Sure. Yeah. [A small smile creeps onto his face. Why not let himself pretend for an hour or so that he’s...? Someone anyone would want to watch a movie with.
He glances at that cute little vest once Connor’s stepped in front of him. Mentally swatting himself for looking at all.]
There any snacks you want?
[Hank has one hand tucked in his pocket, ready to beat Connor to pay this time...!]
[Hank doesn’t quite understand that smile, but its allure is what keeps him here. He thought it might feel like a win if he could see it again.
And it does. But now he wants to keep winning.]
You got it. [Hank slaps cash up on the counter!!] Can get anything else too, if you want.
[He really hadn’t expected this distraction, but it’s nice. Different. He’s sure — hopes — that Sumo won’t mind. Probably still napping after his bath.]
[Why is Connor looking at Hank like that!! He’s weak. Weak! The closest anyone’s got to smiling at Hank in the past week has been Sumo when he gives him his favorite jerky.]
Soda. Got it. [Root beer?! Root beer is good! Hank grabs some peanut butter M&M’s, too. Might as well be self-indulgent.] I’ll be in after the popcorn’s done, yeah? Don’t, uh — go too far.
[As if Hank might lose Connor in the theater that probably isn’t very big.]
Won't go far, promise. [Connor winks and then disappears through the doors of the cinema. He picks a seat not far from the back, sitting on the aisle so he can be easily found.]
[Maybe Connor will be gone once Hank gets into the viewing area. He wouldn’t blame him, exactly — weird old guy giving mixed signals! — but...
Hank hopes he keeps that promise. With popcorn, soda, and chocolate in hand, he heads into the theater. It’s not so dark yet with the stupid little pre-movie ads playing on the screen, and Hank’s vision isn’t that bad.
He’s a little surprised to see Connor. A little happy, too: Hank avoids most people, spends long hours driving, but for now he can just pretend that he’s anything else. A man who hangs out with strangers at truck stops on the regular.]
Here’s your soda. [Hope you like root beer, Connor!! Hank hands him the cup before awkwardly shuffling past to sit beside him. Tub of popcorn in hand.]
[Connor looks up when he hears footsteps in the cinema and smiles when he notices Hank.
He does indeed like root beer and accepts it with an even wider smile. He sets the cup into the cup holder and then looks over at the popcorn. What Connor wants most is to hold Hank’s hand through the movie, but how best to handle the popcorn so they can both eat it.I can hold it.
All right. I’m trusting you, then. [Handing the tub of popcorn to Connor, now.] Don’t go and eat it all.
[This is a stupid joke, and Hank doesn’t know why he says it. Eat the popcorn, Connor! Eat it all!! Hank will just go get more; will make him feel useful.
The lights of the theater dim as the last of the weird ads roll, and Hank sneaks a peek over at Connor. It was going to be weird, regardless of whoever ended up with the popcorn. But now it’s Hank who has to feel all awkward as he dives his hand in for some popcorn.
He doesn’t particularly like popcorn, but it’s a movie food. And it gets him chewing on something, rather than letting him stew with his thoughts of: “what the fuck am I doing here?”]
Of course not, Hank. [Connor winks and leans back in his seat a little.
The opening credits roll and Connor peeks over at Hank, taking in his profile and quietly adoring it. He doesn't mind Hank's age at all. In fact, he finds Hank quite charming and is curious as to what will happen next.
And what's happening next is Connor setting his hand, face up, on the arm rest between them. Will Hank take it?]
[Hank leans in close, whispers in his ear, and Connor's eyes flutter shut for a moment. His smile continues to brighten as he turns ever so slightly towards hank.]
It's there for your hand, if you want.
[Y'know, just a little cute hand holding if Hank is up for it.]
Hank is squinting at the movie screen, trying to wrap his head around the logic of it all: Connor, not the movie. He understands what Connor is aiming for here — with the hand thing, at least — but what he doesn’t understand is why.
It’s hard to just let himself go and embrace the evening’s whimsy. Sure, a cute, much younger guy is... being flirty. It’s just that — not as if they’ll see each other again after this.
Hank sighs: because he’s tired of fighting with himself. It’s one night.]
