vesanalia | 001: An android and a giant dog walk into a pet store

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001: An android and a giant dog walk into a pet store

WHO: Connor | Open to all with one closed prompt
WHAT: Connor finds Hank’s Saint Bernard, Sumo, and decides to do a little shopping
WHEN: 22nd March
WHERE: Carlyle
WARNINGS & NOTES: None yet

Out with Sumo

[Connor is wandering aimlessly, just searching the town when he comes across the dog. 170 pounds of Saint Bernard, Sumo is cowering and whimpering like the brave beast he is. He’s outside a woman’s house, with the woman inside on the phone to someone whilst giving Sumo concerned looks out of her front window.

Last time Connor met Sumo, he’d admittedly been intimidated. He’d never met a dog before, and Sumo was trying to protect his owner. This time he still approaches cautiously, with a slightly nervous smile, but upon seeing someone he finally recognised the dog bounds over to him, barking. He can smell Hank on Connor’s clothes, and his tail wags furiously.]

...Alright, boy. Easy. What are you doing out here alone?

[Scratch that, what is he doing here? Well... time to get Sumo away from the house, because that lady is under the impression Sumo is Connor’s dog, and that he abandoned him for a while. He can hear her irritated conversation with her friend on the phone.]

Come on. Let’s get you back to Hank. We’re going to need food, though...

[And that’s how Connor ends up at a local pet store with a shopping cart full of dog food, a dog basket, some chew toys and various treats, Sumo trotting along by his side. Whether he’s approached because of the dog or because he’s recognised, he’ll be as friendly as always.]

Hello. Are you looking at the animals?

[He can also be caught on the way home, with that same shopping cart because lord knows he’s not carrying all of that stuff back home.]

For Hank

[Everything is set up, and now Connor waits for Hank to get home. The dog supplies are hidden, as is the dog for now, until Hank comes through the door.]

Hank.

[Connor gets up from the couch with a smile, but before he can say anything else Sumo comes running out of the bathroom where he’d been stashed with a giant chew toy to keep him happy. He practically bowls Hank over, and Connor just sighs.]

Sumo, I thought we discussed this. You were going to be a surprise.

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[Hank had just gotten done talking with the producers over some recent developments, and in his mind has been going through all the shitty ways to tell Connor the irritating news. "Yeah, we can be friends on camera but nothing more in front of people." They need at least one 'straight guy' to make the sell. Great. He'll do one season of this shit and then figure out how to get a real job; that's already made up in his mind.]

[These thoughts are immediately washed from his brain when a very familiar St. Bernard comes galloping around the bed from the bathroom, huge toy in mouth and tail wagging furiously. He's willingly bowled over, pressed back against the door and slides down to the floor with the lovey dog. And Sumo's made even more excited by the fact that this is the happiest homecoming he's gotten in a while. In the depths of his depression, it was difficult to muster up this kind of joy when he got home to an otherwise empty house.]

[Now he's where, comparatively, even with unfortunate news he's in a good mood and he wraps his arms around the giant dog and lets himself get licked.]

What the hell is he doing here? [He's grinning through the happy attention.]

[Connor stands over them, watching the scene with a smile.]

I found him cowering in the street not far from here. We've already bought the essentials. I scanned the pet store for the best food for him, taking into account his age and lifestyle. He picked out his own bed.

[He goes into the bathroom and drags out the bed, setting it up by the foot of their own bed. It looks like it was expensive, but Connor couldn't say no to those eyes.]

Really? That's fuckin' wierd. [But Hank's still smiling, an actual toothy grin as he scruffs his ears.]

So Connor changed your food around, huh? You're gonna fart and kill us, aren't you good boy? Of course you are.

[He nose boops that cold wet nose and gets licked for it. Sumo's tail beats on the floor with a force hard enough to bruise.]

Well, they didn’t have the food here that he has at home.

[They’re twenty years in the past, after all.]

So I suppose we’re condemned to that particular problem anyway.

[He reaches out to pet Sumo as well, obviously still a little stiff in how he does it but Sumo seems to enjoy it anyway.]

I'm a little impressed that you looked around my house enough to figure out what sort of food I bought for Sumo.

[He sees the particularly strange way that Connor attempts to use in petting Sumo, and he reaches over to take his hand.] Here, scratch right here under his ear. He really likes that. If he flops over he wants his chest rubbed.

[Good thing they've got a job, right? Part of him is also irritated, knowing what he does now, that they really do have to stick with it. It's a minor one in the face of having this here with him, less to worry about.]

