Chapter Text
December had just started and the holidays were drawing near. Connor, like many, had the holidays on his mind. The android wanted to do something special this year. He was going to surprise his father figure with an amazing gift. Connor didn't know what he was going to buy Hank but the man deserved a gift. Connor stifled a cough as he got ready for the day. It was strange, but he didn't think anything of it. He couldn't be getting sick, because androids can't get sick. Viruses and glitches, yes. But, surely this wasn't anything.
Connor never celebrated Christmas before. Never celebrated any holiday really. He never saw a need or felt a desire to. Some of that came from not having a childhood or years of experience to draw from. Other reasons included Hank's understandable aversion to the season and all holidays. However, for whatever reason this year was different. Connor wasn't sure what exactly he wanted to do this year but, he wanted to do something for the holiday.
It wasn't clear what sparked the desire.
Perhaps it was all the holiday decorations featuring dogs or the stockings filled with dog toys he'd seen in the store. The abundance of decorations featuring dogs was either a new trend for this year or maybe Connor had somehow missed them the previous years. Either way, it was Connor's first time discovering such treasures.
Whichever it was, something launched a new desire within the deviant to experience Christmas. This year seemed like the year he was finally ready to see what the season is all about. His first Christmas, December 25th 2038, was spent settling into life and things were very hectic. After all it had been right after the revolution. Android rights were still being worked on, he was still fairly new to the feelings that came with deviancy and the Lieutenant was still deep within the dark walls of his depression.
The following year was a bit better on them both but, not only did he not have an interest in the holidays, possibly due to Hank's own lack of spirit, but Christmas Eve was spent on the site of a homicide. Not the best location to get one into a holly jolly mood nor was it a time to celebrate peace of earth and goodwill to men.
This year? This year was the year he was going to celebrate.
Currently, the house wasn't decorated for the upcoming holiday. Hank couldn't bring himself to dig out the old decorations that he had once put up as Cole ran about. Connor understood that and he was fine without any decorations. However, the two men did agree that they would at least get a tree to put up. Connor was fine with an artificial tree but Hank insisted they go pick out a live tree. Connor was looking forward to the outing later that day.
Until then he had other shopping to do. Gift shopping. He needed to pick something out for Hank and he wanted to get something for the lovable Sumo as well. Connor finished getting dressed for the day and headed out of his room. Dressed in a dark blue sweater and black jeans, he pulled on a dark gray jacket and a well-worn pair of sneakers near the front door.
He held back another cough.
"Hank! I'm heading out a bit!" He called as he opened the door. "I'll be home in a few hours!" With that, he headed out for a small shopping trip.
Hank sat at the kitchen table, mug of fresh coffee in one hand, phone in the other. He took a sip of the caffeine-filled beverage before setting the mug down. Mind on the date. December 4th. Christmas was quickly coming up. He held back memories of Christmases past as he continued scrolling through the important information on his phone.
The perfect gift for Connor.
Hank hadn't celebrated anything since he lost Cole. The once happy occasion of Christmas left nothing but an ache in his chest and a depressed fog over his entire being. Christmas used to be a day with cheer and smiles. The man would wake up early to his son excitedly jumping on the bed, cheering that Santa had come. They would then have a special breakfast followed by presents. Hank would watch Cole tear open his gifts and happily run around with his new toys. Now such experiences were nothing but distant memories that a part of the man longed for. It brought out the dark clouds and the whiskey.
He was doing better these days, thanks to Connor. Connor gave him something, and more importantly, someone to live for again. The android also helped to push the man to seek out professional help. Things were going well for him. It had been a little over two years since the android came into his life and somehow wormed his way into his heart. Most days were spent in the company of the man he had come to call son rather than with the company of alcohol.
When Connor brought up that he was interested in Christmas, Hank wasn't sure if he was ready for anything to do with the holiday but, as painful as his memories were, he did want Connor to experience Christmas in all of its joyful glory. The kid deserved it. Hank couldn't go all out on decorations at least not with what he already had in storage. Those would only stir up more memories. He had told Connor just that, thankful the RK800 understood and didn't seem disappointed that they weren't going 'all out'. Connor was happy with a simple celebration. While he couldn't put up most of his decorations...a tree he could do. He'd need to figure out where the hell that old artificial tree was stored...
Oh, what the Hell? Forget the old artificial tree he had packed up somewhere or shopping for a new one. Real trees were best. Connor protested at first. But Hank just laughed and shook his head. There was something special and memorable about picking out a real pine tree to decorate.
They would go out an pick out a live one. Pick out the 'perfect' and 'best' tree just like he use to do with Cole. The holiday season was still a rough time for the Lieutenant. The man still wasn't sure if he was ever going to truly celebrate Christmas again but this year he was planning to gift Connor with something neither one of them would ever forget. Hank's eyes went from the screen in his hand to his right as his eyes caught the sight of Connor heading to the door.
"Be safe!" He instinctively called back. Hank knew that Connor could take care of himself, he wasn't a child nor was he even human. He was an advanced android. He was more than capable of handling what the world could throw at him. But that still didn't help the fact that Connor seemed to be a shit magnet. Trouble always seemed to find him left and right.
Connor entered the mall, with no particular store in mind. He still wasn't sure what he was going to get for Hank but he figured that he would know the right thing when he saw it. He planned to walk around from shop to shop, look around to see what he could find but not necessarily buy anything. What was it humans called it? Window shopping. That was it. It was a perfect idea. And while the android was out at the mall he could not help but to stop at the pet shop to get treats and goodies for Sumo.
A new ball, a squeaky chew toy, and a big ol' bone would be perfect for the St. Bernard. Connor just had to find the right ones. The perfect color, size, sound. The android had a lot of things to consider. Not too seriously or thoroughly but he did want to put some thought into the dog's gifts. The lovable mutt might just get a stocking too.
The pet shop had a few pre-filled pet stockings as well as a pick your own station with a variety of empty stockings and bins of various toys. Connor looked over all the offerings. There were a lot of toys and treats to choose from. Connor picked out the ball, squeaky toy and bone rather quickly. He also picked up a box of dog treats. Then he picked out a larger pre-filled stocking. With gift shopping for Sumo done it was time to get back to shopping for Hank. What would Hank like?
Connor stepped back into the main plaza and continued down the shop filled corridor looking at the various items in the window displays as he walked past. A few times he paused to get a better look, LED flicking from blue to yellow as he studied the offerings. Nothing he saw so far would make the perfect gift. Sure he had come across plenty of things he knew the man would like but none of those things felt right.
After over an hour of window shopping, Connor gave a quick glance around the shopping plaza. Nothing more caught his eye. With a defeated sigh and yet another cough, Connor decided to head home. He could always continue his search later. Perhaps that night he could look around online or he could go back out another time. He had plenty of time to find a gift.
The usually determined android was ready to give up for the day. He was still determined to get the perfect gift but it was time to head home. He was sick of shopping, sick of this mall...he also was starting to feel physically ill as well but, he tried to push the feeling away. His thoughts were filled with how he should be getting home. It was about time to meet up with Hank so they could pick out a tree! With shopping bags of dog goodies in hand Connor left the mall, as strange ache settling in his chest. He ignored it and quickly made his way home. He was fine, there was nothing to worry about...