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Hank doesn’t know how to feel about RK900, otherwise known to the team as Nines, who looks like Connor if you gave him a second puberty and ice blue eyes. It’s a little weird to see Connor next to him, especially since Hank realized that he felt way more than he should for the android. Hank had told Connor once that it was like seeing Connor have a big brother in a family with really strong genes. Connor had helpfully reminded Hank that Nines was made after Connor, so he would technically be considered his younger brother which made Hank laugh loudly.
Hank appreciates that Connor has Nines and the Jericho crew, especially after how much he went through, but something gets under his skin.
Connor had described the basics of interfacing but most of it went over Hank’s head if he were being honest. If he were understanding it properly, it was like swapping memories with another android, which sounded faster than having to tell stories to people over and over again. Still, whenever he saw Connor interfacing with another android, something fluttered through Hank’s chest that made him feel dark.
So here he was, watching as Connor and Nines touched their arms together, skin fading away to show the white chassis underneath. Hank watches Connor’s LED spin yellow for a second before going back to the calm blue as he opens his eyes and smiles up at the taller man. Nines looks at Hank directly for a split second, making Hank jump back and avert his eyes before looking at them again. Connor is rubbing the back of his neck and his arm blocks his face, but Hank swears that he can hear his laughter. Something bubbles up in his chest and he can’t watch anymore, so he goes back to work.
Later, he asks Connor about it.
“When you do that thing with Nines,” Hank tries to emphasize what he means by gesturing around his arm wildly, “what the hell are you guys talkin’ about?”
Connor lets out a breathy little laugh, a noise that claws inside of Hank’s chest.
“I wouldn’t call it talking, really,” Connor starts, watching the television as he speaks, and Hank swears he must be imagining the blush rising on Connor’s cheeks. “It’s closer to if I was able to put everything I see and feel into a movie and he can watch it in a manner of seconds. I can also do the same with his memories and feelings.”
Hank hums, trying to take in the information so he can stop feeling weird whenever he sees Connor do it.
“So, what did you see from Nines?” Hank asks, hoping to clear the odd feeling in his chest.
Connor laughs suddenly, surprising Hank and making the older man smile despite himself.
“You know how Fowler paired Nines with Detective Reed to try and calm him down about androids?” Connor says, laughing as he speaks, making his voice slightly breathier and light. Hank nods. “Well, Reed has not been happy, and he thinks that pulling pranks and being vulgar is the way to get Nines to stop working with him. His most recent endeavor consists of leaving hateful comments on Nines’ personal profile on the DPD webpage. He doesn’t realize that his comments are mildly incoherent and are not being posted as they are being sent into the spam filter instead.”
Hank is full on laughing at this point, one of those laughs that wears out your lungs and makes your belly move with the force of your laugh. It makes Hank’s chest warm, and he feels even better when he hears Connor laugh full force as well, his cheeks blue with the effort.
“I need to teach Nines some counter pranks to deal with that kid,” Hank rasps out with the last bit of his laughter.
Connor’s cheeks are still dusted pretty blue, and his smile is still present on his face. “He wanted to interface so we could exchange information on our experiences with our,” Connor pauses as he speaks, “partners at the DPD.”
Hank feels something weird rumble inside of him. “What kind of experiences?”
Connor hums in thought. “Nines has been having trouble fitting into the atmosphere at the DPD and asked about how I was able to fit in here. I wasn’t able to give him much help, though, since you’re the only one who treats me like a person there.”
Hank feels conflicted about this information from Connor. On one hand, he feels warm at the idea that Connor felt comfortable and cared for around Hank. On the other, he hates that Connor still feels like he is hated at the precinct. While he knows that the younger man isn’t hated, he does know that most of the people there wouldn’t actually show anything besides derision to him.
“I think the folks at the precinct are having a harder time with Nines because he’s kind of unapproachable, you know?” Hank offers.
Connor tilts his head. “I do not know what you mean, can you explain?”
“After everything, Connor, you’ve shown more emotion and expression that you ever did before. I know Nines is still early in his deviancy, so he is still struggling with emoting and that can be off putting for people to be around,” Hank explains.
“Oh, so it is because he seems more inhuman?” Connor asks, LED running yellow.
“Kind of. It also makes him look like he’s angry at you, which makes it harder for people to talk to him,” Hank says.
Connor nods. “I understand. I will let him know when I see him tomorrow. Thank you, Hank.”
“If Nines wants to talk to someone other than that asshole, tell him he can talk to me,” Hank smiles and rests a hand on Connor shoulder, taking in Connor’s responding smile like it is the sun.
The next time Hank notices Connor interfacing, it’s with Kara, one of the androids Connor met at Jericho with Markus. She had originally traveled to Canada but had returned when she saw how the tide had turned towards android rights. Seeing her with her partner, Luther, and their adoptive daughter, Alice, always warmed Hank’s heart.
