Connor/Daniel

[choosetoforget]

Daniel's finally settled into the sort of life he always wanted. Jon's London flat, cozy and more than everything he needs. His sister, healthier and comfortable. Daniel with enough money to get by but job prospects in spades thanks to some very forged documentation. All in all, post-2000 seems to suit him. He takes books out to cafes. He goes out with friends he's made. He settles into a very nice life that he never dreamed possible for himself.

Of course, there are times when he feels lonely. Those same friends he goes out and discusses politics and history with have never been on the Barge. They don't know the horrors he faced there and afterward. They don't know the sort of person Daniel is. Not even his sister has that privilege; he would never burden her with that. She has the most sanitized version of the truth.

So it was only a bit of trepidation that he asked Jon, whose deal was the ability to move between worlds and move people between words, to bring Connor for a visit. If he wanted to. It's been so long that he's not certain Connor would even want to see him.

He sends his sister out with her friends, people he trusts to take care of her, and waits. Makes tea. Forgets it. Heats it up when it gets cold. Forgets it again. Makes a new batch, then starts a film.

Trying not to look at the door more than he has to.

Comments

[brutallyefficient]

The pensive feeling is mutual. He's aware of how much time has likely passed on the Barge, but there was no way for him to return. His communicator had stopped working, there were no portals or ships passing by, and all other communication had been lost. For the first time in a long time, he felt alone and adrift even though he had left with the intent of seeing others that he cared for.

Days turn into months and all he could do is look up at the stars overhead and wonder: Would The Barge arrive soon to take him away again?

Eventually, it does. The chance to return to that familiar ship is met with a mixture of excitement and dread. Undoubtedly, Daniel has moved on and other familiar faces have gone. But Daniel had always been his friend before all else and he would treat this as though he were going to see a long-lost friend.

Sometime later, Connor arrives at the familiar cabin door with a small giftbox in hand. The door looks different than it had before - there was no forgetting - but he knocks anyway. Hopefully, he's here.

[choosetoforget]

Daniel leaps to his feet at the sound of the knock. "One moment!" he calls out, tripping over the cat on his way to the door. "Ow!" he hisses but manages to grab the door handle and straighten himself out a little. He takes a breath, his heart hammering in his chest, and opens it up with a bit of a flourish.

"Connor," he says instead of a greeting, and then fixes himself. "I - hello. I'm happy you're here."

[brutallyefficient]

It's pretty obvious how uncomposed his friend is. From the noise that is made before the door is answered to how he has to smooth out his clothes. And that look - he's nervous, isn't he?

Connor gives the faintest smile regardless of either. It's subtle, but still enough to see how he brightens when he sees Daniel.

"I'm sorry. I know I'm late." He motions into the room with an open palm. "May I come in or are you busy...?" It's a little formal but he has to test the waters.

[choosetoforget]

"Of course I'm not busy. I've been waiting on you," he admits, letting him inside. Zhenzhen, offended after being tripped over, pointedly ignores them both to jump up onto a little perch, but Daniel's attention is focused fully on Connor. He's not really sure how this will go or what will happen, but he's exceptionally glad to see him.

He keeps a tidy flat, though there are added flourishes from Hazel's occupancy. Their shoes mix in a corner. She's left her coat draped over a dining room chair. Daniel's books, however, are everywhere. Every bookshelf is filled and a well-worn desk holds his laptop.

[brutallyefficient]

His way into the room is with a great deal of observance. The room looks different. Things are arranged differently, his kitten is much more grown now, and it has many more objects in it than before. (There are hints of someone visiting recently.) Connor takes note of them one at a time.

"I got you a gift from the location I visited." He stops and holds out the small box. Inside is a small bracelet with a white band on the outside and a strip of metal inside. When the metal is turned it would 'click' and light up the band. It's a small source of light but maybe he would appreciate it.

"I'm not expecting it to make up for the time I spent away, I just thought it could be a way to break the ice."

[choosetoforget]

Daniel sits on the couch and gestures for him to join as he takes the box. He opens it up, picking out the bracelet with a smile. "Oh, this is lovely," he says softly. "This will be useful when I walk home from the University at night." He laughs. "Though I also have my phone, which has quite powerful torch on it."

