[ winn wouldn't complain about being within protecting distance, either. he's had too many close calls lately.
patting his shoulder again he nods. ]
They're in my room, I'll get them for you before you head back. I've got some science, some history, and one short stories just for the heck of it. If you need me to get more, or run any errands for you - I'm just a comm call away.
[ for hank and charles and their friends - he will brave the iskaulit again. and he's on the planet a lot so picking stuff up there is easy. ]
I'm not going to ask you to run errands for us - but I appreciate the offer. [he remembers how Winn feels about the shuttles, and flying, and he doubts there's much they'd need in the first place.
He frowns in thought for a moment before he shrugs]
Erik cooked a lot, so I imagine he's made sure there's decent enough food.
Ask me, it's fine. I'm planet-side a lot I can pick up whatever you need.
[ yeah he doesn't love the shuttles or flying, but he's gotten used to it. he does it. he does it for lesser reasons than helping out friends, so of course he'll do it for hank. ]
Well if you need any groceries or just - anything. Games - uh, Margaery made me a deck of cards - you can take that if you want.
It's - we're still on the planets with the factions, aren't we? [he remembers that much. Or more like, he remembers how much he hated the thought of factions.
That sure hasn't changed]
I don't - think we need anything, but I'll - let me gauge how everyone is and maybe then I'll - think a little more on it.
[ WINN WOULD BE SO EXCITED FOR HIM IF HE GOT IT HIMSELF
well, actually winn was referring to their friends on the fleet who all seemed to be waking up and glitch-free these past few days. but sure, that too. ]
Yeah, that's still just as dumb as it was the day we landed. On the bright side though, it's still not violent, at least.
[ he was pretty worried when margaery took him to moxie territory, ok, one look at him is all it takes to see that he's spirit regardless of what he's wearing (though his general fondness for wearing blue wasn't helping his case any either). ]
But yes that too. Once these new worries settles he'll jump right back into the old ones]
Not yet, you mean. [he'd agreed with Erik, for once, on that not lasting long, and after everything back home - well, that hasn't changed a bit] I guess it's in my favor, for once, that I don't plan on going down there anytime soon. I still don't want anything to do with that nonsense.
[ IT'S THE ATROMA HANK, IT'S TAKEN HIS POP CULTURE KNOWLEDGE AND HE WILL TAKE HIS REVENGE! ]
I'd like to hope that with all their love of logic and honor and survival, they'll figure out that division and war's in no one's best interest before it ever comes to that. [ it's naive and even he knows it, but if they're real people and not virtual creations, he has to have faith they'll find their way to the right path. he refuses to let the atroma change him, he wants to be the kind of person who sees the best in people. ]
[HOW DARE THEY, you can't take a nerd's pop culture they THRIVE ON IT]
I'm hoping for that too, but - I see it for what it is as well. [and he looks a little guilty about it, but the experience he was drawing on is now an older memory, one so far removed from his current life that it's strange to be going back to it again]
[ RIGHT? they must pay! all he's left with are vague references and soundtracks. ]
Honestly we don't know what it is. We spend a month on a planet and move on, it's crazy to think that's enough to understand its history and culture. [ he shakes his head ] I don't like what it is either but -- I dunno. It's not earth, it could turn into anything, I guess.
[they are so going to pay, nerd redemption will come.
A little wryly, tiredly]
I saw teams and colors and that was enough for me - before. [he almost says "back then" but stops himself] But - you're right, it could become anything.
I don't mind the concept of teams - I mean, the fleet's kind of a good example of teams done right, I think. We've got the crews of the different ships - each of those are teams. And we got our nerd squad. And - there's the X-Men, Avengers, team Supergirl - it's natural for people with common causes or interests to band together. Just as long as they don't lose sight of the fact that people outside their team matter just as much and also have plenty to offer to the world in the process, it's fine.
[ but that doesn't seem to be the situation with the factions. he sighs, tired as well. ]
This feels more like high school, though. The jocks, the nerds...
[ he nods, he gets it, or at least - he thinks he knows what hank was referring to what with teams and colors. ]
Seriously. Every time I walk around outside of work I keep expecting a wedgie.
[ which is honestly a ridiculous concern to have as a grown man but the place just really reminds him of high school and his experience with it was not great. ]
[ the fleet just sucks so much worse without hank and jim by his side, and both of them being gone at the same time was just too damn much. ]
Just gimme a list if you need anything. Between Kitty and Margaery, I end up most everywhere. [ he just wants to sit at work and play with a computer that actually responds to his commands, but they want him to have fun and not shut down and lose himself in work or something of the sort, so he gets dragged all over the place. if he weren't so miserable and if this place wasn't making him so uncomfortable he'd be excited to explore a new planet, but what are ifs good for. ]
I missed you, too. No one appreciates my humor like you do.
