelenting cold outside. He looked up at Hank before speaking.

"I should walk home... it wouldn't be that bad." Connor didn't want to intrude or force himself into Hank's home, whether he wanted to stay or not.

"You can take the couch if you'd like, I-I know it's fucking freezing out..." Hank's speech was still a little slurred and stiff, but his tone was considerate and caring. "And I'm not exactly in the best st-state to drive." Connor nodded with a small smile on his lips despite the situation.

"It.. isn't very comfortable-" Hank continued, "But unless you'd want to be smashed between Sumo and me in my bed..." Hank teased, still in his drunken state. Connor wouldn't of minded being wrapped up in blankets, with strong arms wrapped around him, and with his head resting on Hank's chest. It sounded all too good to be true, but Connor knew better than to let himself get the chance to mess anything up.

"It-it's fine, Hank," Connor said, stuttering on his words. The thoughts of being pressed up against Hank, a warm embrace throughout the entire night, made Connor's head spin.

"I'll get you some pillows, then," Hank said, wanting to get Connor comfortable for the night.