I know, Con. I’m not mad. I’m just... scared, too.

[Hank pets the back of Connor’s head before pulling away, offering him a shaky smile.]

We need to bandage up your back, or anything? If it’s gonna take a few hours to patch itself up.

All right.

[Hank eyes Connor a little warily. Not that he doesn’t trust him to tell the truth about all this; something just feels... off.

Although Hank could have lost Connor just then, even momentarily, so it makes sense he’s still feeling jittery.]

We’re gonna have to figure out where to get that blue blood of yours. [Yet another thing Hank never asked Connor’s predecessor — because he never thought he’d have to.]

Don’t think we got one of those here, Con. But we’ll figure it out.

[Is that what Connor’s worried about?? Because Hank’s worried about it.

But he’s worried about a lot of things in relation to Connor.]

That venom still... gettin’ to you?

Connor...

[Hank sighs. Wishes he could help, but what the hell could he do that Connor can’t?]

Don’t push ‘em away. Let yourself feel. I’m sure it’s a whole process, and everything. But just try.

[He knows it contradicts so much of what Connor remembers, but:]

Would it be such a bad thing? Deviating?

I told you — nobody’s gonna terminate you here. And if anybody tried, if anybody ever had a fucked up thought like that, I wouldn’t let them. Okay?

[Hank squeezes Connor’s shoulder again because... fuck. What else is he supposed to do?]

I know I really messed up back there, letting you go into the Spider room, of all places. And you got hurt. But that’s not... I’m never gonna just leave you to die, Connor.

[And he doesn’t want to tell Connor about the whole “hey, you can’t actually die here, sort of” thing, because Hank worries that he might end up putting himself in more danger because of it.

But somebody will tell him eventually, and it might as well be Hank.]

Listen. I’m not telling you to deviate.

[Hank wants Connor to find that in his own time — even if Connor spacing out does unsettle him.

Is he getting closer? Farther?]

But if you’re not gonna be terminated, which you aren’t — [Hank emphasizes this with another soft squeeze of Connor’s shoulder] — then...?

What are you so afraid of?

Yeah. Yeah, of course I would.

[Not that it really matters what Hank “considers.” Because Connor’s just alive, plain and simple. He feels things. Wants things.]

You were saying earlier you wanted to be family. And I know you’re hung up on the whole “wanting” thing, but family too — if you weren’t alive, would that even be...?

You’ve got your mission and everything, sure. But family's special. Real special. And I think you know that.

If you think I’m ever gonna agree with that now, then... guess you just gotta be disappointed.

But listen to me, Connor. Connor.

[Both hands on his shoulders now.

Hank can’t help but feel like he’s losing him.]

You are alive. You’re alive to me. And I don’t know what I gotta do to prove that to you. Or — [a small, sad smile curls on Hank’s lips] — you think I’m just stupid? To think that?

Was just asking if you thought I was stupid.

[Which obviously isn’t an important question at all. Hank just wanted to push him a little.

Although he should be patient. He knows that.

But the sooner Connor accepts that he’s alive...]

The hell is going on with you? Your systems going all haywire from blood loss?

Sure thing. Sounds like a good idea after — well, y’know.

[Setting fire to the Spider room, and all that.

Hank’s not sure if to mention Connor said “like” again.

And he’s not sure how to feel about that look on Connor’s face, either. He’s worried, but that’s sort of his default now.

Still, Hank rises. Offering his hand to Connor without really thinking.]

Let's get the fuck outta Dodge.

Sure thing. I said anytime, didn’t I?

[They just need to go back out through the tunnel. Leave this godforsaken library of horrors behind them.]

Anything else you want on the way home?

[Hank’s fishing a little. Sue him.]

[Hank almost smiles back, but hearing “critical” stops him.]

Probably the general store — on the way home. Sort of.

[It’s a bit of a detour, but Etraya isn’t that big. Just looks like it, feels like it — especially when Aurora does her weird summoning thing. Just bringing out a library to fuck with everyone.]

No purchase necessary. We just take whatever the fuck we need. Could just lay at home all day, if you wanted.

[Which is exactly how Hank spent a not-insignificant amount of time when he first got here.

But regardless, Hank starts walking. Hands tucked in his pockets.]