Hey, the producers told me some shit. But let's just enjoy Sumo right now, huh?

The bag of food was split on your kitchen floor. I was curious enough to scan it, at least.

[He does as Hank instructs, and the dog flops over just as Hank said he might. Connor rubs his chest and belly, smiling slightly even if he's still not sure he's doing it right.]

What did they tell you?

[It doesn't seem like it's particularly good news.]

They said that it was more marketable if they had me as 'the straight tough guy', so we needed to keep whatever we do to ourselves. Fuckin'... 2019. I forgot how much of a shithole my youth could be.

[He doesn't remember because he was never trying to hook up with a guy back then, he was trying to be a straight tough guy.]

[Sumo seems to think Connor's doing fine, what with his tongue rolling out the side of his mouth.]

It gives us money. As soon as this season is over we won't renew a contract. We'll fuck off and do something else. [And maybe try to figure out what's causing this? Honestly that feels hopelessly out of their league.]

Oh.

[Connor frowns, still rubbing Sumo's belly.]

I wonder what they see me as.

[Not that it really matters too much, but he is curious.]

It's going to be difficult to hide this, isn't it?

[Because Connor sees the way Hank looks at him, and he's sure he gives him similar looks. People are going to find out sooner or later.]

I don't know. I've never had to hide anything like this. I'm in another goddamn dimension, that's weird enough.

[Hank pulls Connor over, so he's sort of holding his good dog and has his arm around his partner while he tries out this whole 'how to properly pet a monster beast' thing.]

Think we would have had to hide it back home?

[He's never even considered that before.]

[Connor lets himself be pulled closer, leaning into Hank slightly while he pets the dog.]

Possibly. If I could hide what I am, maybe not.

[Because the main problem would be that Connor is an android, not that he's a man.]

Relationships between humans and androids were on the rise, but... that was before.

[Before the androids rose up and demanded rights. Now, a lot of humans are wary. Though honestly, a lot of those humans already treated androids like walking garbage.]

I wouldn't want people to judge you for being with me, either.

Fuck that, what do I have to lose? I got more to lose if I didn't own up to it. Honestly they could come right at me. I'd kiss you in the street if you wanted it.

Just... uh... right now a job depends on it and that shit pisses me off.

[He leans his head back against the door. Great.]

Well, at least I know Sumo is alright. We'll get out of this stupid contract soon enough. [Popularity in this particular time is fickle.]

[He can't help the smile at Hank's words. To know he feels so passionately about being with him is flattering. It makes him feel wanted, despite his quiet concerns about Hank maybe finding an actual human to be with one day. Connor can do anything he puts his mind to, but he can't change what he is.]

It's not forever. We can pretend we're just friends for the camera.

[He presses a kiss to Hank's cheek.]

But here, they can't tell us what to do.

[Hank grumbles and scruffs the side of Sumo's jowels as he lays there, bathing in all the attention he's receiving. Not just because he's happy to see Hank after a scary morning, but he's happy to see him being so friendly after so long.]

You had a look at our contract. [And with an android, he can probably take in everything with just a look.] They can probably sue us if we break it, right?

[Which would suck because if they went to jail, they have no rights beyond these temporary visas the feds are giving them.]

Yes, they can.

[He won't go into the technicalities of how and why, Hank just needs to know that yes, they can absolutely sue them.]

We'll be fine, Hank.

[Connor leans against him, trying to soothe him.]

It's only when we're in public.

I guess that's the point of it. Gotta sell a fake personality. Gotta keep yourself marketable. Which means the tough guys gotta have someone to identify with. Can't have one that likes whiskey, throws punches, and sticks his dick in his twink partner.

Sumo this is the worst time for that.

[But on that line about twinks, Hank's getting the very tip of his nose licked by a massive dog.]

[So he's not really mad. Between both attentions he's that smooth level of lesser Hank cynical.]

[Anything Connor was going to say is thrown off by the term "twink".]

A twink?

[He pats Sumo as he licks Hank's nose though, slightly amused despite the news.]

I really don't understand why having a relationship with another man makes you less of a tough guy, though. You're the toughest man I know.

[Though admittedly, he doesn't know a lot of people.]

Eh... slang term for someone with your build. Usually associated with gay people. Blahdyblah blah.

[He makes a gesture, because bothering to explain is a far stretch from the "nevermind" that Connor used to get.]

Back in this time they had less tough guy TV characters that dated men, and it showed. And usually the ones with the deepest pockets would throw in with a womanizing gruff man over one that was dating a guy.... Don't worry, not gonna do that. Wouldn't have even done that if we didn't... you know.