Hank was playing with Alice as Connor and Kara caught up on what they’ve been up to since the last time they met. Hank keeps sneaking glances over to them, watching their longer interface. At some point, they stop interfacing, but are just staring at each other, and Hank thinks it’s their weird mind telepathy shit that Hank doesn’t understand.
Alice is talking about something to do with her toys and Hank feels sadness tug at him. She doesn’t act like Cole did, but being around children always makes him remember Cole and feel melancholic. He’s past the point where it would drive him to drink, instead he focuses on nice memories with Cole that leave his chest feeling warm. Connor knows that playing with Alice makes him feel like this and tries to schedule time together as often as possible.
“Where’s your dad, kiddo?” Hank asks, holding one of the dolls in his hands that Alice has been interacting with.
“Ah, he’s having a night out with Markus,” Kara answers for her. “He’s the one who stays home so he needs some time out. He says he doesn’t, but I know he does.”
Connor laughs lightly at this. “I tell Hank the same thing. He only goes out for work and our breaks, never for himself. It’s good to get socialization.”
Hank sticks his tongue out at Connor instead of saying a curse, which makes the younger man laugh loudly. The sound always makes Hank’s chest tighten and makes him feel warm and light.
“You’d think they’d listen to us, considering,” Kara says, looking in Connor’s eyes with her eyebrows raised, something unsaid but understood between the two of them.
Hank wishes he could connect that easily to Connor, to know how he feels other than the basic colors that adorn his temple. Something dark curls inside of him and he hates that feeling, so he turns to go back to playing with Alice.
Alice turns towards Connor and Kara, eyes big. “Mom?”
“Yes, Alice?” she responds, standing to walk over to her daughter.
“Can I play with Connor now? Is that okay, Hank?” Alice looks between Hank and her mom, looking worried to hurt Hank’s feelings.
“Of course, kiddo, if your mom and Connor are okay with it,” Hank smiles and ruffles her hair to help her feel better.
Connor looks at Kara, who nods with a small smile, and Connor does his small, polite smile at Alice. He stands and walks over to Alice, and Hank takes Connor’s place at the table.
“Connor, Connor, Mom and I brought something, and I wanted to try it with you!” Alice cheers, running to grab her bag and bringing back some small rectangular boxes and brushes. “Can I do makeup on you?”
“I think the phrase is, ‘do your makeup’, but yes, you can,” Connor says, smile slightly bigger.
Hank watches for a second, an amused smile finding its way onto Hank’s face. Connor closes his eyes and lets Alice go wild with her colors and sparkles.
“It’s nice to watch them, isn’t it?” Kara says, smile spreading on her face easily.
“It is,” Hank agrees, smiling back at her. “Connor seems to enjoy being messed with, anyway.”
Kara laughs. “He talks about you a lot when we chat.”
“Really?” Hank laughs, taken off guard.
“When we interface, I can see and feel what he’s seen and felt,” Kara whispers, watching her child attack the other android with brushes and color. “I don’t see everything, but I do see the things he finds important, and you’re always there.”
Hank doesn’t know what to do with that information. He knows that Connor spends most of his time with Hank, but finding out that Connor thinks this the important parts are his times with Hank? That’s entirely different and he doesn’t know what it means.
“Mom! Hank! Look at Connor!” Alice calls out, thankfully breaking Hank out of his thoughts.
He looks over at Connor, who is covered in pink and purple color on his eyes, along with tons of sparkles all smeared in any and all directions. There’s also a dark pink lipstick smeared on Connor’s lips and the surrounding skin. Connor looks slightly tired at this, like he wants to smile but knows that he looks ridiculous. It reminds Hank of a video that was popular when he was younger, and he can’t help the barking laugh that comes out of him. Connor jumps at the noise, but his responding smile feels more natural.
“Do you like my appearance, lieutenant?” Connor says, around a smile that looks like Connor is trying to reign in but failing.
“Alice did a good job,” Hank laughs, walking over to ruffle Connor’s hair.
“Oh! Luther just let me know he’s outside,” Kara says, voice trying to hide mirth. “Let’s say goodbye and go see Dad, okay, Alice?”
Alice, always polite, hugs both Connor and Hank and says goodbye, smile big on her face. Kara thanks the both of them for their time before following Alice out of the door.
Hank looks back at Connor, who starts to laugh just moments after the door closes, blue in his cheeks clashing with the pink spread haphazardly on his eyelids. Hank can’t help but laugh as well.
~~
Nines seems to take what Hank said to heart, approaching Hank almost right after Hank sees them interface again. More and more of Nines’ personality shows every time he talks to Hank and Hank feels more affection for him growing each time. He knows Connor and Nines are very close and he wishes, slightly, that he could be that close to the both of them, but he thinks it may be his residual affection for Connor flooding over.
“Lieutenant?” Nines calls out, breaking Hank out of his thoughts.