He smiles. "Thank you, Connor." He slides it onto his wrist.

[brutallyefficient]

"You're welcome." He nods to it. "I thought that more light might would be ideal. You never know when something may malfunction unexpectedly."

But this is normal chitchat that would only serve to dance around the obvious topic. So he decides to try and ask it outright rather than wait.

His tone becomes more sincere. "How have you been, Daniel?"

[choosetoforget]

He fiddles with the bracelet at the question. "Well - I graduated and - and Jon offered to allow me to stay here. Have his money, his flat, everything." He gestures to the side door. "Hazel, my sister, is here. Well, she's out with friends at the moment. But she lives here and I can ensure she gets the most up to date treatment. She's happy."

He moves a little closer. "I - work at the university. As a researcher, much like I did before. Life is - stable, for once." And no sight of the Shadow.

[brutallyefficient]

"Oh," He gives a blink of surprise. So much has changed... it's difficult to believe it, but they are all good changes.

Connor nudges Daniel with an elbow. "You've made so many positive changes in such a short amount of time. I'm proud of you, Daniel." And it certainly shows on his face in the way his eyes gleam, even if he was never one for overt facial expressions.

"Are you happy?"

[choosetoforget]

Daniel takes that nudge and gently slides his arm through Connor's, bravely taking his hand in the process. Connor being proud of him means everything, and those words are enough that he grows bolder. "I am happy. This is the life that I wanted, even if I didn't know it. I have my memories back, too. I have a surname, all of my childhood back."

[brutallyefficient]

Connor has always been one to keep his expressions and reactions tempered, but there is a hint of something more when Daniel grabs his hand. It's the distant light of being happy. At least after all this time he is treated with more welcome than he could have hoped.

"Maybe you could tell me about them." All of it. The memories, the name, maybe even about his sister. "If you want to, I mean. They're not something I had the opportunity to learn about before."

[choosetoforget]

"And I didn't know them when - when you left. My name is Daniel - er - Daniel Sullivan. My sister, Hazel, and I grew up in Canterbury. In Kent. Our father was a brute of a man, but an artisan, and he was the one who taught me how to work with machines and wood and metals." He keeps hold of him, ghosting his thumb across the back of his hand.

"Christ, what else is there? An entire life!"

[brutallyefficient]

He huffs a small breath, something like amusement at such a summary. "You're right. Maybe I've asked too large of a question." As observed it is an 'entire life' and anyone would be hard-pressed to summarize the entirety of it in a short conversation.

He'd have to start smaller.

"Daniel Sullivan, then." He dips his head in a kind of greeting. "It's a pleasure to finally have your full name."

[choosetoforget]

Connor says his name, his full name, with all the knowledge behind it, and Daniel is all pride and smiles. "The pleasure is all mine," he tells him. "Considering I've been anticipating telling you for a long time."

He leans his head on his shoulder. "I believe I was named after my grandfather. I never met him."

[brutallyefficient]

And Connor shifts in such a way to try and make the gesture more comfortable. Affectionate gestures like that give him the sense that...everything is fine. Maybe he doesn't need to be as concerned about having left.

Even though it's very obvious things have changed while he was gone.

"Oh?" He says, chipper. "Do you know anything else about him?"

[choosetoforget]

"No. Only that he was Irish, but married an English woman. He was my father's father. My sister, Hazel, was named for my mother's mother. I suppose my parents couldn't be bothered to think of something more creative," he laughs.

He lets out a breath, letting the stress out as well. Like Connor, he has his reservations. His worries. But this all seems - normal. "I saw them. One last time when I went to gather Hazel. They didn't even argue when I told them I was taking her and not returning. I think - they were relieved."

[brutallyefficient]

"It can be difficult for some to be able to handle those who have needs outside of what is considered the norm." Not that he has an adequate idea of what their capabilities are... but it must be significant if they are willing to give her up.

Perhaps... it's something he can help with?

"I'd like to meet your sister." Connor offers optimistically. "She is so important to you; it's a shame I've never met her before."

[choosetoforget]

"I'd like that, too!" he says with perhaps a little too much enthusiasm. "She's out for the afternoon, but if you're staying - "

Which he had been hoping, of course.

"She knows all about you," he admits with some small nervousness.