I do want, yeah. [He says this in a whisper — something he didn’t have to bother vocalizing, seeing as how he reaches for Connor’s hand. Awkwardly laying his palm flat atop Connor’s, just feeling him — because, really, how is this real? — before he’s curling his fingers between his.]
[Connor clasps his fingers around Hank's and squeezes. He's been tempted in the past to have a one-night fling, but never so as tempted as this night. After assuming he'd ruined it with his advance in the showers, Connor is more than pleased to be holding Hank's hand now.]
Is this alright?
[He does want to make sure that he's not making Hank uncomfortable.]
[More than fine, really, once Hank let himself take the leap. Even if it’s just Connor doing his good deed for the day, being nice to the grumpy old man at the truck stop, and —
No. He’s gotta stop thinking like that. Doesn’t matter if it’s true. Hank just needs to stop thinking.
So he does, and instead, he brushes his thumb against Connor’s hand. Softly; back and forth. And Hank is watching the movie now, sort of — mostly gawking because what the fuck is with these sharks?? — but holding Connor’s hand is better. More enjoyable.]
[Oh. Oh. This is nice. Connor leans in closer as they hold hands, eyes on the movie but his focus remains on Hank's hand, how his thumb moves across Connor's skin. Though there is an armrest between them, Connor leans closer yet, setting his head on Hank's shoulder. The popcorn remains in Connor's lap, but just barely as he gets settled.]
Hank isn’t complaining. He is quiet. Still wondering what he’s gotten himself into when he again has to shut off that train of thought. Nope. Hand holding only in this head, now. And sharks, kind of. But mostly the warmth of Connor’s hand, the softness; the strangeness of feeling someone against Hank’s hand like this.
He thinks, too, about how Connor’s leaning on him now. And he tells himself that it doesn’t mean anything, again, but it feels... nice. Warm. Like something Hank has needed for years and years and yet hasn’t found again, after he lost Cole. Hasn’t let himself look for.
Comfort. From another person. It’s weird.
Hank turns ever so slightly toward Connor, lips brushing his hair before he turns back in a rush. He didn’t mean to do that — but what did he mean, then?
It’s Hank: the one making this excruciatingly weird. He sucks in a deep breath, letting it out slowly.]
[Connor likes watching the movie like this. Not ones with sharks in them, but with company. And especially with such lovely company. Hank is warm in his hand, beneath his cheek. He feels Hank shift and then a brush of his hair. Connor glances up with curiosity.]
[He’s almost surprised Connor hasn’t marched out of here by now. Hank hasn’t done anything like this in years, and part of him is still awaiting that dreadful “sike!”]
It’s good. [Being with Connor, he means. Touching another person.
He tries to maneuver his free hand over to the popcorn — neither wanting to let go of Connor’s hand nor get said hand all greasy — and as he does so, Hank knocks a bit of popcorn in Connor’s lap.
Oh! [Connor looks down at the popcorn but isn't too worried. He grabs the couple pieces from his lap and happily chews them. He nudges the popcorn bucket closer before taking a couple of fresh fluffs of popcorn and holds them up for Hank to eat.]
Uh. Yeah. [Not that popcorn is exactly filling, but Hank’ll take it.] Guess you could say that.
[He reaches for the popcorn. Shoving it into his mouth as he chews slowly.
It’s nice that no one has shushed them… yet. The theater is, understandably, mostly empty. Whether that’s because people aren’t in the mood for a movie, or they aren’t up for “Sharknado,” specifically — who knows.
Whispered incredulously:] The fuck is this movie, Connor?
Edited (rascally brackets) Date: 2025-02-14 03:36 am (UTC)
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Date: 2025-02-08 04:31 am (UTC)Sharknado. A classic.
[Connor pauses, fidgets with his glass before looking up again.] Are you... coming to see it with me?
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Date: 2025-02-08 04:40 am (UTC)Heard of that. Haven’t seen it myself.
[Hank assumes it’s like Jaws. Also a classic!
But he notices the way Connor fidgets, so he says:]
Can leave you alone, if you’d prefer.
[Which is what he assumes Connor will want. Because who would want to hang out with an old asshole at a truck stop?
Hank lets himself play back Connor’s little “just you” in his head, though.]