[and they don't bicker like an old married couple, unlike how he and Charles end up doing, especially if a joke ends up in the mix somewhere, god forbid.
He softens a little and nods, and while he knows he won't take Winn up on the offer, he still appreciates it] If I think of anything, you'll be the first to know. [sooner or later he will have to go down, and apologize to the nice folks who had given him a job on their farm, but - he won't do that anytime soon, either.
But he feels better. Still exhausted, and his head's still a little iffy, but - coming over here had been a good idea. He clasps Winn on the shoulder, and, as earnest as he ever is]
I should head back, but - thank you, Winn. [for being a good friend]
Anytime at all, man. Seriously, you know I don't sleep. [ anyone who looks at his face for 5 seconds knows he doesn't sleep. he returns the gesture before getting up. ]
Let's go by my room and get you those books, and I'll walk you out.
[ don't worry hank, jim scolds him enough for the whole fleet. ]
If you get bored, give me a call.
[ or if he needs company, but phrasing it as getting bored somehow feels a little less intimidating, like it might actually happen.
he leads him to his room and gets the pile of book and the deck of cards. ]
You wanna borrow the speakers too? [ cisco made them for him when he was in his coma ] You can take the phone, [ the one cisco made him, he's not letting go of his phone from home unless he absolutely has to. ] listen to some music, there's a lot of oldies on here, too.
I'll send you a message, mm. [that late, it'll likely be a text message if anything, because that's when everyone's (pretending to be) asleep and the time he takes to himself, but - it'd be new and nice, to have someone to talk to for once. Someone uninvolved, who won't ask if he doesn't want to answer.
He might even invite him over, once he's sure no one's powers are going to get out of hand]
I - [suddenly all these things and he blinks widely a few times before he laughs faintly and shakes his head] It's fine, I'd rather read. None of us are much for any music and - it's better if it stays quiet.
[ text is actually better if he happens to catch him in bed, that way they don't wake kitty.
he nods, smiling a little sheepishly. he's trying too hard again, isn't he? but he can't help himself. he's never had to many friends and now that he does he just wants to do everything humanly possible for them. ]
Gotcha. I'll try to see if I can find some more good reads. Um - let me get you a bag for that -
[ rummaging through his closet for a tote bag he made for carrying his many purchases. ] Here you go - [ putting the books and cards in and handing the bag back to him ]
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patting his shoulder again he nods. ]
They're in my room, I'll get them for you before you head back. I've got some science, some history, and one short stories just for the heck of it. If you need me to get more, or run any errands for you - I'm just a comm call away.
[ for hank and charles and their friends - he will brave the iskaulit again. and he's on the planet a lot so picking stuff up there is easy. ]
Do you have decent food up there?
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I'm not going to ask you to run errands for us - but I appreciate the offer. [he remembers how Winn feels about the shuttles, and flying, and he doubts there's much they'd need in the first place.
He frowns in thought for a moment before he shrugs]
Erik cooked a lot, so I imagine he's made sure there's decent enough food.
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Ask me, it's fine. I'm planet-side a lot I can pick up whatever you need.
[ yeah he doesn't love the shuttles or flying, but he's gotten used to it. he does it. he does it for lesser reasons than helping out friends, so of course he'll do it for hank. ]
Well if you need any groceries or just - anything. Games - uh, Margaery made me a deck of cards - you can take that if you want.
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It's - we're still on the planets with the factions, aren't we? [he remembers that much. Or more like, he remembers how much he hated the thought of factions.
That sure hasn't changed]
I don't - think we need anything, but I'll - let me gauge how everyone is and maybe then I'll - think a little more on it.
[current gauge: hot mess]
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he nods, in answer to both. ]
Yeah, yeah, of course. And don't worry about catching up with here, as far as I know at least - you didn't miss anything.
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You mean I didn't miss out on the factions and the stupidity of it all? I'm so relieved.
[it's so deadpan]
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well, actually winn was referring to their friends on the fleet who all seemed to be waking up and glitch-free these past few days. but sure, that too. ]
Yeah, that's still just as dumb as it was the day we landed. On the bright side though, it's still not violent, at least.
[ he was pretty worried when margaery took him to moxie territory, ok, one look at him is all it takes to see that he's spirit regardless of what he's wearing (though his general fondness for wearing blue wasn't helping his case any either). ]
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But yes that too. Once these new worries settles he'll jump right back into the old ones]
Not yet, you mean. [he'd agreed with Erik, for once, on that not lasting long, and after everything back home - well, that hasn't changed a bit] I guess it's in my favor, for once, that I don't plan on going down there anytime soon. I still don't want anything to do with that nonsense.