[Sumo does his level best to lay on them both, happy to just be inside and with his people.]

Oh.

[Well, okay. Connor continues to pet Sumo, deciding that wondering about his sexuality right now is pointless. He's with Hank now, and he intends to only focus on him. With that thought in mind, he turns his head to nuzzle Hank's cheek lightly.]

I know that you'd rather be open about this, but... you're still happy, right? With me?

Yeah. Yeah I'm fine.

[He promises.] I mean, I probably look too old for you. But the benefit of me being older is that I have less to prove and less fucks to give than I did when I was in my thirties.

[He loosely hugs him around his shoulders, before pausing, and really mulling over that statement.]

Wait, do you mean because you're an android?

[He nods, with an uncharacteristic sort of insecurity about him.]

I have no experience with being someone's lover. I have no experience with a lot of things, actually. And... I remember what you said back at the Eden Club. About humans and androids.

[About how humans would rather buy a piece of plastic than to love another human being nowadays. He knows Hank doesn't think of him as just plastic, but the idea behind the statement stuck.]

I know your views on androids have changed since then, but... I'll still never be human, Hank.

[What if Hank realises one day that an android just isn't enough?]

Right.

[And he really had believed that, until he saw those two girls holding hands, terrified that they would lose each other. He watched as Connor made the choice to let them go, too, a decision based on real compassion. Even if he was still a machine, love in someone else was something he could, on some basic level, recognize.]

That was when I thought you were just glorified sex toys people bought to act their fantasies out on. Rather than act like decent fucking humans.

You know, it's me saying this. And to my wife? I couldn't do anything right. But the point was, I tried. At the time, it just felt like humans were buying androids so they wouldn't have to try to make it work. They could program it into them.

I know better now. And honestly, which one of us is the better looking and more talented and could do a hell of a lot better. You have all the cards.

You say that as if you're not handsome and talented, too.

[He links his arm through Hank's, resting his head on his shoulder.]

Don't compare yourself to me. I was purposefully built this way. It's not natural talent. Yours is.

[And Connor thinks himself lucky to have Hank on his arm right now.]

I just hope that I can live up to your expectations in this relationship.

[It's a little intimidating to be with someone who has years of experience under his belt, when Connor is barely four months old.]

I used to be. [He has at least enough confidence to say that his depression had scraped away at that.]

Mine is skill. Yours is talent. You gotta hone skills, over time. You were born with what you can do. And even then? I don't hold a candle to you. You always impress me out there.

[He can't really stop petting Sumo or else he risks sad eyes.]

I don't have any expectations at the moment. If they come to mind? I'll talk to you about 'em. Sound fair?

You are now, too.

[Connor is fond of how Hank looks, and sees nothing wrong with him. Sure, for health reasons he could maybe stand to lose a little weight, but he looks just fine.]

In any case, I’m glad you think so highly of me. And yes, that sounds fair.

[Sumo huffs because Connor isn’t petting him, so he moves his hand back to rub at his fur.]

[Hank is flattered by the sentiment. He realizes that, while Connor definitely seemed to pander in the beginning, that by now everything he says is genuine. (He liked him enough to fucking flirt with him, that should be convincing enough.)]

Alright, I guess I have one expectation. My wife sorta... she just gave up on me. Even before what happened with Cole. She just decided it wasn't worth working on.

Don't give up on me.

I'll never give up on you, Hank.

[He gives him a small smile.]

I didn't give up on you when you were trying to push me away in the beginning, did I? I most certainly won't give up on you now.

No. I guess you didn't, did you?

[He guesses he should get up out of the floor. But at the moment he doesn't particularly want to. He's got the two best things in the world close to him.]

I wasn't even that bad then. I don't know what I did wrong. I still don't.

[It had been a complicated situation. Hank may have experience, but much of that experience was spent being baffled.]

I'm not sure, either.

[He takes Hank's hand, and looks at him earnestly.]

But I'm not your wife. Please remember that. You aren't doing anything wrong now.

Yeah, well... You aren't either.

[The only thing he could be doing wrong is being an android, and Hank's already gotten the hell over that. It took a bit. But he did.]

I get onto you for being bitchy but honestly, and this is the only time I'll say it, it's one of the things I like about you.

[Connor's eyebrows raise slightly.]

I'll remember that.

[And then-]

Wait, you think I'm bitchy?

[He's not hurt, just mildly amused. Especially since Hank seems to like it.]

Yeah. [Says someone who is perhaps a top tier among bitchy men. Complete with the myriad of stickers to prove it.]

