[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.]

You’re spinning yellow again there.

[Which concerns Hank far less than his quiet. Because his quiet reminds Hank of earlier, back when Connor couldn’t talk.

And it’s not as if that’s happening all over again — no spiders or whatever to hurt him — but Hank can’t help that familiar dread that starts creeping in.]

You, uh, thinking about stuff you might like to do? [He’s gotta reach for something.] There’s... some good people here. I think you’ll like ‘em.

[Hell, even Hank likes some of them. He thinks Connor and Accelerator might get along, but it’d probably be weird, seeing as how Accelerator was friends with Connor’s predecessor. So it’ll probably hurt at first.

But Hank wants to see Connor happy — Accelerator, too — and friends are part of that equation, aren’t they?]

Not designed to clean, either, but you said you would, didn’t you?

[Although cleaning is a far cry from friendship, obviously, but it’s still something that Connor isn’t “programmed” for.]

I don’t have to be a rare case. I can just be... the first, or whatever. Your first friend.

Jesus. [Hank grimaces.] So am I just an exception, then? An exception to whatever rule you’re programmed to follow?

[Not that what Connor said is true, but if he’s insistent on androids and humans not being friends, then what does he think they are?

Deep down, how is Hank any different?]

I’m not gonna push you. You do what you gotta do. But only having me for a friend is...

[Sad. Because there’s so much Hank can’t offer Connor. So much he doesn’t know. So much he can’t do.

And Connor deserves so much more.

He still hasn’t told him about the whole thing he has going with Vincent, and he doesn’t plan to. Because again: Connor deserves so much better than Hank.]

Maybe someday you’ll be more open to the idea. But for now you can just get your bearings, yeah?

Yeah, yeah. I heard you.

[Seventy-eight...? Hank doesn’t want to think about that, no sirree.]

Said you wanted to go see Sumo, yeah? And we can pick up some thirium on the way.

[Or Connor can just enjoy his time with Sumo while Hank stops by the store.

Regardless, Hank leads them away from the godforsaken library. Through the godforsaken tunnel.]

Could stop by Mr. Finch’s library sometime, maybe. [He’s not pressing for the whole friend thing again. Mostly.] He’s got a dog, too.

[Hank looks at Connor once they’re out of the tunnel and in the sunlight. Squinting at him.]

You’re sure you’re really you? [It’s supposed to be a joke, but it lands heavily, even for Hank.]

All right. We can do that. I just... You don’t gotta do everything, Connor. Let me do stuff for you sometimes.

[Hank wants to be able to offer Connor something, since he doesn’t have much. And that’s what friends do, anyway.]

Was less a question — [he says, as they finally arrive at the Kwik Trip, under Wavenport; Etraya appears deceptively large!] — and more me just being... I dunno. Just feel like I’m gonna...

[...wake up, and you’ll be gone.]

Yeah, that sure is fuckin’ you all right.

[Hank is about to pass by Connor in the store before he pauses to touch his shoulder.]

Just saying I’m gonna miss you if — would miss you. If you were gone.

[And he has been missing him this whole time, so goddamn much — all these weeks — but there’s nothing to be gained from saying that.

So, as Hank is heading down an aisle, he turns back to ask:]

They keep thirium cold, you think? Or no?

[Just like with most of Etraya, things seem to appear as people come. Leave as they go. And Connor’s needs should be no exception.]

Well, ain’t that handy. Thanks, Con.

[He grabs a shopping basket before heading toward the back. One of the first times he came here was when Hank was getting some first aid supplies for a guy punching the ground. Just normal Etraya things. Some food for the guy too, because he apparently sucks at feeding himself.

Still feels weird not paying, but it is what it is.

Hank shoves as much thirium as he can in the basket: sure, two units might get Connor all “optimal,“ but they’ll never know when he might need more.

As he returns to the front of the store, Hank sets the thirium on the conveyor.]

Kinda like to pretend, y’know. That shit’s all normal.

[It absolutely is not. But he sweeps around the conveyor, standing where a cashier would, to push the button to make the belt move.]

I got a favor to ask you.

[Packing the thirium back up in the basket again — he’ll return it later, he swears. He holds out one of the thirium packs to Connor, if he might like it now. There’s a bench by the exit.]

I’d like you to teach me more about — [gesturing vaguely toward the thirium Connor holds] — all that.

[Which is about as clear as mud, so:] Android first aid. That sort of thing. How much blood can you lose? The hell does “critical” mean if not a total shutdown? That sort of thing.

Doesn’t gotta necessarily be right now — I’m sure there’s a lot to learn — I just... don’t wanna fail you again. Could’ve really fucked you up if you hadn’t managed to tell me to screw off earlier — with the whole venom thing.

[Hank looks out toward the windows where it’s much brighter than it was in the library of horrors. And yet it’s not exactly comforting.]

Just wanna know how to take care of you, y’know? If something were to happen.

Yeah, well, could’ve got you killed with that whole venom thing. If you were human, I wouldn’t have thought to let you bleed out in my arms, either.

And you’re not replaceable, for fuck’s sake.

[Even if, technically, Connor had been back home. But it’s never been that easy, not for Hank.

And things are different here, anyway. They might come back when they die, but they’ll lose something. Maybe something important.

Something irreplaceable.]

I can look away if you want. Your choice whether I ogle you as you do your thing. [Hank’s brow furrows.] But I’d like to see. Maybe it’ll help if I ever need to... y’know. Not used to all this, but I should get there. Said I wanted to be able to help if you needed it, didn’t I?