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

[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.