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Date: 2025-02-08 04:42 am (UTC)[Connor looks hopeful, quietly filled with desire in his cute little vest.]
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Date: 2025-02-08 05:01 am (UTC)Sure. Yeah. [A small smile creeps onto his face. Why not let himself pretend for an hour or so that he’s...? Someone anyone would want to watch a movie with.
He glances at that cute little vest once Connor’s stepped in front of him. Mentally swatting himself for looking at all.]
There any snacks you want?
[Hank has one hand tucked in his pocket, ready to beat Connor to pay this time...!]
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Date: 2025-02-08 02:16 pm (UTC)Some popcorn?
[Connor's hand also drops into his pocket ! ! !]
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Date: 2025-02-08 02:41 pm (UTC)[Hank doesn’t quite understand that smile, but its allure is what keeps him here. He thought it might feel like a win if he could see it again.
And it does. But now he wants to keep winning.]
You got it. [Hank slaps cash up on the counter!!] Can get anything else too, if you want.
[He really hadn’t expected this distraction, but it’s nice. Different. He’s sure — hopes — that Sumo won’t mind. Probably still napping after his bath.]
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Date: 2025-02-08 03:03 pm (UTC)And a soda.
[He continues to beam at Hank.]
I’ll get us seats?
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Date: 2025-02-08 03:12 pm (UTC)[Why is Connor looking at Hank like that!! He’s weak. Weak! The closest anyone’s got to smiling at Hank in the past week has been Sumo when he gives him his favorite jerky.]
Soda. Got it. [Root beer?! Root beer is good! Hank grabs some peanut butter M&M’s, too. Might as well be self-indulgent.] I’ll be in after the popcorn’s done, yeah? Don’t, uh — go too far.
[As if Hank might lose Connor in the theater that probably isn’t very big.]
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Date: 2025-02-08 06:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-02-09 06:27 am (UTC)I’ll hold you to that.
[Maybe Connor will be gone once Hank gets into the viewing area. He wouldn’t blame him, exactly — weird old guy giving mixed signals! — but...
Hank hopes he keeps that promise. With popcorn, soda, and chocolate in hand, he heads into the theater. It’s not so dark yet with the stupid little pre-movie ads playing on the screen, and Hank’s vision isn’t that bad.
He’s a little surprised to see Connor. A little happy, too: Hank avoids most people, spends long hours driving, but for now he can just pretend that he’s anything else. A man who hangs out with strangers at truck stops on the regular.]
Here’s your soda. [Hope you like root beer, Connor!! Hank hands him the cup before awkwardly shuffling past to sit beside him. Tub of popcorn in hand.]
Do you wanna hold the popcorn, or should I...?
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Date: 2025-02-09 04:35 pm (UTC)He does indeed like root beer and accepts it with an even wider smile. He sets the cup into the cup holder and then looks over at the popcorn. What Connor wants most is to hold Hank’s hand through the movie, but how best to handle the popcorn so they can both eat it.I can hold it.
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Date: 2025-02-11 01:09 am (UTC)All right. I’m trusting you, then. [Handing the tub of popcorn to Connor, now.] Don’t go and eat it all.
[This is a stupid joke, and Hank doesn’t know why he says it. Eat the popcorn, Connor! Eat it all!! Hank will just go get more; will make him feel useful.
The lights of the theater dim as the last of the weird ads roll, and Hank sneaks a peek over at Connor. It was going to be weird, regardless of whoever ended up with the popcorn. But now it’s Hank who has to feel all awkward as he dives his hand in for some popcorn.
He doesn’t particularly like popcorn, but it’s a movie food. And it gets him chewing on something, rather than letting him stew with his thoughts of: “what the fuck am I doing here?”]
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Date: 2025-02-11 01:14 am (UTC)The opening credits roll and Connor peeks over at Hank, taking in his profile and quietly adoring it. He doesn't mind Hank's age at all. In fact, he finds Hank quite charming and is curious as to what will happen next.
And what's happening next is Connor setting his hand, face up, on the arm rest between them. Will Hank take it?]
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Date: 2025-02-11 01:23 am (UTC)[Oh, Jesus. That little wink.
And his hand. The fuck is he doing with his hand? Hank is much more interested in that than the movie. Who just rests their hand like that?