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I'd like to hope that with all their love of logic and honor and survival, they'll figure out that division and war's in no one's best interest before it ever comes to that. [ it's naive and even he knows it, but if they're real people and not virtual creations, he has to have faith they'll find their way to the right path. he refuses to let the atroma change him, he wants to be the kind of person who sees the best in people. ]
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I'm hoping for that too, but - I see it for what it is as well. [and he looks a little guilty about it, but the experience he was drawing on is now an older memory, one so far removed from his current life that it's strange to be going back to it again]
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Honestly we don't know what it is. We spend a month on a planet and move on, it's crazy to think that's enough to understand its history and culture. [ he shakes his head ] I don't like what it is either but -- I dunno. It's not earth, it could turn into anything, I guess.
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A little wryly, tiredly]
I saw teams and colors and that was enough for me - before. [he almost says "back then" but stops himself] But - you're right, it could become anything.
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[ but that doesn't seem to be the situation with the factions. he sighs, tired as well. ]
This feels more like high school, though. The jocks, the nerds...
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[that's the most apt description of the factions he's heard yet and it makes him groan]
It is high school.
[he should know, he teaches teenagers now]
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Seriously. Every time I walk around outside of work I keep expecting a wedgie.
[ which is honestly a ridiculous concern to have as a grown man but the place just really reminds him of high school and his experience with it was not great. ]
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[. . . that's not teacher Hank talking, but whatever, details, he means it]
Maybe I should stay off the planet. I'm going to want to hide or hand out detentions.
[the downside of being an old nerd who teaches]
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I really missed you.
[ the fleet just sucks so much worse without hank and jim by his side, and both of them being gone at the same time was just too damn much. ]
Just gimme a list if you need anything. Between Kitty and Margaery, I end up most everywhere. [ he just wants to sit at work and play with a computer that actually responds to his commands, but they want him to have fun and not shut down and lose himself in work or something of the sort, so he gets dragged all over the place. if he weren't so miserable and if this place wasn't making him so uncomfortable he'd be excited to explore a new planet, but what are ifs good for. ]
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[and they don't bicker like an old married couple, unlike how he and Charles end up doing, especially if a joke ends up in the mix somewhere, god forbid.
He softens a little and nods, and while he knows he won't take Winn up on the offer, he still appreciates it] If I think of anything, you'll be the first to know. [sooner or later he will have to go down, and apologize to the nice folks who had given him a job on their farm, but - he won't do that anytime soon, either.
But he feels better. Still exhausted, and his head's still a little iffy, but - coming over here had been a good idea. He clasps Winn on the shoulder, and, as earnest as he ever is]
I should head back, but - thank you, Winn. [for being a good friend]
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[ he nods, maintaining a straight face. ]
Anytime at all, man. Seriously, you know I don't sleep. [ anyone who looks at his face for 5 seconds knows he doesn't sleep. he returns the gesture before getting up. ]
Let's go by my room and get you those books, and I'll walk you out.
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[something something rude old men.
Wryly] I know. I don't do a lot of that anymore, either. [so he can't even gently scold him anymore. He pushes to his feet after Winn]
Sounds good to me.
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If you get bored, give me a call.
[ or if he needs company, but phrasing it as getting bored somehow feels a little less intimidating, like it might actually happen.
he leads him to his room and gets the pile of book and the deck of cards. ]
You wanna borrow the speakers too? [ cisco made them for him when he was in his coma ] You can take the phone, [ the one cisco made him, he's not letting go of his phone from home unless he absolutely has to. ] listen to some music, there's a lot of oldies on here, too.
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He might even invite him over, once he's sure no one's powers are going to get out of hand]
I - [suddenly all these things and he blinks widely a few times before he laughs faintly and shakes his head] It's fine, I'd rather read. None of us are much for any music and - it's better if it stays quiet.
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he nods, smiling a little sheepishly. he's trying too hard again, isn't he? but he can't help himself. he's never had to many friends and now that he does he just wants to do everything humanly possible for them. ]
Gotcha. I'll try to see if I can find some more good reads. Um - let me get you a bag for that -
[ rummaging through his closet for a tote bag he made for carrying his many purchases. ] Here you go - [ putting the books and cards in and handing the bag back to him ]
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He takes the bag and there's another thank you on his lips before he reads what it says - and bursts out laughing as he takes it]
Thanks. I'm going to be laughing at this when I get back and they're all going to think I've actually lost it.
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[ grinning, it just feels so good to hear hank laugh. he should have whipped out the silly a long time ago. ]
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