“Ah, sorry, I was lost in thought,” Hank says, rolling his shoulders. “What’s up, Nines?”
Nines’ LED blinks yellow for just a second, which worries Hank, but it floods blue again and Hank calms.
“Connor told me that you said I could talk to you about my time here with the DPD. I know how positively you’ve helped him, and I wanted to see if you could help me as well,” Nines says, voice low, as if he’s shy, and that’s amazing. Connor doesn’t often get shy, so seeing a man with a similar face show these emotions is something completely different.
“You can always talk to me, kid, it doesn’t have to be about the DPD. You’re an important part of Connor’s life and I want to get to know you, too,” Hank says, trying to calm the other man’s anxieties.
“Thank you, Liutenant,” Nines says, trying to smile but it doesn’t look right on his face. It amuses Hank anyway.
“I told you already, call me Hank,” Hank says, slapping a hand on Nines’ back.
“Thank you, Hank,” Nines’ voice is small. “I know you’ve interacted with Detective Reed and that he looks up to you a lot. I’ve tried to become close with him to help our cases, but he refuses to speak with me outside of what is necessary.”
Hank remembers the way he treated Connor when the man had first come to the DPD, not talking to him unless he had to until the other man finally managed to squirm underneath his skin enough to get him talking. Hank knew that Connor went reaching for things to talk to Hank about, even feigning interest in Hank’s music choice to try and talk to him. Hank saw right through it, but it warms his heart thinking about it now.
“I was the same way with Connor when we first met,” Hank says, and Nines nods at this admission. “I didn’t want to talk to an android, much less one that was up my ass at every moment. It didn’t stop him, though, and he just kept finding out stuff I liked and would just ask me about it every moment he got. He finally managed to bug me enough that I started to talk back and got interested in him, too. I don’t know if it’ll work with that kid, but it doesn’t hurt to try.”
Nines takes in the information, LED spinning yellow for a few moments. “I will try that, Hank, thank you. I assume you don’t want me to tell detective Reed that it was you who gave me this advice, correct?”
Hank laughs. “He’d probably come and beat me up but maybe I’d deserve it.”
“You’ve been very helpful, Hank, you wouldn’t deserve to be beat,” Nines says quietly, voice genuine. “Thank you again.”
“Don’t mention it. You can do your weird mind talk with Connor and let him know he’s safe to come back to his desk now,” Hank says, voice louder than it was before.
“I don’t need him to do his weird mind talk, Lieutenant, I know I can come back any time,” Connor pouts, going back to his desk.
Hank just laughs.
~~
Hank forgets his issue with the interfacing thing for a little while until it rears its head back again when he sees Connor interface with Markus, newly back from a press run across the country. They’re visiting the new Jericho area, renovated and looking clean and sterile, and Hank feels out of place. He’s the only human here, which he tells Connor, who only has a slight laugh in return.
“How do you think I felt when I was first sent to the DPD?” Connor responds, and Hank can’t argue with that. He feels guilty about pointing it out until Connor knocks shoulders with him. “The people here know that you’re the reason I deviated. If they give us any problems, Markus will make sure they know that you’re important to me.”
Hank feels like the wind has been knocked out of him, so he doesn’t say anything. Thankfully, Markus shows up in the room they’re sitting in and waves them in.
“Hello, Connor. Hello, Hank. It’s good to see the both of you again,” Markus says, smile small on his face. “I worry about you both with how dangerous your work is. It would hurt Jericho greatly to lose you.”
Markus is looking at Connor when he says it and Hank feels like throwing up. He ignores it, knowing that this isn’t important, and trudges on behind Markus and Connor.
“There’s so much to fill you in on,” Connor says, smile sweet as he puts an arm forward, chassis showing. Markus nods and joins his hand with Connor’s, and that feeling inside of Hank gets worse.
He can’t connect with Connor like this. He can’t be what Connor needs, either. Connor needs someone who can read him well, who knows what he needs without having to say it out loud. Connor doesn’t need a recovering alcoholic with a beer belly and grey hair. Connor needs someone like Markus, or hell, even Nines. An android who can easily tell what is happening with him and know how to fix it. Connor has been nothing but kind to Hank, but Hank’s been an asshole through and through. Even after he deviated, Hank gave him shit, because he can’t be serious or emotional with someone without it feeling like he’s swallowing glass. Connor needs someone who gives him kindness in return, not sarcasm and shitty jokes.
After a few minutes of Connor and Markus interfacing, Hank can’t take anymore. He’s uncomfortable here, every turn reminding him how inferior he is to Connor and can’t give him anything he wants. He gives a shitty excuse before turning tail and running out, needing air.
He wants Connor. As more than just a partner or a friend, he wants Connor. He wants to see him smile, see him wear Hank’s clothes, see him try to cook, be there as Connor goes through life and be able to be the person who shows him how. He never put a name to it, but now he gets it.
