[meanwhile, Han is packing some stuff. He's getting ready to do some camping out on the lawn, honestly. He doesn't want to be near where Grantaire's head was, gross???]
[oh-- and I must note his new glasses. But those are off right now, perched on his desk. But he puts them back on, now that his back is packed and he's ready to leave.]
Nah, I don't wanna give Connor any reason to be upset.
[ But know that it's 100% thanks to Connor that you aren't sporting another black eye, buddy. ]
I'm just here to make sure you get your shit together. If you pull any more bullshit like this with him—I won't be so nice as to give you a warning next time.
[ He smiles. One final warning, buddy. Hank ain't afraid to break the rules. ]
Connor's literally never had feelings before. You better fucking understand that when you talk to him, or you're gonna keep hurting him and I'm gonna have to hurt you.
[he frowns a little bit at the threat, weighing exactly how he wants to respond. After a moment, he exhales, whatever thought he had passing. he glances down.]
[He just sighs, and nods, like he wants to get off of the touchiness of that subject. He can't help but notice the phrasing that Hank uses, and there's a part of him that is worried he's just... interfered in something. He can't quite place it though, and he doesn't want to overthink it. Not when there's so much else going on]
Of course, I'm sorry.
[he hefts his bag over his shoulder.]
How are you doing, after last week? I didn't ask earlier and I should've.
[ It's called being partner-zoned, it's that thing where you finally admit you have a crush on your android and he says "I'm sorry I can't return those feelings but I still want to be partners."
Hank laughs bitterly. ]
Well, I'm still here, let's leave it at that. I don't wanna have a fucking breakdown in your office, but you got the highlights during the trial.
[well there is a reason he asked-- and why he also wanted to get off the relationship question as quickly as possible. He frowns just a bit at the answer he's given, his eyebrows knitting together in worry.]
Well, yes. I did, but... If you wanted to talk, I'd listen.
I talked about it with Connor. Had a nice long conversation about it... Look, I appreciate it, but honestly, every time I think about my son for too long, I start fucking falling to pieces. That was true even before I got kidnapped into this freaky school.
So... I'm pretty much as good as it's gonna get in terms of what last week was for me. I saw my son—I saw... what could have been, if things had gone differently. And it tore my fucking heart out.
[ He sucks in another deep breath, clearly trying to keep his voice level. ]
But I'd rather really not get into it again. That's one wound that's never gonna heal. I just have to live with it till it bleeds me dry.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Sunday morning
Hey. You talked with Connor yet?
no subject
I did-- also, you're up early, eh?
[he looks a little surprised]
no subject
Yep. Went to bed pretty early and didn't feel like total shit so I actually wanted to get out of bed for once.
How'd your talk go?
no subject
[oh-- and I must note his new glasses. But those are off right now, perched on his desk. But he puts them back on, now that his back is packed and he's ready to leave.]
Are you worried...?
no subject
Well, I found him crying the other day, so yeah, I'd say I was worried.
[ Hank crosses his arms. Don't worry, you're not totally in trouble, Han. ]
But he really likes you. Like really likes you. He flat out rejected me—that's how much he likes you.
[ Mmmm that hurts to admit, but Hank wants to be clear here. ]
So, y'know. That threat I gave you the other day still applies.
no subject
Hank...
[at least they're open about everything now-- with the exception of like. kissing and telling?!]
Are you here to punch me again?
no subject
[ But know that it's 100% thanks to Connor that you aren't sporting another black eye, buddy. ]
I'm just here to make sure you get your shit together. If you pull any more bullshit like this with him—I won't be so nice as to give you a warning next time.
[ He smiles. One final warning, buddy. Hank ain't afraid to break the rules. ]
Connor's literally never had feelings before. You better fucking understand that when you talk to him, or you're gonna keep hurting him and I'm gonna have to hurt you.
no subject
[he frowns a little bit at the threat, weighing exactly how he wants to respond. After a moment, he exhales, whatever thought he had passing. he glances down.]
Sorry, I'll remember next time.
no subject
[ He stares him down. ]
What were you actually gonna say?
no subject
[he offers firmly.]
I think that's all that matters.
no subject
I wanna believe you're a nice guy. I like you—you've given me no reason to think you're an asshole.
But Connor is my partner. To me, he's all that matters. And I wanna believe you're good for him. Don't prove me wrong.
no subject
Of course, I'm sorry.
[he hefts his bag over his shoulder.]
How are you doing, after last week? I didn't ask earlier and I should've.
no subject
Hank laughs bitterly. ]
Well, I'm still here, let's leave it at that. I don't wanna have a fucking breakdown in your office, but you got the highlights during the trial.
[ About his son and... yeah. ]
no subject
Well, yes. I did, but... If you wanted to talk, I'd listen.
no subject
I talked about it with Connor. Had a nice long conversation about it... Look, I appreciate it, but honestly, every time I think about my son for too long, I start fucking falling to pieces. That was true even before I got kidnapped into this freaky school.
So... I'm pretty much as good as it's gonna get in terms of what last week was for me. I saw my son—I saw... what could have been, if things had gone differently. And it tore my fucking heart out.
[ He sucks in another deep breath, clearly trying to keep his voice level. ]
But I'd rather really not get into it again. That's one wound that's never gonna heal. I just have to live with it till it bleeds me dry.