sweethymns | ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴀʟʟ

[He takes the outfit, curiously looking it over. Connor wonders how it’ll look on him, and he raises his eyes to Ai.]

All right. Let me change and then I can let you be the judge of how I look.

[With that, Connor disappears into the nearby bathroom to change. It’s only minutes later when he returns, decked out in his new clothes.]

How do I look? You can answer while I show you where you’ll be staying — likely in my room, and I’ll stay on the couch overnight for now.

Your room? If that's okay with you and— [She turns around to look at him and her eyes light up.]

Ah! You look great! [If sparkles could physically manifest, Connor would see them hovering over her. She'll follow him while he shows her to the room, but she'll gush a bit, don't mind her.]

Tall people always look good in anything! I'm kind of jealous.

I think you look good in everything I’ve seen you wear so far. Height maybe isn’t as important as you think. But... thank you for the compliment.

[Anyway, down the hall they go — Connor’s room is just a small, converted guest room, but it’s very neat. Very spartan, though, as one might expect from an android still learning how to manifest his humanity.]

Will this be all right? I know it isn’t very big. But there’s desk space, too, if you need it; and a small walk-in closet. And the bed is a decent size.

... Thank you too.

[There's a flutter of pleasure when Connor compliments her like that. She stores it away in her treasure trove of memories that have been growing lately.

Luggage is pushed into the room and she nods in approval at her temporary sleeping space.]

This will be fine. More than fine even.

[Gurgle. Oops, stomach why must you betray her at times like these.]

... Um, I didn't want to assume anything, so I already have snacks for myself...

[There’s that telltale gurgle; he thought he’d hear it eventually.]

I wouldn’t be a very good host if I didn’t offer to feed you.

[Even Connor knows better than that.]

We can find something in the kitchen for you to eat.

... I have an idea!

Connor, would you like to cook with me? We can make enough for Hank so he has something to eat when he gets home too.

[Headtilt.]

Yes. I'll help you. I think Hank would like that, too, and we have enough for a simple breakfast.

[It's more brunch time than anything else, but the idea is still the same.]

The kitchen is this way, when you're done.

[Whenever everything is settled, he will show her to the kitchen! There's only a little bit of a mess there right now; it definitely has the atmosphere of a man living in this house, using this kitchen, but Connor at least makes an attempt to keep things organized when he has the chance.]

[As they move into the kitchen, Ai undoes her single braid and is tying it up into a ponytail as she surveys the area.]

This is definitely a man's kitchen... [She lets out a low whistle and then nods with determination. Even as the most powerful psychic in her community, she was also good at domestic work especially when it came to making meals for more than one person.]

I think I can work with this though! Let's see...

[Ai clears up the area near the stove so that there can be room to prep. Next is to see what her supplies are. She notes the bagels on the counter which are just a little stale but can be fixed with toasting and being made into breakfast sandwiches.

She opens up the fridge and begins taking out items, handing them to Connor so he can put them on the table.]

Eggs, bacon, butter... Oh, some cheese! We can have bagel breakfast sandwiches. That's a good and hearty breakfast anyone can like, especially for an older man.

Pancake batter... Perfect! I'm more keen on waffles but these will do perfectly. Even some leftover blueberries. Better use these up then before they go bad.

[Ai has such concentration when it comes to food, it's kind of funny and endearing.]

Orange juice... Connor, could you start up some coffee? And then you can take the eggs and crack them in a bowl?

[If Connor didn’t already know how important food was to Ai, he’d be surprised at her dedication to the creation of this nice brunch. But he’s not (it is endearing, though), expecting her to take the lead — and she does. Connor nods at her instructions, placing the ingredients where they could be easily accessed, and then moves over to the coffee maker. It’s a well-used looking thing, obviously relied upon by Hank throughout the years. Soon, the sound of percolation and the scent of fresh coffee wafts through the kitchen.]

I bet you have a variety of recipes memorized, don’t you?

[An idle question as he goes to crack the eggs. He does it quickly, efficiently, without even getting his fingers stained with the smallest drop. In the bowl they go, and the shells go into the trash with relative ease, too.]

[She's split, buttered, and putting slices of halved bagels into the toaster while putting strips of bacon into the toaster oven and starts heating up a pan for the pancakes as she replies to Connor.]

Sort of! When it comes to memory, Lien is second to none. I tend to cook by... Feel? If that makes sense. I'd cook more Vietnamese food, but it's labor-intensive and those recipes are meant for big groups.

[The batter is finished in no time after the blueberries are incorporated into it.]

I hope Hank doesn't mind. I wonder when's the last time he had someone cook for him? You don't cook much do you Connor?

[He's going to assume the next step is to beat the eggs, unless Ai tells him otherwise. And so he goes to do just that, doing it with astounding efficiency. These eggs don't stand a chance.]

Hank isn't the sort to mind a well-prepared meal. And I don't really cook, no. [He makes the coffee in the morning! He can toast bread and prepare scrambled eggs. But as for the rest-]

Usually we go out and find something to eat.

[Well, he says 'we', but he means Hank. Connor obviously doesn't require food, he's just there to follow the other man around.]

This should be a nice surprise for him then! And after going home from a crime scene, it'll be a nice refresher.

[The pancakes are being stacked up. They can be reheated in the microwave if they cool down before Hank arrives, which is nice and convenient. Speaking of all this cooking though, it gives Ai an idea.]

Would you like me to teach you some simple things to cook? I don't know if it'll be in conflict with what you're usually meant to do, but maybe if it's not that complicated to arrange, you'll be able to make sure Hank eats better.