But it means you have high standards and I can respect that.

[Hank's high standards are, ironically, set to a much lower bar. They're quite easy to leap over. Though not so much when it comes to significant others.]

Well, I'm glad you approve.

[He gives Hank a bright smile.]

I'll be sure to complain more often.

[He can't help the tease.]

I'll be sure to ignore it just as often.

[He knows, though, that many of his complaints are meant to help him. That warms him a little. Knowing that Connor cares enough to want his life to be better. And he really, really wants the same for Connor. More than anything when he'd pulled him to him and held him in front of that food cart that day, surrounded by snow and the faint noises of a city devoid of human life other than him, is that he didn't want Connor in some half-open apartment filled with refuse and rot.]

[He wanted him to go live a good life. As neat as he deserved.]

Alright. Well... I guess we need to get the dog situated until we find a place to take us permanently. Hopefully not full of fuckin' bugs.

[Because he's been very suspicious of what's been going on.]

Oh, hi. Connor, right? [Scott is standing in the unfortunately-small aisle that stocks products for both reptiles and insects/arachnids. His shopping basket isn't empty, but he's not having much luck finding what he needs. Not to establish ant colonies at least, and Connor will probably recognize some of those insects nestled under the collar of his flannel shirt, or the ant training device in his ear.] Not really, though they're pretty cool.

[He extends a fist for Sumo to sniff at, looking up at Connor to confirm it's okay.] Your dog's really cute, what's his name?

[Connor does note the ants under Scott's collar, and tilts his head slightly at the training device, scanning it curiously.]

His name is Sumo. He isn't really my dog, he's my partner's. I just found him wandering the streets alone here.

Shit, I'm glad he has you, then.

Hey Sumo. You've got a cool name, buddy. Are we friends? [He lets Sumo smell his hand and offers an earscritch as a display of goodwill. The dog seems to appreciate it and Scott smiles, giving him all the pats.] Looks like you got a good boy here.

He is a good boy, yes.

[Connor awkwardly points to the ants under Scott's collar.]

You have ants on your clothes, by the way.

[Scott is lucky Connor isn't immediately moving to brush them off.]

Yes he is. He sure is, isn't he? [Sumo leans his head into the earscritches and gives Scott's hands a grateful slurp.]

Oh -- uh, I guess they aren't hurting anything. Thanks?

[Connor seems a little confused, but keeps his hands away from the ants.]

I wonder how they got there.

[Maybe Scott was lying in the grass or something and laid on a nest?]

Well, I guess it doesn't matter. As long as they aren't bothering you. I take it you're fond of insects?

[He wishes. Scott pulls back a bit, protecting the tiny insects on his shirt and sadly parting ways with the dog.]

I guess so. They're kind of cool, don't you think?

I suppose so. I don't dislike them, but I've never really paid much attention to them.

[He leans in very slightly to get a better look at one of the ants.]

I wonder what they think about.

[Maybe that it's cosy underneath Scott's collar?]

A lot of people don't. [Connor did automatically, though, and that meant he was either cool, weird, or a mixture of the two. Scott could roll with it and concentrates, sending the ant Connor's focusing on his shoulder while the others tuck away out of sight.]

Not sure. I think they mostly smell things? [It's definitely cozy underneath the collar.]

What else do they do?

[Besides smell things? Scott seems to know more about them than Connor at least, and Connor is a curious man.]

Ant things, I guess. Wander around, eat things, build colonies... [He racked his brain for details about ants the average person might know.] Cut leaves? [None of these were leafcutters, they were carpenter ants, but how many people would know that?]

[ 'Low profile' has been the name of the game ever since her... not-too-subtle arrival. What with the photos still floating around of her on the internet, it hasn't been the easiest. Especially since this world wasn't really well set up for a (seemingly) fifteen-year-old to survive on their own. ~~Light, she missed the others. She missed them so much.~~

Yet even at their most nervous and cautious, there was something to tempt out almost everyone. And in Xion's case, it had four paws and a tail.

So, at some point on Connor's way home she slips out from behind a corner, eyes alight with... something between excitement and anxiety, probably. And leaning forward to get a better look at Sumo. ]

Hey. [ She raises a hand in a slight wave ] I-is that your dog?

[Connor raises his eyebrows as Xion comes into view, and Sumo wags his tail to see her.]

Oh, this is my partner's dog. His name is Sumo.

[Connor looks down at the dog, then glances over at Xion again.]

You can pet him, if you'd like.

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001: An android and a giant dog walk into a pet store

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Out With Sumo

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doggo

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