Chapter Text
Hank had been texting Chelsea all day, the two oddly had a lot in common. They were both film majors from UofM but Chelsea was working with a different professor and she graduated a year before him. She had really liked a band that Hank had a secret obsession with. Hank had talked to her about how when he’d drink he liked to stargaze, and she found it cool. She really liked astrology. They clicked instantly. Hank had felt real, and not alone after a while.
He regretted leaving Francis, but maybe this would make it a little easier to get over him. He had someone new he could focus on. He was in the middle of re-listening to Three Cheers since he and Chelsea were talking about it earlier. He hadn’t really paid full attention as he listened to it though, pondering again. He has been more active since he started talking to Chelsea more. Cleaning again, he had gotten back into doing small wordless films, he was feeling better after eight years.
Hank partly dreaded the fact that Thanksgiving was coming soon. It was November 14th, thanksgiving was in about two weeks.. He didn’t want to see his dad, and well. He couldn’t see his mom for obvious reasons. But he was scared if he and Chelsea became a thing.. Would she invite him to thanksgiving? He wouldn’t decline if she did but he was scared to meet her family and OH GOD. Francis would be there wouldn’t he? He is married to Chelsea’s cousin after all.. Maybe seeing him would be a good thing, they could become close friends again. That’d be a good thing. Maybe he, Chelsea, Francis and Vesta could go on a double date?? He wasn’t opposed to the ideas he kept getting.
“Hey! Hank, over here!” Hank had heard the now familiar voice as he walked into a smaller restaurant in his area. It was called “The Hen” and god was it a lovely restaurant for a brunch date. Especially a first date.
“Hey! Chelsea, it's so nice to finally see you in person!!” Hank set his jacket down on his chair and sat with Chelsea. “Uh, I’m a little new to dates, it’s been a while..” Hank scratched the back of his neck, feeling stupid for saying it, but also wanting to get it out there.
“I get it, Honestly I haven’t really done dates since uh.. My last relationship had kinda messed me up. I was scared to do dates after a while but I’m happy to have one with you.” Chelsea had a gentle smile, her dyed black streak falling in her eyes as she tried to fix it but her hair didn’t want to work with her.
“Uh, here let me help-” Hank offered with a small chuckle as he helped her tuck it behind her ear. Realizing the slightly intimate action, he pulled away and blushed a little. They both tried not to laugh at how stupid the interaction was. It felt like some teenage fantasy bullshit. They decided to focus on ordering food. Both of them talking over their orders. Hank had ordered an Iced tea and due to the amount of times he got sick from overly sweet tea, he ordered it with no sugar. Chelsea had ordered a coffee with two sugar and cream. She was big on coffee and enjoyed it in the mornings. Even if it was noon, inching closer to 1:00pm by now.
“What kind of film do you work on?” Hank asked, trying to spark up a conversation while he was trying to figure out what to order.
“I do lots of acting shots, but I also do photography now..” Chelsea mentioned, “I sometimes I’m in the shots that I record. I help a friend with his acting projects.” Hank had perked up at that.
“I used to do a ton of acting projects!! Now I do short films, usually silent ones..” He looked up at her, meeting her eyes. He felt an odd intimate connection. So he held onto it. Just studying her eyes. She was doing the same.
“What may I get you two for food?” The waiter RUDELY interrupted. They sheepishly got out their orders to the guy. Hank found his hand in Chelsea’s resting on the table.
Hank felt a rush of butterflies from it. He felt loved, genuinely this time. Hank didn’t want to lose that feeling at ALL. He finally felt safe, with no judgement. He smiled a little, noticing Chelsea had a smile. He studied her face, noticing her light freckles and how she blushed even at a small amount of contact. He was sure he too was blushing. He studied how her eyes moved across his face, eventually his eyes landed on her lips. He looked back to her eyes and they were on his lips. He turned away a little due to how warm his face felt.. He looked back with a bigger smile than before, feeling like a dweeb.
“Hey..” Chelsea tried to seem smooth as she said it, forcing herself to not laugh.
“Uh, Hey..” Hank said back, now seeing her leaning in. His whole body froze, did he lean in too?? Did he stay there, Shit he’s never kissed anyone before.. He slowly let himself lean in, not actually realizing what he was doing as he did it. As he leaned closer and closer he met her halfway. Their foreheads together as he felt her bangs pressed between their foreheads. Chelsea’s nose touched his and they smiled. Hank has finally been close enough to smell her perfume. He opened his mouth to say something but all he got was the contact of her lips on his. He closed his eyes and kissed back. Relishing the moment and hoping he was doing something right as he sat there with her. Hand in hand, kissing. The waiter didn’t interrupt that time..