He loves Connor. At some point, the smaller man had wormed his way under his skin and into his heart and made a nest there that Hank can’t afford. He can’t afford it when he knows Connor deserves better and that Connor has never seen Hank the same way. He hasn’t loved in such a long time and he knows nothing will come of this, so he needs to get as far away as he can.
He steps outside into the brisk air. It isn’t winter yet, but the night gets cold there and Hank wishes he had brought a thicker jacket. He shivers slightly and curls his arms around himself, watching his breath fog out in front of him. The revelation feels like everything has changed and nothing has changed. He’s changed, knowing this about himself, but he hasn’t really changed. He’s always loved men, but Connor feels different. He’s never been the possessive type, so seeing the way he reacts to Connor interfacing makes him feel like he’s the worst person around.
He has no reason to be possessive of Connor. They aren’t together.
And yet.
Hank jumps slightly hearing the door open behind him, but he doesn’t turn. He knows it’s Connor.
It’s always Connor.
“Hank?” Connor’s voice spills out behind him, feeling full of trepidation. “What’s going on with you?”
Hank feels anger rise in him, but it isn’t at Connor, it’s at himself.
“Nothing, I just needed some air,” Hank says, trying to keep his voice even.
“Hank, not to be vulgar,” Connor says, resting a hand on Hank’s shoulder and turning him to face Connor. “But you and I both know that’s bullshit.”
Hank whistles. “Where’d you learn how to talk like that?”
Connor, instead of answering verbally, just raises an eyebrow at Hank.
“I said I’m fine,” Hank says, but his voice is not convincing at all. “Okay, okay, I was uncomfortable. You’re more comfortable around other androids and I can’t do anything for you here, so I got out of the way.”
Connor’s LED flashes yellow for a few seconds before going back to calm blue. “You really think I’m more comfortable around Markus than I am around you?”
Hank shrugs. “I meant any android, but, yeah, sure.”
“You know Markus thought about killing me when I went to Jericho, right?”
Something angry and red flashes through Hank. “No, I didn’t. I thought he was being peaceful?”
“He had a choice when we were resting at the church before I went to cyberlife. He told me about it later. North and Simon had talked to him and he wasn’t sure whether or not to trust me, since I had worked with Cyberlife and the DPD. He could have shot me, he had the gun on him, but he decided to trust me.” Connor says everything calmly, eyes never looking away from Hank.
Hank doesn’t know how to respond to this, anger and confusion flowing through his chest, making him feel like he’s drowning on dry land.
“So, you still think I feel more comfortable around him than I do around you?” Connor asks, head tilting to the side. “You really think so low of our partnership to think I feel more for these other people than I do for you?”
“I—” Hank feels something break inside of him, opening the gates. “I can’t be what you need, Connor! I can’t interface or connect with you like they can. I can’t provide you whatever you need to make sure you feel fulfilled. I’m just an old man and you deserve someone who can keep up with you and give you what you need.”
Hank feels emotionally exhausted, but he knows that Connor isn’t going to give up. Connor could be just as stubborn as Hank.
“Are you—” Connor asks, LED going back to yellow and staying there. “Are you jealous of the fact that Markus can interface with me?”
“It isn’t just Markus, it’s everyone. It’s Kara, it’s Nines, they can all see you the way you truly are, but I can’t,” Hank admits, voice low. “No matter how much I feel for you, it’s not enough.”
“You know that Markus is with Simon, right?” Connor says, eyes clear and brown.
“Of course he—wait what?” Hank splutters, taken off guard. “When did that happen?”
Connor hums. “Since about a month after the revolution, I think. I never asked him outright about it, but I saw it in his memories.”
Hank stills, finally looking away from Connor. “Why are you even bringing that up?”
“Based on the research I’ve compiled, you are showing signs of jealousy,” Connor says, ignoring Hank when he coughs in response. “You seem to react this way when I interface with other androids. Even with Kara, who is married, which I do not understand. I do not have romantic feelings for Kara or Markus.”
Hank ignores the fact that Nines isn’t included. “I don’t care who you have romantic feelings for, Connor.”
“You do, though,” Connor says, walking closer to Hank, chest almost close enough to touch Hank’s. “I am not sure when it started to change, but at some point, you started to care. What I really do not understand is why you refuse to tell me about these feelings.”
Hank feels the rest of his stubbornness melt away under the heat of Connor’s. “I never said anything because you clearly don’t—and shouldn’t—feel anything for someone like me.”
Connor squints at Hank, LED still spinning yellow, before he lets out an artificial sigh that takes Hank off guard. “Hank, you’re one of the smartest people I’ve met, but you can be really dense.”
“Hey, fuck off!”
“You really think I don’t feel anything for you?” Connor asks, but it feels like a challenge, the way his eyes glitter in response. “You think you don’t deserve love and care. Just because you have issues with what you think you deserve; you shouldn’t put words in my mouth.”
