Chapter Text
Hank wakes to yelling and laughing. He looks at his watch and curses his kids for being so energetic and loud. He debates going back to sleep, but figures he isn't going to be able to fall asleep with all that noice.
He trudges out of his bedroom and is nearly knocked over as Cole runs past him, soon being followed by Connor who's light on his feet. Cole doesn't stand a chance.
"Jesus Christ," Hank mutters, grabbing the wall for support.
He watches as Cole runs into a corner. He's trapped. Connor slowly walks towards him, grinning, taunting him. Cole watches, eyes wide, searching for an escape. There is none.
"Please," He begs.
Connor attacks. Cole shrieks and giggles as his brother's fingers tickles his sides. Connor laughs. Sumo is very amused by this and barks.
It's too early for this shit.
He clears his throat. They stop immediatley and looks at him.
"Oh," Connor mumbles. "Did we wake you?" He asks, grimacing. Hank nods tiredly.
"Sorry," They both say in unison. In their defence they do look like they mean it.
Hank grumbles something that sounds like a 'whatever' and goes into the bathroom to shower.
The mirror is full of sticky notes. All in different colours, since Cole insisted they needed every colour in the rainbow. Connor obviously agreed, guilt tripping him into buying them.
A blue one reminds him of Cole's dentist appointment on Friday. A yellow one about Connor's upcoming test. (He'll have to make time to help him study to try to avoid panic. He's so terrified of failing. It's unsettling.) And an orange one that says, in neat cursive, a skill only Connor managed to aquire, 'you can do it'.
It gets awfully quiet out there. Hank is almost worried. He hurries to finish.
Once he comes out again Connor and Cole are seated at the dining table. Cole being super engrossed in Connor's coin tricks. A sense of pride swells up in his chest as he watches them. He raised them. He smiles.
~~~
Connor chats excitedly about a movie or video game, Hank isn't sure, as they walk into the station, cardboard boxes in their arms.
"If it isn't my favourite Anderson!" Ben exclains joyfully, ruffling Connor's neat hair. Connor smiles shyly as he sets the box on Hank's desk and tries fixing his hair.
"Watch it, Collins," Hank threathens, as he puts his box down on his desk, but there no real heat behind it.
Chris saunters over, cheerfull as ever. "Hello, Connor!"
Everyone adores Connor. It's obvious they all want him to join the precinct as soon as possible.
"Hello, Chris."
"How's school, Kid?"Miller asks as he claps him on the back.
"It's good," Connor replies, grinning as Chris' arm makes it's way over his shoulders.
They start talking about their families and Connor quietly sneaks away to the break room for some coffee.
"Well, if it isn't Hank Anderson's prodigy son."
Connor doesn't spare Gavin a glance as he makes a beeline for the coffee maker. He takes out two mugs from the cupboard, deciding to make some for his dad too.
"Shut up, Reed."
Connor takes the two mugs in his hands and turns to leave, but is met with one annoying detective blocking his way. Connor nearly looms over him with his unamused glare.
"What do you want?" He asks, looking down at the detective.
"How's your brother?" Reed asks, looking smug as ever. "Heard he sprained his ancle the other day."
"That was three weeks ago." Connor gives him the most deadpan look he can muster and shoulders past him back into the precinct.
When Connor comes back to the desk Hank graciously thanks him for the coffee. Officer Person, who has joined the conversation greets him.
"I'm going to be late if I don't leave soon," He says, looking at the time on his phone. Hank looks at him.
"Should I drive you?" He asks. Connor shakes his head.
"I'll just take the bus," He replies.
"What about your coffee?" Hank questions, motioning to the mug in his hand.
Hank and the others watches in horror ad Connor brings the mug to his lips, face expressionless as he downs the steaming hot, black coffee in one go without breaking eye contact. He mutters a goodbye and leaves without another word.