[Ah— that’s an offer that’s hard to refuse. Learning how to cook would make him more well-rounded, and also give him something to do when he isn’t able to act as consultant or brought in to investigate a crime scene. And if it helped with Hank eating better? How could he turn down not aiding his friend?]

I’d like that. It shouldn’t conflict with anything; I’m not always able to aid Hank with his work, not until all the, ah, “red tape” has been dealt with regarding my previous experience with the DPD.

[They both kind of… stirred things up. And Connor’s own hand in the android’s bid for civil rights further complicated matters, to say the least.]

Needless to say, I have plenty of time on my hands these days. If you’d like to teach me, I’m not going to decline.

Good! It's another thing for us to do together.

[Together. What a nice word that rings in her heart so nicely.

The smell of breakfast food wafts throughout the kitchen and Ai makes sure to open up a window so that the house is ventilated.]

I think in your case, I'll make sure to provide recipes for precise amounts since the taste factor might hinder you a little.

[For Ai, who can cook instinctively by taste and estimating amounts, it probably wouldn't apply to an android who is not designated as domestic.]

That means you'll need an apron too.

[Connor's closet is growing in so many ways...]

An apron?

[He tries to imagine himself wearing an apron. It doesn't need to be said that he never has before, and that there isn't anything like it to be found in this house.]

Hank will laugh at me for that.

He shouldn't be laughing if you're going to be making food.

[Ai shakes the spatula at him.]

It's not going to be anything ridiculous Connor. It'll be plain, but functional!

Besides, I think you'd look good in one.

[She looks very certain about it.]

[He blinks at the spatula being waved his way, and accedes the point.]

Well. If you think it’s necessary, then I’ll wear one.

[He’s pretty certain that Hank will still laugh. Just a gut feeling.]

Is there something flattering about me wearing an apron, though? It’s not as if it’s a traditional item worn for fashion.

Maybe it's just me because I can't speak for others, but... The image of a man in an apron...?

[She leans one cheek into a palm looking rather dreamily into the air.]

It gives the image of a very dependable man. And that's... Attractive!

[Normally, Ai wouldn't be this open about what she likes so blatantly but talking with Connor makes it easy. It's not like with Lien who immediately finds an opening to make a jab to embarrass her.]

[He quirks a brow, though Connor is making a mental note of that. Explained in that way, it’s not an unusual way of thinking — often partners wanted their significant other to be someone reliable, someone who could be depended upon. It makes sense that wearing an item that illustrated this part of one’s character would appear attractive in someone’s eyes.

Not that this alone should be a compelling reason to agree. And yet he can’t help but allow it to be a small motivator in a sea of reason and logic.]

Then I’ll wear one. If you think you’d like it.

Er...!

[Ai snaps out of her reverie realizing that she was making unintentional implications again.]

I mean, it's also to make sure your clothes don't get dirty too so...!

[Guh, he said he would already wear it because she liked it. The psychic adjusts her ponytail shyly and pays attention to her pancakes bubbling away in the pan.]

It'll be good. Either way.

[He can tell she's getting embarrassed again. And while that wasn't his purpose, he feels like this is a slightly more lighthearted, innocent situation; he can afford to be a little teasing, and truthful, in return.]

You can admit to it, Ai. I won't be offended, or get the wrong idea.

[He'll finish up his current task with ease. Things are coming along nicely.]

The whole point of you dressing me more fashionably is for me to appear more attractive to others, right?

That and for you to choose how you look!

[Bacon is done and now that the eggs are beaten, Ai gets started with scrambled eggs for the sandwiches.]

I've mentioned it before but you kind of look good in almost anything.

That's nice of you. I was designed to be... pleasant on the eyes, at least. Easier to interact with humans that way, since my original purpose relied heavily upon that.

[He takes the compliment and turns it into something... appreciative yet logical. Such is the way of Connor.]

But I could say the same for you too, regarding looking good in everything I've seen you wear so far.

[She can feel her cheeks growing warm and the tips of her ears turning pink when he delivers the compliment again and she has to try and make sure she's not stirring the eggs in the pan too harshly.]

Um. I mean, I try.

[That's all she can reply with, dammit.]

Do you think you have an estimate on how long Hank will take to get home?

[yeah talk about not!dad instead]

[A compliment for a compliment. It only seems right.]

I think that depends on exactly what he left for. It could be any minute now-

[And as if on cue, there’s the sound of the front door unlocking. Of Sumo getting up from the living room floor and padding over. And a moment later, Lieutenant Hank Anderson enters his home, welcomed by the fresh scent of coffee and something else smelling like breakfast. A moment or two of rustling can be heard from the living room, before he finally calls out:]

Connor! Smells like coffee and eggs in here. What the hell are you up to?

[Connor gives Ai a knowing look, smiling, and then responds.]

We’re in the kitchen, Hank!

[A beat.] We? Who’s ‘we’—? Sumo’s out here. [More shuffling, the sound of keys being tossed on the coffee table, and Hank appears in the entrance of the kitchen.] Should’ve told me you were going to make more coffee, I wouldn’t have gone out to get some. You would’ve saved me from getting stuck in traffic, too-

[Hank pauses, eyes tracking over to a) the clothes that Connor’s wearing and b) the girl????? in the kitchen???? with him????]

Uh…

[Connor beams at him, stepping forward, hands clasped behind his back.]

Hank, this is Ai. I told you about her, remember?

[Hank practically squints, dubious and unsure if this is some weird joke his not!son has put a stranger up to.] Y…eah. I remember. Your tall tale about world-hopping, right? [He looks at Ai.] Sorry, but... whoever you are, did he put you up to this?

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