- ̗̀ survivor ̖́-

“i can’t imagine them agreeing to let me download one.” connor said honestly and let his shoulders drop. “the vr headset is hooked up if you’ve ever tried one of those?” the other man got up and moved towards his disgustingly large tv and began pulling open drawers. “it all depends...on what you want to do. i’ve got every console known to man set up in here. even a ddr machine in the next room - can’t say i’m very good at it.”

“Well, that only narrows it down slightly,” he glanced at the other. Gavin didn’t know what the other was thinking, what his hobbies were, and really what he would much rather do. “How much are you into heights?”

“It narrows it down enough, doesn’t it?” Connor asked with a slight grin before shrugging. “Love heights, even have my own jet - would live on the thing if they let me.”

Connor couldn’t help but look at the other with some sort of mild admiration, it was interesting to see the way he reacted to him. He didn’t know if he liked it, or loathed it. “Gin and tonic, please. Bombay if you have it. And plenty of ice.” Connor licked his lip and sunk his teeth into his lower tier. “Got any of those little umberellas?”

Benji felt a little awkward, but it wasn’t his brother’s fault.  If anyone were to blame, it was Benji himself.  He was the one who had isolated himself, who’d left Everwood and not returned for four years, so the blame lay squarely on his shoulders.  Hugging his brother back, Benji realized that this was the first time he’d hugged someone in a very long time, and it felt odd.  Good, but odd nonetheless.  “Hi, big brother,” Benji said back, smiling at his twin.  Was he okay?  Benji didn’t know; being back in Everwood was so surreal, and he’d felt off ever since returning.  “I’m…” he started to say before just shrugging his shoulders; Benji still didn’t know how to answer the question.  “How about you?” he asked his brother.

Connor knew that their relationship would fall back into place eventually, it was what they both needed - each other. They’d been separated before, it was nothing knew. But this time there was something else in the way and he figured it had something to do with what Benji had been through - the accident had taken a major hit to his brother. Figuratively and literally. He didn’t press any further on his brothers state, he would tell him how he was when he was ready. “Same old. Tired working dad.”

“Suits me?” Connor looked around as if he could see a mirror and take another look at himself and the damage the glitter had done but all he could really find was a window with a very faint reflection that showed none of the glitter. “True, my daughter has made me very aware of that unfortunate fact. I try my hardest to keep it out of the house but it seems her schoolwork has other plans.”

Gavin couldn’t agree more, considering he was usually tied up doing something. Nipping at his inner lip, he pondered answers to Connor’s question. With a small shake of his head, he wasn’t coming up with anything. “I guess it depends. Are we looking more of ‘pass the time’ kind of eventful or ‘spontaneous eventful’?”

“I would take either that doesn’t land me in jail.” Adventurous as he was, he didn’t have any interest in breaking the law - that was where he drew the line and of course, he did not know this man well enough to know what kind of activities he was into. But Connor had responsibilities, and a child - not to mention a billion dollar company that he was the face of.

THE CLOCK TICKS. –– with @connorgrace​

“––but con-nor,” he lays on the floor of their place, arms and legs spread out. “it’s so hard to wait 7 hours. this may be the longest night of my life.” gus decided that waiting until midnight for a video game ( splatoon 2 ) would be miles easier if he did it with a friend. but thus far “–my internal clock is going so. slowly.” 

he couldn’t help but laugh when he heard the other whine. “what do you want me to do? pull some strings to see if i can get the game earlier? because i’m not sure they’d want to fraternize with another company.” which was true, not that gaming companies hated other gaming companies but they didn’t really reach out to each other for things like this. “i’ve got a house full of shit, you’re trying to tell me you can’t pass the time with at least one of these games or rooms.”

“Oscar Isaac? That’s who’s doing it for you? Can’t say I disagree - apparently, he’s a nice man.” Connor mused. He had a few friends that had some connections to the stars, nothing Connor would ever pursue himself as he quite often did prefer to stay hidden in the shadows with his daughter where he could keep her safe. “Well, first of all - you haven’t been in jail, have you?” He figured he should at least ask, it was going to come up eventually.

“i think that is what abigail brings to me, which is nice - because it helps me rekindle that side of me i forgot i even had.” he smiled at the other. “i haven’t seen you around much lately, been busy?” he had heard a few things, that luke had gotten into a relationship but it wasn’t in connor’s interest to follow gossip.

Benji had been looking down when he’d spoken, so he hadn’t realized for a couple seconds who was standing nearby watching this unfold.  But then Connor started walking toward him, and Benji immediately felt better.  He hadn’t spent a ton of time with Connor since returning, but this was his twin, and it was nice to see him.  On the other hand, Benji blushed, knowing that Connor would now that he shouldn’t be lost in his hometown.  “Hey Con,” Benji said quietly.  “I’ve gotten turned around…guess I’ve been gone pretty long, haven’t I?”

Connor wasn’t sure where to start, it was a little surreal - ultimately, he thought he should go in for a hug. So he did, gingerly. He stepped forward and lunged in for the hug, initiating an embrace that was a little awkward but comforting none the less. “Sometimes this little town can’t handle the two of us, you know, too much beauty could destroy a place.” He tried to joke, but it was never really his strong suit. “Are you okay? I mean - how have you been?”

connor had his reasons for staying, but one of those reasons he probably should not mention to an ex. let alone someone that practically hated him, or at the very least - disliked him greatly. “well, some of us like tiny towns - i was never much a fan of the big cities. overwhelming.” connor liked the quieter life, despite what his wealth might suggest - his autism still kept him from seeking a larger audience.

“All of the above.” Connor replied, snapping his fingers. “Compliments are better when unexpected, or so I’ve found. Unless it’s from that special someone that makes your heart go all pitter patter.” He motioned for the girl to walk with him and continued to smile. “I do, and then we should go and talk over a drink. Might make it easier for me to decide if you’re child safe and what not.”