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HUB 360
This merry little haunt wasn't familiar to Nick, but the address was correct, for what it was worth. There weren't many buildings with penthouses intact, but Hancock had told him to show up here, so here he was. Honestly, as he came up the stairs, Nick wasn't entirely certain what to expect.
Was it a stash house? No, Hancock and he had a tentative understanding about chems. Nick didn't comment and Hancock didn't do them right in front of him if he could help it. It was about the best the synth could hope for, and a fair improvement on their previous arrangement of: nothing.
Was it a new settlement? Bit of a stretch but Evaris did have ecclectic moods.
Maybe he...Nick came up blank. He didn't have a clue or a chance in hell of divining one, so he shouldn't waste the breath (figurative) trying to hash it out. He just stuffed his hands in his pockets, kept his revolver at the ready in case this locale wasn't secure yet, and trudged up more flights of stairs than he cared to count.
At the top he stepped out of the stairwell and through time. One second he was in the Commonwealth and the next he was standing on fine plush carpet in Boston, MA. This place was an absolute time warp, like walking into a photograph, and Nick was entirely thrown as he let the door behind him close and cautiously wandered in.
No turrets...so that was a start.
Cameras? Didn't spot one, didn't see any mics either but he was sure there were a few. This place had electricity and...was that hum an airconditioner?
"Where the hell am I?"
On GOD If it's not 500 yet it will be >:D
[ Hancock's eyes sink shut and the weight of his head settles more heavily against Nick's shoulder. He sifts through his own mental schematics, beliefs, wants... but without any needy, cloying desperation. Nick doesn't make him feel 'afraid' in that way-- like he's signing up to owe the guy anything he doesn't want to give, or vice versa. ]
Guess it's like this: I don't usually dive into stickin' a label on just havin' fun. Can make folk... twitchy. Expectations and such, and it ain't even strictly necessary. But... I love ya, and I guess it's feelin' like I could put some kinda name to that.
[ He's going to blame the sheer physical exhaustion for the difficulty he's having sticking his words together. He doesn't feel nervous... but he is taking the time to be extremely careful with how he puts his thoughts into words. Without meaning to, while even trying to avoid it, the ghoul has made Emotional Investments. He'll be more worried about that-- later. In the moment, with Nick and warm water and such open unexpectant affections... he just can't worry about the possible inversion of this joy; the ache it would leave if something he took the care to define as important was lost.
High Stakes typically yield High Rewards, though. ]
Also, while we're hashin' this. Lay on me your thoughts about changin' up dance partners, would ya?
[ The ghoul turns his head, languidly nuzzling his face against the side of Nick's neck. A cannibalistic species' inclination to go for the jugular as never been so utterly tender. ]
IT SURE WILL. BD
Still, the idea of them calling each other Partner does actually tickle the synth a bit.
The next question should be one that shocks Nick, given his penchant for pearl clutching, but it doesn't. He knows how casual Hancock likes things and, even if they're at opposite ends of that spectrum, he can respect it. Nick's thoughts on the matter are probably not going to add to the comfort in here, but Hancock asked.]
I'm old fashioned, but it doesn't hurt that next to nobody wants to dance with an antique synth. [Said without general self-deprication, or at least without more than usual. Nick's spent the better part of a century in Diamond City--notable for it's high walls and unfriendly population. Dating wasn't ever high up on his list of priorities.]
So odds are, it'll never come up on my end, but I'd probably ask before diving in headfirst. As for your end, I'm not about to start dictating what you can get up to, that's a losing battle anyhow.
[But there is one caveat that Nick has to express. It takes him a second to formulate the words just right.]
You start uh...catching something serious, though, I'd like to know about it. Figure out how it can all fit together.
*/next week 1000+ tags in like whoops these things do happen LOL
[ Never Tempt The Odds. Hancock knows this, as a gambling man. He's not going to get content with the idea of hogging Nick all to himself forever. Forever is an extremely long time, for a Synth and a Ghoul. Hancock's not going to say he's not selfish-- he is. But that selfishness doesn't extend to controlling Nick's emotions. If someone else could help him feel a little more like a person and a little less like an appliance, than why would Hancock ever want to take that away?
The Synth's suggestion feels like a comfortable fit for the both of them. Like something he could give and ask for in equal measure; it's got the delicate distinction between a Boundary and a Contract; the agreement operates off respect, not ownership. ]
That is pretty damn reasonable of ya. You sure got alotta trust for me, huh? Guess we both got questionable taste... [ He spends a moment looking up at Nick with utter adoration. ]
But yeah-- that's plenty agreeable, so long as it's swingin' both ways. I tell you if I'm catchin' a serious love bug, you tell me, we'll work it out. Somethin' or someone makes you happy, I got no interest in takin' that away. But... guessin' I'm comin' to enjoy bein' spoiled by all your affection
So, we're... datin', I guess? You wanna call it that?
Oh no...what a horrible fate...however will we deal...with massively invested PSL romance....
I'd have said 'going steady', but dating works just fine.
[When Nick lowers his arm, it's resting on the edge of the tub, out of the water. This isn't a topic he generally acknowledges, not beyond trying his hardest to think of himself as a who and not a what. Hancock does make that progressively easier for him, but explaining why is a trick.
He gamely resists the urge to make a snarky comment about his being a legend, but he can't let the whole sentiment pass.]
You're really gettin under my skin with that, you know. [It's said fondly.] All the compliments and such.
When you're my age, it takes a long time for that sort of thing to sink in, so...thanks. For reminding me every now and again.
With Hyper-Fixating, Evidentially LOL */RP Joyfriend at your service*
[ His smile is lazy but jubilant as Nick agrees; to say he was holding his breath would be an overstatement, but he can't deny the rush of glee once they've met at a point of agreement. Dating, Going Steady, Stepping Out... His Partner, his Paramour, his friend-and-lover. The new settings on this reality are wild. ]
Good. I'm tryin'. Not to downplay your whole gig but in some way Nick, we're all approximations'a people. You're special, but it ain't cuz'a that. I'll remind ya anytime.
[ It's a small risk to sit up and twist, causing the water to ripple and whirl (Hancock doesn't realize those sensors got switched off) but he moves gradually. Bent at the waist he squares Nick with a look that clearly says 'What are you going to do about it?' and then lightly grazes their lips together like testing a brushstroke. He's still being careful not to overload Nick's mechanics but he had share the elation soaking his senses. ]
Ya feel me? [ He presses the Synth to affirm the understanding of his own personhood through pitch black eyes. His voice is going to give out if he keeps on like this-- Hancock does not care. This conversation is a million percent worth trashing his throat. ]
JOYFRIEND that is a good term. Nick's gonna have to get him some tea.
Yeah. [Metaphorically, he means.]
You done soaking? [Nick has no idea if ghouls can prune up but he doesn't imagine it's a comfortable experience if the answer is 'yes'.] Because I'm gettin jumpy about sittin here.
*/grins in enby LOL also wanna close the scene here?
[ Hancock is fairly certain he's seen a robe or two kicking around this place. How anything fabric had not been destroyed by moths is a mystery for the ages. ]
Got some candies from the Vaultie. Might pop 'em and lay on the bed a while. You... gunna be close by?
Yeah we can, this is a good spot.
Yeah, I can be.
[He had to clean up the scene of the interrogation, and do some laundry, but he could wait until Hancock eventually went to sleep.]
no subject
[ As far as looking for a cherry to pop, no one else living has seen John Hancock, as is, puttering around their apartment in bare-feet. The ghoul is almost two inches shorter than anyone but Nick Valentine probably realizes. ]
--END--