“You’ve gotten quite the mouth on you recently, you know?” Hank says, frustration barely registering in his voice.
“Who do you think I learned that from, hm?” Connor challenges again, pushing his chest towards Hank’s. “I learned it from the most important man in my life.”
Hank’s eyes go wide, brain going into overdrive trying to figure out some way he could apply that to anyone else Connor knows.
He can’t.
“Connor, you don’t understand,” Hank tries, resisting the urge to put his hands on the other man. “I am way more serious about this than you might be ready for.”
Connor looks in Hank’s eyes, brown eyes big and full of light and adoration, and Hank can barely take how much emotion is in them. Connor really has come a long way since Hank had first met him.
“Have you ever known me to not be serious, Hank?” Connor asks, putting his hands on Hank’s chest, warm and strong. “Hank, I need you to listen to me when I say what I’m about to say. You aren’t going to interrupt me, and you aren’t going to question what I’m saying, okay?”
Hank’s mouth dries and he nods.
“First, what I need to say is,” Connor takes a breath in he doesn’t need, which makes Hank nervous. “I love you. I was waiting for you to say it first but you’re being stubborn about this and I’ve run out of patience. I need you to understand that I care about you and love you very much. Ever since I deviated, you’ve done nothing but be kind to me and have done so much to help me find myself. My android friends are important to me, along with everyone at the DPD, but no one compares to how much I care about you. You should well know that I don’t stay around people that I don’t particularly enjoy being around. You’re the most important person to me and I love you, Hank.”
Hank feels like the wind has been knocked out of him. His mind is a whirlwind of emotions, but the only thing staying strong and loud is Connor’s admission. I love you, he said.
“You can speak again, lieutenant,” Connor teases, knocking a hand lightly against Hank’s chest.
“I’m taking it all in,” Hank admits, chest feeling full to the brim. “I—”
“If you aren’t ready, you don’t have to answer me,” Connor quickly says, worry etched into his brows.
“You were the one who told me not to interrupt, geeze,” Hank whispers, mouth moving into a smile. “Are you gonna listen to me this time?”
Connor nods and Hank steels himself. He knows he won’t be rejected, but it is still nerve-racking to confess something so serious.
“I love you, too, you sarcastic, bratty, crazy damn android,” Hank says, voice quieter than he meant but still full of the intensity he wanted. “You gotta know that if you decide to do this with me, it’s a long time run.”
“I have no intention on leaving you at any point, Hank, even if you want me to do so,” Connor says, grabbing hold of Hank’s shirt.
“As if I could let you go, idiot,” Hank says with a laugh, but Connor interrupts his laugh by pressing his lips to Hank’s.
Hank had imagined Connor’s lips, but, somehow, they were even softer than Hank could ever imagine.
Connor kisses like someone who has only seen people kissing in movies, a little too aggressive and wet, but it’s so endearing that Hank can’t blame him. He breaks from the kiss to see Connor pouting.
“Calm down, Connor, just follow my lead, okay?” Hank whispers, cupping a hand around Connor’s cheek and feeling the man lean against him. “I’m not going anywhere.”
They kiss for another moment, Connor slowly learning how to properly kiss from Hank, soft and sweet and warm. Hank has to pull away for air and Connor seems to remember where they are.
“Oh!” Connor says, blue blush flushing deeply on his cheeks. “I left Markus! We need to go back and finish talking with him.”
Hank laughs but follows Connor in when he goes, feeling much lighter than he had when he’d left. When they get back into the room where Connor had left Markus, Markus is giving them a knowing stare. Hank feels his ears heat up, but he’s distracted by the squeeze Connor gives his hand before going back to talk with Markus. Hank doesn’t talk much as they continue to catch up on recent advancements in biocomponents or some shit Hank doesn’t fully understand, but Connor gets called away at one point by Simon, who has a blue tint to his face as he calls him over. Connor smiles at Hank and Markus before following him, head tilted to the side like he does when he’s trying to figure out a puzzle. Hank can’t decipher what is happening, especially since he knows that all of the androids have probably also talked to each other in their minds. He’s left alone with Markus and suddenly Hank feels like he’s being observed by more than just the android’s mismatched eyes.
“You know, he always talks about you when we catch up,” Markus says, voice quiet but full of the smile that he has on his face. “Even when we interface and I ask him about things that have happened to him, you’re always included. I’m sure he’s told you about how our interfacing works.”
“He’s told me the basics, but it never seems to make sense to me,” Hank admits, shrugging his shoulders. “You guys can see each other’s memories?”
“That’s the base of it, yes, but it can be much more intense than that. For example, when I interfaced with Connor earlier, I saw a memory of him trying to learn how to cook dinner for you, but I also felt what he did at the time. I felt how happy he was when he succeeded and you enjoyed his food. I felt how frustrated he felt when he was having difficulties. It feels like you are standing in their body.”