He leans toward Connor to whisper in his ear, less because he cares about being rude and more just using the movie as an excuse:]
Connor.
[He should have just ignored Connor’s hand. Should have just watched the damn movie!!]
What’re you...?
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Date: 2025-02-11 01:38 am (UTC)It's there for your hand, if you want.
[Y'know, just a little cute hand holding if Hank is up for it.]
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Date: 2025-02-11 01:47 am (UTC)[It’s just there. For his hand.
Hank is squinting at the movie screen, trying to wrap his head around the logic of it all: Connor, not the movie. He understands what Connor is aiming for here — with the hand thing, at least — but what he doesn’t understand is why.
It’s hard to just let himself go and embrace the evening’s whimsy. Sure, a cute, much younger guy is... being flirty. It’s just that — not as if they’ll see each other again after this.
Hank sighs: because he’s tired of fighting with himself. It’s one night.]
I do want, yeah. [He says this in a whisper — something he didn’t have to bother vocalizing, seeing as how he reaches for Connor’s hand. Awkwardly laying his palm flat atop Connor’s, just feeling him — because, really, how is this real? — before he’s curling his fingers between his.]
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Date: 2025-02-11 02:01 am (UTC)Is this alright?
[He does want to make sure that he's not making Hank uncomfortable.]
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Date: 2025-02-11 02:09 am (UTC)It’s... fine.
[More than fine, really, once Hank let himself take the leap. Even if it’s just Connor doing his good deed for the day, being nice to the grumpy old man at the truck stop, and —
No. He’s gotta stop thinking like that. Doesn’t matter if it’s true. Hank just needs to stop thinking.
So he does, and instead, he brushes his thumb against Connor’s hand. Softly; back and forth. And Hank is watching the movie now, sort of — mostly gawking because what the fuck is with these sharks?? — but holding Connor’s hand is better. More enjoyable.]
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Date: 2025-02-11 02:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-02-11 02:50 am (UTC)[Why is Connor being so...! Cute! Affectionate!!
Hank isn’t complaining. He is quiet. Still wondering what he’s gotten himself into when he again has to shut off that train of thought. Nope. Hand holding only in this head, now. And sharks, kind of. But mostly the warmth of Connor’s hand, the softness; the strangeness of feeling someone against Hank’s hand like this.
He thinks, too, about how Connor’s leaning on him now. And he tells himself that it doesn’t mean anything, again, but it feels... nice. Warm. Like something Hank has needed for years and years and yet hasn’t found again, after he lost Cole. Hasn’t let himself look for.
Comfort. From another person. It’s weird.
Hank turns ever so slightly toward Connor, lips brushing his hair before he turns back in a rush. He didn’t mean to do that — but what did he mean, then?
It’s Hank: the one making this excruciatingly weird. He sucks in a deep breath, letting it out slowly.]
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Date: 2025-02-13 01:35 pm (UTC)Is everything alright, Hank?
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Date: 2025-02-14 02:34 am (UTC)[A muffled:] Fine.
[He’s almost surprised Connor hasn’t marched out of here by now. Hank hasn’t done anything like this in years, and part of him is still awaiting that dreadful “sike!”]
It’s good. [Being with Connor, he means. Touching another person.
He tries to maneuver his free hand over to the popcorn — neither wanting to let go of Connor’s hand nor get said hand all greasy — and as he does so, Hank knocks a bit of popcorn in Connor’s lap.
Oops.]
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Date: 2025-02-14 03:16 am (UTC)Hungry?
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Date: 2025-02-14 03:35 am (UTC)Uh. Yeah. [Not that popcorn is exactly filling, but Hank’ll take it.] Guess you could say that.
[He reaches for the popcorn. Shoving it into his mouth as he chews slowly.
It’s nice that no one has shushed them… yet. The theater is, understandably, mostly empty. Whether that’s because people aren’t in the mood for a movie, or they aren’t up for “Sharknado,” specifically — who knows.
Whispered incredulously:] The fuck is this movie, Connor?
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Date: 2025-02-14 03:48 am (UTC)It's about sharks that end up in a tornado and then terrorize people.
[He can't help but find it a hilarious choice. There's only one film at a time in these cinemas, he assumes, but they of course got Sharknado.]
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