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

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Oh yeah? Looking forward to it, Connor.

You end up making a bunch?

[instabilitatem]

No, just you.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Why just me?

[ Not judging. Just curious. ]

‘Cause you missed me?

[instabilitatem]

Actually, yes. That's precisely the reason.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

You don’t gotta miss me, Connor. I’m right here.

But I missed you, too. If you hadn’t jumped through that damn cabin window… hell, maybe I would’ve eventually.

[instabilitatem]

You are now, yes.

I would not expect you to climb through the window.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Well, damn. Don’t trust me to break into a cabin? For you?

I didn’t expect you to do that either, exactly. Although in retrospect I guess I should’ve. Based on past experience, and all.

[instabilitatem]

I surprised myself as well. The compulsion was more overwhelming than I expected.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

[ And this compulsion is just aimed at Hank, from what he understands. Which makes sense: they’ve been through a lot together.

But still. ]

If it happens again, we can try to. I dunno. Better prepare.

If we have another bullshit thing like camp, I mean. I’m not leaving on purpose or anything.

[instabilitatem]

[Connor isn't sure what to make of the compulsion either. Some deviants have demonstrated compulsions in their time. Perhaps this is similar.]

I don't seem to have the same compulsion when we share an apartment.

[Or not yet.]

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Well, sure. That makes sense. You’re probably used to the apartment, yeah? For better or worse, it’s our home for now.

Camp was something new. Made us both jittery. Even though we knew we’d see each other in the morning.

I’m glad you came to see me, Connor. Real glad.

[ Even if Hank wouldn’t have broken into Connor’s cabin, he would’ve been especially cranky the next day. ]

[instabilitatem]

I suppose that makes sense.

You are? I thought you would be angry with time.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

I’m not. Not angry.

Fuck Aurora-Echo-whoever and their rules, anyway.

You wanted to see me. I wanted to see you. Sometime shit gets to be simple. Not often, but sometimes.

[ Even though Hank still doesn’t think he deserves to be on the receiving end of Connor’s attention, it makes sense. What is he supposed to do? Try to subvert that? Even if Hank wanted to, even if he thought that were for the best... what he really wants is for Connor to decide what he wants. Who he wants to be around.

Unless those people are treating him poorly, but Connor and Doctor Asshole seem to be getting on well enough. ]

Not to say that you should go breaking into places just to see me, but I’m glad you did. Those nights in the cabin were... you know. Didn’t sleep well, and all that.

[instabilitatem]

I did. I wanted to see you more than I am capable of expressing.

Are you sleeping better now that we're home?

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

I wanted to see you, too. Real bad.

Sleeping a little better, yeah.

[ Hank figures he should lie here and say yeah, everything is just peachy. But he also figures that Connor would catch on eventually. He’s managed to avoid raiding the fridge at night, but he’s still rustling around his room at three in the morning. ]

Could be worse.

[instabilitatem]

Has that happened before to you? Wanting to see someone?

Are you sure? Is that Sumo moving around in the middle of the night?

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

Oh, sure. It’s been a long time, though. Real long time. Until you.

It’s not Sumo, no.

[ Lie, Hank!!!! Lie! But again, he doesn’t. ]

[instabilitatem]

If I may ask, what makes me so special?

So it's you up and moving so early in the morning?

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

I mean, do you want an essay here? We’ve been through a lot together, and yet you’re still wanting to stick around. Which I don’t really understand, not entirely, but I’m glad.

That’s one thing that makes you real special, Connor. You want to be around me, and I wanna be around you. Can’t say that about most people.

Yeah, yeah. It’s me. Sorry. Wasn’t trying to disturb you. Was trying not to, actually. Can see I fucked that up though.

[instabilitatem]

I want to be around you as often as possible. And I don't think it's the programming.

No, it's fine. I don't need real sleep. I hope that you're alright.

[bootyshortsforoldmen]

I’m sure it’s not the programming. You’re your own person. Figuring out all the things you like.

[ Even though one of those “things” is Hank. Hmm. ]

It’s sweet of you to be concerned. I’m fine. I’m just. You know.

Sumo kicks when he sleeps on my bed sometimes.

[ No, that’s not it at all. That is a LIE! ]

[instabilitatem]

That's true. I am capable of self-actualization now. Part of that is determining things I do and don't like. Which you've been helping with considerably.

Oh. I could have Sumo in my room if he keeps you awake.