“That sounds,” Hank tries for a word, “overwhelming.”
“It can be, especially if the other person has gone through something traumatic. While it can be something that helps us understand each other, it can pass on their pain or hurt to ourselves, which can be detrimental. Sadly, when we interface, we can’t only show the good things that happen to us.”
Hank thinks he knows why Markus is telling him this. Having it fully explained to him by someone who wasn’t Connor helped him see it in less of an intimate manner.
“I thought it was more intimate, between androids, when you did that,” Hank says, figuring he might as well be honest while he can.
“It can be, if the people involved intend it to be that way. You feel the sensations the other feels, which can be beneficial to some in intimacy,” Markus answers, nodding along to Hank, voice free of judgement. “For most interactions, though, it is not intimate. Connor has specific things he does not want me to see, and the reverse is true for myself. I tried to hide the nature of my relationship with Simon from Connor at first, but clearly my feelings bled out into areas that are not specific to romance.”
Hank hums in thought at this information. He thought that nothing was held back from the other android when they interfaced, so it was interesting to find out that they seemingly had locks on memories like humans do. “Why did you want to hide it from Connor?”
“Love was still new to me,” Markus says, blue blush slightly rising on his cheeks, “and I didn’t want to give a newly deviated Connor even more emotions to deal with when he was having trouble with the ones he already had. I can’t hide my love completely, though, and neither can he.”
“Huh?” Hank says smartly, caught off guard by Markus, who smiles wider than Hank has ever seen him do before.
“Even before he had a name for the feeling, I could tell Connor had a lot of love for you when we interfaced. It helped that most of his memories that he feels comfortable sharing are with you but feeling how he did when he looked at you, it is very clear how much he feels for you.”
“That’s,” Hank pauses, taking in the information, “That’s a lot to take in.”
“It may seem like it’s easy for androids to communicate with each other, and in some ways, it is, but there are some things that we lack as well,” Markus says, and Hank feels like a lot of pressure has been taken off his shoulders. “While it may seem like it would be better to be able to interface, isn’t it nice to hear the words said, instead? Can’t you see how much love Connor has for you just by looking into his eyes?”
“Yeah,” Hank agrees, smiling, “Yeah, I can, now.”
~~
When they arrive home, Connor is on Hank before the door can even fully close, lips pressing into Hank’s insistently. Hank wants to laugh but is currently not able with an android trying to suck off his face, lips-first. He kisses Connor back for a few moments before needing to break away, but Connor simply begins to kiss around Hank’s face and jawline, leading down to his neck.
“Slow down, cowboy,” Hank laughs out, but Connor whines. “Don’t you want to talk first?”
Connor stops for a moment before shaking his head in a negative. Hank laughs.
“What did you talk with Simon about?” Hank asks, pulling Connor to look at him by the chin. He’s rewarded with a bright blue blush staining Connor’s cheeks, contrasting prettily with the bright brown of his eyes.
“I—I asked him for advice,” Connor mutters, clearly embarrassed by the admission.
“Advice about what?” Hank prods, partially wanting an answer and partially doing it to tease more of a reaction out of the android.
“I—!” Connor exclaims, blush crawling down his neck, making Hank want to kiss it. “B-becoming intimate with another person is not part of my program.”
“Oh, so you asked him how to have sex?” Hank teases, smile widening on his face. Its so cute to watch Connor squirm under the attention and he likes where this conversation is heading.
“I know how to have sex!” Connor whines, eyebrows knitted in frustration. God, Hank wants to kiss him all over. “I am not equipped with the proper protocol needed to initiate sex with someone who is important to me, and he knew, so he helped me download it.”
“Oh, you needed some kind of sex code update?” Hank says, fingers starting their way up Connor’s arms, teasing the skin there. “Like the Traci models?”
“Their programming is not for—” Connor hides his eyes away from Hank’s gaze, “for making love. I couldn’t use that.”
“Oh, you want to make love with me?” Hank teases, knowing exactly the way Connor will respond.
“Of course! It’s only natural for me to want that with you,” Connor says, eyes wide and staring right into Hank’s again, “but you don’t?”
“Of course, I do, baby,” Hank answers, leaning down to swipe a quick kiss from the other man, “I just like to hear you say it. You sure you want this, though?”
The answer is immediate.
“Of course!” Connor exclaims, nodding rapidly.
“Do you have the right equipment for something like that, or do we need to change things around?” Hank asks, wanting to know what he’s getting into before he starts anything.
Instead of a verbal answer, Connor grabs Hank’s hand and brings it to his crotch, hissing at the contact when Hank squeezes him through his jeans. Yep, he’s packing.
“Is there anything you like that you’d like me to do, Hank?” Connor asks, eyes already glossing over with just the effort of kissing and Hank groping at his cock through his pants.