They got so comfortable in the kiss the waiter eventually had to interrupt them because it was going on too long and he had to give them food. They both laughed it off when they had to break apart. Getting their breakfast, lunch? Whatever you want to call it. They both talked a lot more freely now, open to lots of conversations at this rate. I guess making out with someone really opens you up to talking huh? They talked more about their pasts, how school was and whatnot. It was a ton of common conversations but they felt so much more intimate now. Hank had been eating slowly knowing if he wasn’t that he would probably choke on his food or something. He didn’t want to choke not even an hour after his first kiss and on his first date at that.
He and Chelsea felt much closer now, Hank didn’t actually want to leave because it meant he’d have to leave Chelsea too. When they finished, he paid the bill and be a gentleman, then they walked to Chelsea’s car with her.
“So are we a thing or..?” He asked, a little sheepishly as Chelsea put her arms around his neck and kissed him. He was surprised by the action but melted into her kiss. Loving the affection she gave him. She broke the kiss after a moment.
“There’s your answer.”
Hank was shocked and happy, he put a hand to his mouth and smiled.
“I love you.” He finally got himself to say after his slight shock.
“I love you too Hank.” He hugged her tightly before she got in her car and they told their goodbyes. Chelsea drove off and Hank went to his car, smiling to himself as he finally felt what real love felt like. Chelsea had actually taught him how to feel again, and he wasn’t afraid to feel now. He wasn’t scared to show who he was now.
Hank sent Francis a text about it all and then drove home. He was happy to tell Francis about it all as he drove home, knowing he shouldn’t text while driving but he didn’t give a care. Hank got back to his apartment safely and was able to explain it all to Francis. He was proud of himself for once in his life. HE ACTUALLY FOUND A PARTNER!! A girl who LOVED him, he was ecstatic to tell his close friends. Which was really only Francis and Joe. Joe was one of Hank’s Frat bros in college, They had always updated each other on their dating life. Surprisingly Joe was gay with a boyfriend. Joe had always considered himself a “greaser” so it was funny he of all people had a twink boyfriend.
“DUDE JOE YOU'LL NEVER BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED.” Hank just had to call Joe, he had already told Francis so now he had to tell Joe.
“What happened Hank??” Joe seemed tired, which as of late he’s sounded tired a lot more often..
“I GOT A GIRLFRIEND!!” Hank sounded like a little kid who just passed a test and their parents were excited with them.
“Really? That’s great! I'm happy for you dude but I thought you liked dudes. Not chicks..” Joe had sounded a little cocky with it, Hank scoffed.
“I like both, dumbass.” Hank had heard Joe laugh on the other end of the call. He too chuckled a little.
“Well I'm happy for you Hanky.” Joe was holding back a laugh when he said it.
“I hate that stupid nickname.” Hank grumbled, Joe started laughing.
“I know- I know! Still funny to see your reaction-” Hank found himself smiling even though he hated the stupid name. It was a funny reminder of the good times he had from college. God he missed seeing Joe.
“Whatever Joey..” Hank knew what he was doing.
“I- Hey!! Only Peter is allowed to call me that, it ruins my tough guy persona.” Hank burst out laughing at Joe with that.
“YOUR WHAT.?!” He asked through bursts of laughter, unable to control it since, well. Who knew Joe had a ‘tough guy persona.’? I mean, yeah he was a greaser guy but a tough guy persona????
“I- Fuck off McJones!!” Joe got defensive now, I mean for good reason too. Nicknames are sensitive for Joe ever since he got with Peter. It was the one thing that he softened to. The one thing he felt loved by.
“Okay, okay!! I’ll fuck off!!” Hank let off and eventually the two hung up. Hank had a slightly dreamy look as he checked Chelsea's texts before he set his phone down to take his usual afternoon naps, it was roughly 4:00pm but Hank didn’t give a damn. He tossed his hat onto his coffee table, took his sweater and shirt off then grabbed his comforter from his bed. Laying down on the couch for a bit so he didn’t sleep until midnight. He made sure the lights were low enough for a light nap then he went straight to sleep. A small smile on his face as he slept. Not even sleep could separate him from the stupid smirk he got from love.