aefenglom | [Open] Old Man Birthdays (belated)

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[Open] Old Man Birthdays (belated)

Who: Hank, you, and the menagerie that is in his housue
When: September 6th
Where: Hank and Connor's house (and Sumo's)
What: Hank celebrates his 'birthday' by trying to enjoy peace and quiet, does not get peace and quiet
Warnings: Hank is made up of 80% alcohol and 20% swears

Septeril sounded pretty damn close to September, as far as Hank was concerned.

Did it really count as having a proper birthday if he'd skipped out on all the summer months? Maybe it was why he didn't take it too seriously when he ended up being 54 in a brand new world. Honestly, after all that had happened, he could have done so much worse. So what if there was a fire breathing dragonfly that somehow got more along with his dog than himself. As long as it didn't try to burn his hair as he used his skills to carefully make himself a hammock out of cord, he eventually tied it to two trees close to the property.

Grabbed a beer, grabbed a book (more magic lessons), he was going to do fuck all today and enjoy every minute of it.

Which is probably why others would easily find him.

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[Connor has been very preoccupied with his new guests lately- with his two Bonds besides Hank, that is. Justine has been depressed and not taking care of herself, and the SQUIP is suffering from the fact that L isn't taking care of himself, either. It's affecting Connor, who looks oddly tired as he decides to spend some time with Hank. It's his birthday, after all. He wouldn't miss it.

He has a container of cupcakes with him, and while he wouldn't normally condone someone eating them all by themselves he figures it's the guy's birthday, so he'll let it slide. He clears his throat, standing with his cupcakes, giving Hank a small smile.]

Happy birthday. Here.

[He offers up the cupcakes.]

[He looks at Connor, beer still in his hand like the man had offered him some sort of gag gift.]

Uh....these are bad for my health, right?

[He half expects the android to start lecturing about how these were made with some magical shit from this world and were actually good for him.]

Yes... and if you don’t want them I can always give them to someone else.

[He says it with a sly smile, because he knows Hank will want them.]

But birthdays are supposed to be special, and you don’t have a cake.

[So, have a few small cakes instead.]

Well now, see now I fucking know they're fine, if you're willing to give them to someone else.

[Of course he'd want them, you fucking beautiful asshole. He'll prop himself properly so he's no longer laying but at least sitting on the hammock.]

Uh...thanks. Did you make these?

[Not that he doesn't trust you...but you weren't exactly an android that had been built for undercover pastry missions.]

No, I can't bake yet.

[Yet, he says, with all that confidence.]

I bought them from the nearest bakery. Their cakes are supposed to be very good.

[And they do look good.]

Well if you aren't going to force me to do some double running tomorrow then thanks, Connor.

[He will help himself to one. It's overly cute and sweet and he's pretty sure he's gotten at least two cavities from eating it but damn if that isn't satisfying.]

Christ. It's been a while.

I wasn't going to, but that's a good idea.

[It's said flatly, but Hank can probably tell he doesn't mean it.]

I'm glad you like it.

[Connor tilts his head a little, watching.]

I also have a little something for you in the house. It's not much, but I hope you like it.

Edited 2019-09-29 01:18 (UTC)

Me and my big mouth.

[Yeah he might not be a sophisticated android, but Hank is pretty good at telling when Connor's fibbing or not.]

Well how could I not? Humans are addicted to sugar.

[He laughs as he finally lifts himself up from the hammock and begins to follow him.]

It ain't another bug is it?

[Just teasing at this point.]

No, not another bug.

[He leads the way, heading into the house to pick up the package hidden in his room. He hands it to Hank with an earnest smile.]

Happy birthday.

[Inside the neatly wrapped package, Hank will find a new warm winter coat in black and grey, along with a pair of black woolly gloves.]

They’re enchanted to keep the heat in.

[He gestures to the embroidered silver runes on the coat and gloves.]

It’s going to start getting cold soon, after all.

The SQUIP has not spent much time around Hank, all told. In fact, they haven't truly had a conversation yet; it mostly keeps to its room, and glued to Connor's side when he's in the house. It mostly sees Hank in passing, is aware of him through its bond with Connor, and it has a fairly solid opinion of him already formed-- gruff, hard-hearted and troubled. Yet he seems to have a soft spot for Connor.

Well, given Connor's own softness, a nature and physical presentation that most find to be appealing... it makes sense. Connor is a personality type that can either soften those around it who are hardened and cold, or destroy itself trying to reach them; fortunately for everyone, there is a core of strength beneath his kindness that allowed him to withstand it.

It's good to see that Hank got with the programming.

The SQUIP isn't technically supposed to be outside, by Connor's orders, but Connor is out of the house, and sunlight is important to human bodies. It may not have the strength to proper exercise, but it can, at least, go for a short walk, and maybe sunbathe.

It changes out of the loose PJs that Connor has lovingly inflicted on it, into something a bit more well-fitted, its trademark stark white and clean, layered angles, and then steps outside onto the porch. It scans the yard for a good place to get some sun, and its eyes catch on Hank's hammock... before it realizes, abruptly, that Hank is still in it.

Hm. Should it form a relationship with Hank's third Bond? He's definitely already aware of its existence, its presence in the house, not to mention its activities with Connor... perhaps it's time they properly meet. But how to endear itself to Hank?