“Hm, I have a few things I like,” Hank thinks, “but if you don’t like them or feel uncomfortable, you need to tell me right away, okay?”
Connor nods.
“Let’s talk about this in the bedroom, though, baby boy,” Hank says, the boy in ‘baby boy’ slipping out on accident, causing him to blush. Seeing Connor’s reaction to it, though, a deepening blush and a small ‘o’ with his mouth, a hiss of breath, he doesn’t regret it.
They get to the bedroom quickly with how eager Connor is. Hank is worried the night might pass too fast with how excited the android is and Hank wants the man’s first time to be better than a quick fuck.
Hank sits on the edge of his bed and lets Connor straddle him as they talk.
“Can you try calling me daddy?” Hank asks, prepared for Connor to bolt out and regret everything that brought him here.
Instead, he gets a soft and heady, “Daddy?” that almost kills him on the spot.
“God, baby, you’re already so sexy for me,” Hank says, leaning down to kiss Connor’s neck, focusing on the little freckles placed there. “Do you like saying that, kitten?”
Connor shudders and rolls his hips but nods into Hank’s shoulders.
“You like it when I call you pretty names, baby?” Hank asks, thinking he knows the answer, but still wanting to hear it from Connor’s mouth.
“Yes, so much, daddy,” Connor says, leaning his head back, eyes closed in pleasure, and Hank wishes he had gotten the balls to confess sooner. If he had known that Connor would be this damn sexy in bed, he would have confessed the minute Connor had deviated.
Hank spends his time kissing Connor’s neck, sucking marks onto Connor’s skin and soaking in the noises the other man makes. Hank feels himself get hard faster than he expected, especially for how long it’s been since the last time Hank had sex. It might be because this feels intense, but Hank thinks it might just be because it’s Connor.
Connor falls apart under Hank’s touch, which adds a little too much to Hank’s ego for him to handle. He’s distracted from his thoughts by Connor rolling his hips tightly over Hank’s clothed cock, and while he would love to keep taking Connor apart seam by seam, he doesn’t think he can last much longer.
“Baby,” he whispers around a heated kiss that leaves Connor moaning against Hank’s mouth. “If you want to do more, I need you to undress for me.”
Connor shudders before nodding, shakily standing. His hands aren’t coordinated enough to do much, so Hank helps him, unbuttoning his shirt and shuffling it off his wide shoulders, kissing Connor’s chest as he does so. He can see the dark line around where Connor’s thirium pump is, and as he uses his hands to unbutton Connor’s pants, he kisses there, gently, pushing love into the spot that keeps his love running. Connor shakes more violently at this, wrapping his arms around Hank’s head and keeping him close. Hank shoves Connor’s pants down along with his boxers unceremoniously, admiring the sight in front of him.
“God, baby, you’re so fuckin’ sexy for me,” Hank whispers, taking Connor’s cock in hand. Its smaller than Hanks but looks delectable, blue tip so hard it looks like it might turn purple if Hank keeps him waiting any longer. Connor hisses and tips over at the contact, making Hank smile. “Did you turn your sensitivity up for me, angel?”
Connor nods, mouth open and chest heaving with air Connor might finally actually need to cool him down. He feels hot to the touch under Hank’s hands, like a laptop left on a fluffy blanket while running, and Hank wants to push him further. He spits into his hand, making Connor buck over and shake, before he gives Connor a few lazy strokes.
The response is even better than he could’ve imagined. Connor shouts and moans loudly, curses falling from his mouth along with cute little ‘daddy’s and ‘oh, Hank,’s before he tenses and comes right in Hank’s lap. Hank is caught slightly by surprise, but is more amused than anything, milking Connor through his orgasm. Hank releases Connor’s cock, which does not soften—Jesus Christ—and rubs Connor’s back.
“Look at you, already coming for your daddy,” Hank muses, kissing Connor’s shoulder and pec. “What do you want, baby boy?”
Connor backs up slightly, just to look straight in Hank’s eyes as he says, “I want you to fuck me, daddy, fill me up.”
Hank can’t help the shudder that goes through his body at that. “Where’d my good boy learn how to talk like that, huh?”
Connor is focused on taking Hank’s shirt off. “I learned it from daddy, of course.”
Hank helps Connor take off his clothes, standing so he can comfortably get out of everything without Connor ripping off his clothes, which seems more likely the longer it takes to get it off. Once Hank is naked, he directs Connor to lay on his back and spread his legs open before walking to his nightstand, only to be stopped by Connor’s hand on his arm.
“There’s no—” Connor catches his breath, “There’s no need for lube, Hank.”
“What’s my name, brat?” Hank teases, just to see how Connor reacts.
“D-daddy,” Connor says, voice quiet and submissive again. God, Hank loves seeing this stubborn man bend to his will. “You don’t need it, daddy, not with me.”
