Etraya: Inbox

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

TEXT • VOICE • VIDEO • ACTION
USERNAME: HANK

Hank here. I probably don’t give a rat’s ass what you have to say. Leave me alone. How the hell do I get this damn thing to stop rec — [BEEP]

Comments

[instabilitatem]

[Connor has been waiting for Hank to notice the painting, sitting inside his room-- wearing new clothes !! -- and waiting for Hank to make some kind of remark. As soon as he hears the huh, Connor steps out of his room to watch for more. He folds his hands into each other and looks over at Hank.]

Do you like it?

gASPS new clothes new clothes!!! 👏

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

It’s real colorful.

[Hank hmms. He doesn’t really understand the color scheme, but the variation is nice.

Gesturing toward the bottom of the painting with his hand:] What’s all that green there represent?

[Still a little sleepy. Still squinting.]

fashion show !!

[instabilitatem]

[Connor looks at the painting with a smile.]

When you mix Thirium Blue with Hank Yellow, you get green. It represents our relationship.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Oh. [Hank nods at Connor’s explanation.] I like that.

[He wants to ask if there’s so much green, and at the bottom, because it’s a sort of base. Strong. Their friendship.]

Okay, then how about the —

[Looking at Connor, Hank’s eyes widen. Head jerking back in surprise.]

The hell are you wearing?

[instabilitatem]

[Connor smiles over at Hank before looking down at his clothes.]

They're new clothes.

[Duh, Connor.]

I thought I might try them out.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

They’re. Uh. Got a nice lookin’ texture to them.

[Except Hank obviously hasn’t touched them so that sounds very weird.]

I mean — you know what I mean. [Rubbing the back of his neck, eyes darting away.] Looks real good, Connor.

[instabilitatem]

[Connor looks down and runs his fingers over the texture in question. He didn't realize anything was wrong with it, but perhaps he thought wrong.]

It does. I enjoy wearing it.

[It isn't his favorite color blue, but Connor doesn't mind too much.]

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Better keep Sumo off of it. You know how he sheds.

[Now Hank is just rambling.

His face isn’t warm. It’s just hot in here. Why is it so warm in here??]

Guess I would’ve figured you’d pick something more like — y’know.

[Which is Hank’s way of saying “that whole beanie get-up,” but he remembers, again, that this Connor never got to that point.]

[instabilitatem]

[Connor looks down at himself and then back up at Hank.] I don't think I know what you mean.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

It’s nothing.

[They haven’t touched much on everything Connor missed back home. Hank still isn’t sure how it might make him feel to know everything.]

A while after Kamski’s place, you got some new clothes, is all. Had a jacket that looked kinda like Reed’s, honestly. Pretty sharp. And a — [voice a little garbled] — beanie.

[After clearing his throat:] Guess I just thought you might like wearing that sort of thing.

[instabilitatem]

Hmm. [Connor considers that, creating a mental image of himself in a leather jacket and beanie. It's not too off the mark, but Connor also assumes he must have dressed in such a way because of an assignment.]

I can change if you like.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

No.

[Said very quickly — too quickly — but Hank tries to shrug it off.]

I like it. I mean, doesn’t matter if I like it, but — it’s fine, Connor. It’s good to see you trying new things. Exploring your style, and all that.

[instabilitatem]

[Well, that was fast.]

It felt... comfortable and I like the color. [Blue will always be his absolute favorite, but he enjoys white as well.]

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Is that all you got?

[A little shifty-eyed. Don’t mind Hank. Don’t mind him at all.]

I mean, did you just pick up a single outfit, or...?

[instabilitatem]

I also picked up a sweatshirt and jeans.

[Connor smiles brightly. He can do a fashion show, if Hank so requests.]

walk walk fashion

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Can’t just say that, Connor. [A little grumbly: mostly joking.] Are you gonna show me, or what?

fashion show at lunch!

[instabilitatem]

[Connor smiles and nods before ducking back into his room. In a few minutes, he emerges in a plain blue sweatshirt, a pair of lightly-colored jeans, and a pair of sneakers. He would fit in well in any college dorm.]

What do you think?

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

[Hank has to sit down on the couch when Connor goes to change. Or — he doesn’t have to, but god is it easier on his nerves. Connor seems happy to show his clothes off, but...? Hank can’t help but feel a little greedy.

Whatever. Connor’s coming back out so Hank stands up, hand on his chin. Appraising.]

Well, look at you, Con. I like the — [everything? How does he say that without sounding weird?] — the whole ensemble you’ve got going there.

[Yeah, that works.]

[instabilitatem]

[Connor looks down at himself and then back up at Hank at the use of the word 'ensemble.']

I like the sneakers most.

[Very different from his 'work' shoes.]

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

They look nice on you.

[Hank steps back to get a good look. Arms crossed as he nods.]

They comfortable, and all that?

[instabilitatem]

Very comfortable.

[Connor bobs on his feet, smiling over at Hank.]

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Seem pretty happy there, Con.

[Which is what Hank has wanted: Connor safe and happy and thriving. As much as he can here, anyway.

Hank wonders about the whole friendship angle — has he been making friends? Getting along with people? — but Connor seems goddamn elated.

And Hank doesn’t want to fuck that up.]

Glad to see you’re working through that list of yours.

[What else was on it? Something about sheets?]

You pick up any bedsheets while you were out getting new clothes?

[instabilitatem]

[The wild thing is that Connor is really happy, which is something he never even contemplated before deviating. It wasn't something that crossed his mind as a possibility. Now that he is deeply happy? He never wants to let this feeling go.

At the question of bedsheets, Connor nods, albeit sheepishly.] I did. But I had to study your bed to see how they fit.

[Connor went into your room, big guy.]

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

You had to study my bed?

[The thought of Connor going all Investigation Mode on his bed is both hilarious and a little horrifying, considering — well. Hank hasn’t had time to really fuck up this new apartment, nor the last, but still. He puts the fitted sheets on, sure, but the blankets are always a tangled mess. And socks: socks get lost in those blankets. Devoured. There are maybe half a dozen empty beer bottles stashed beneath the bed, too. Not that he’s trying to hide them, exactly.]

Shit, I hope you didn’t take too much inspiration from my room.

[instabilitatem]

I made sure to add the half dozen socks between the top sheet and the fitted sheet.

[He's not sure how that helps with sleep, but Connor also... doesn't sleep. He's just trying to at least look the part of human.]

I didn't think the beer bottles were required.