...

It steps back into the house, fetches a few more bottles of beer and a blanket for it to sit on, and then makes its way across the yard, towards the hammock where Hank is reclined. Hopefully the mere presence of Connor's handsome little new Bond won't be enough to upset him, but... well. It's a likely possibility.

It went two ways as well; Hank knew about SQUIP both from having it around the house and from his shared bond with Connor. Not enough to know much of anything, of course, but Hank was many things, if but a good observer. It had been his job, after all.

Hank didn't bother people if they didn't bother him, however, so as long as he wasn't being addressed, he was going to wait when he was. It wasn't in his nature to push unless it was absolutely necessary.

So needless to say even if Hank was relaxing, he notices the movement, as the figure left and then returns blanket and booze in hands. Yeap, that counted as an encounter as far as he is concerned.

"Shouldn't be thinking about drinkin' so close to the pool, you know."

The SQUIP smiles a bit at that, approaching Hank with drinks and blanket in hand.

"I can handle a little water," it says, and holds a bottle out to Hank, smirking slightly at him. "Connor has seen to that... as I'm sure you're aware."

Connor used his ability to grant others waterbreathing on the SQUIP fairly recently, an encounter that had ended somewhat... intimately along the seabed. So it assumes there would be little danger in it engaging in a bit of drinking beside the pool... and, that aside, the beer wasn't truly for it at all. It isn't physically able to drink much at once in the first place.

Rich does find himself wandering by Connor's house more often than not. He'd like to avoid it if possible, but Justine is still there, so stopping by to check on her at least is a regular occurrence.

The SQUIP and those associated closely to it are given an extremely wide berth, but... Rich hasn't seen this guy around. He might have caught a glimpse of him at Connor's birthday, but that's about it. That might mean he's not to be avoided, per say... though he does look pretty engrossed in his book.

Rich takes a moment to weigh his options... and then heads over towards Hank's seat, holding out the little bundle he's carrying.

"Hey... sorry to bug you. I was bringing some cookies over though, and I thought they might go good with your book."

Also, giving them to Hank to hold onto is a better option than knocking on the door and having to possibly face the SQUIP or Connor.

Oh it's...that kid? Hank's pretty sure he's seen him once or twice. Can't pin a name down on him yet, so it's a bit of a surprise when he walks closer and holds out a bundle of sugar delights over him.

"Uhhh...not sure if I should take these, kid. Feel like Connor's going to jump out of the water and just grab them for my own safety."

It's not that he's paranoid but...yeah he's pretty sure he's paranoid.

"Beer and cookies don't mix well." But Hank isn't a complete asshole either. He closes the book with a swift motion of his hand and positions himself so he's at least in a sitting position before taking them.

"Who they for, exactly?"

Rich offers a snort at the joke, feeling momentarily assured that he's made the correct choice. "Hey, don't worry. Tell him it's your cheat day. Even the most hardass meal planners give you a cheat day."

He'd comment that he's stretched out his cheat day ever since he started his last year at high school, but he's left feeling extra uncomfortable with the mention of the alcohol. He's not sure why he's so... twitchy about it. His friends drink all the time, after all. This stranger can do whatever he wants. It's fine. For sure. Rich swallows hard and looks down at the cookies while he attempts to puzzle out where his composure has gone.

"Uh, for Justine. I heard she was staying around here recently. But I don't mind if she shares." With everyone except a certain asshole tic tac.

Justine hadn't handled the loss of her housemate and friend very well. It had been Connor who had offered her comfort and a place to stay until she had adjusted. She hadn't approached Hank since then, keeping to Connor's room and hiding from everything, but she wanted too. This was Hank's home too and he'd been kind enough to let her stay without complain. She hadn't thought she deserved that kindness.

Hank was someone she'd met on a handful of occasions. He was an older man and gruff but Justine could sense that there was more to him to that. Connor spoke very well of him and those stories had endeared Hank to her in a way that Justine didn't really understand. Or perhaps it was the Bond. Either way, she felt comfortable approaching him, taking a seat near one of the trees used to support his hammock.

"I hope I am not interrupting. I had hoped that we could talk." Her voice was a little weak and she looked paler than he'd last spoken to her. "It's a lovely day out."

Hank half-wondered how Connor kept a menagerie of people and creatures around him, even if he knew the answer was "not a gruff old man that possibly scares away children".

He did appreciate the company, even if he didn't always show it (or sort of did, by not complaining). He closed the book sharply as he turned his head towards her.

"Nah it's not like I've got a job to go back too right now." He could even call it early retirement if he wanted. Early retirement where his partner turned into a mercreature. "You been taking care of yourself?"

Says the hypocrite, who had spent the last three years, not taking care of himself.

Justine didn't know how Connor kept so many people close to him but she imagined it had something to do with his openness to accept and protect anyone he came across. He was too trusting and it was very dangerous but she hoped that it went well for him, as it didn't for most.

"As much as I can. Connor is determined to make me." She smiled just a little. "I should thank you for letting me stay here. I know that you and Connor are close but you didn't have to let me. I-" She paused and her lips tilted into a frown. "My home is very empty without my friend. I hope, we are friends too?"

If not unorthodox ones.

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[Open] Old Man Birthdays (belated)

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