“What do you mean?” Hank asks, unsure if Connor is trying to hurt himself or if there’s something Hank doesn’t know.
Connor guides him back onto the bed, Hank looming over him, before moving Hank’s hand down to the cleft of his ass, fingers brushing against—
“Wait,” Hank says, completely thrown for a loop against the feeling of a wet and stretched entrance under his fingers. “You—?”
“I have a component that allows me to self-lubricate when pleasured, and I can loosen or tighten my anal cavity at will,” Connor says, which shouldn’t sound sexy to Hank, with the technical way Connor says it, but it makes Hank want to destroy him. “I’m ready, I can’t wait, I need you—daddy!”
Connor is begging, something Hank has never seen the man do before, and god, he’s weak to big brown eyes and a blue blush that trickles onto Connor’s chest.
“Okay, baby boy, I got you, daddy will take care of you,” Hank says, crawling forward so his hips can align with Connor’s, his thick, flushed cock teasing Connor’s entrance when Hank holds his legs up. “You ready for me, baby?”
Connor nods, moaning incoherently at the contact against his hole, and Hank can’t deny him this, especially when he wants it so badly, too. Hank slowly slides in, wanting to be cautious despite Connor’s warning.
Connor tenses up once Hank is fully inside of him and Hank can feel his cock rub against a bundle of wires placed very carefully inside of Connor. Connor comes for the second time that night just from Hank entering him, shivering and shouting as he came ropes over his own chest, and Hank loves the sight.
“You’re so sensitive, baby, have you never touched yourself down here?” Hank teases, gently rubbing Connor’s cock with his hand to over-sensitize the boy.
“Never—inside—I can’t reach,” Connor says around his hand, which he clamped over his mouth as came. Some words are missing, but Hank understands him fully.
“Oh, you couldn’t reach your sweet spot, baby? So, you never fucked yourself open?” Connor shakes his head, moaning as Hank slowly thrusts in him as he speaks. “You’ve touched your cock, though, kitten?”
Connor nods rapidly, a loud moan punched out of him as Hank lifts him slightly, allowing himself to thrust deeper into the boy. “Before—I thought of daddy—but I couldn’t—I couldn’t,” Connor mumbles around moans and gasps, falling apart as Hank starts to thrust faster, hitting Connor’s prostate with every thrust.
“Oh, you thought of your daddy, but you couldn’t tell him about it?” Hank says, voice slightly teasing. “Daddy would have helped you come if you told him, though. Were you embarrassed?”
Connor shakes his head, moaning before answering. “I was—ashamed—thought daddy didn’t love me,” Connor admits, and this feels like Connor is leaving his heart—thirium pump—open and raw for Hank to see, making Hank feel much more vulnerable than he expected as he’s fucking Connor.
“You couldn’t tell that I loved you, baby?” Hank says, less teasing this time, hoping that his voice can help calm Connor’s worry. “I’ve loved you for so long, Connor, you don’t even know. I’ve wanted you like this for so long and I want to keep you around.”
Connor moans brokenly as Hank speaks, eyes screwed shut in pleasure and hands reaching for Hank’s face.
“I love you, Connor, and I want to be a family with you,” Hank says, hoping Connor understands how serious he is about this. “I want you for the rest of my life.”
“Hank!” Connor calls out, which sounds like a warning, so Hank goes faster. Connor opens his eyes and meets Hank’s, and he’s crying—what the fuck, what the fuck—but he has a smile on his face as he babbles, “Love you, Hank, love you so much, daddy. Want daddy, too, forever, want to be daddy’s forever.”
Hank’s chest clenches and he gives Connor a few hard thrusts before he comes inside of the android, moan sounding closer to a growl. The feeling of being filled up must push Connor over the edge, as he comes just a moment after Hank does, moaning sounding like a sob around Hank’s name, arms tugging Hank down to feel him close.
They lay there for a moment, Hank with his weight on Connor and softening cock still inside of Connor, but it feels right—like he’s supposed to be here. It feels like everything has led to this.
After Hank is able to catch his breath, he pulls out, making Connor whine and shudder around the feeling.
“Hank, its—” he calls out as Hank goes to get a wet towel to clean them up.
“I’m coming, baby, I’ll help you get clean,” Hank reassures him.
He kisses Connor’s body as he spends time cleaning him up, appreciating what he has under his hands and trying to press his love into every artificial pore. After he dumps the rag into the laundry basket, he puts on his boxers and throws Connor his, then joins him in the bed, pulling the blanket over them both.
Connor takes the opportunity to cuddle against Hank’s chest, arm wrapping around his stomach and head resting in the crook between Hank’s arm and his—now flabby—pectoral. He shifts around until he’s comfortable, blue LED just barely visible.
“Hey, Hank?”
“Hm?”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, baby. Now, sleep.”
Hank kisses the top of Connor’s head before falling into the most restful sleep he’s had in a long while.