Speak of the Sea [Hankcon AU] (Sequel)

ūnus; look away pt. 1

A lot had happened within the last 72 hours. The pair had taken a one-way flight to mainland Europe, and were en-route to Scotland, as Hank "had an aunt that lived up there", but Connor wasn't sure if he believed him or not.

They had been on the road for the last 12 hours, driving through Germany, on their way to France. They'd spent the night before in a sleazy motel in Leipzig, which looked... a lot better online.

The sound of the engine being cut off set alarm bells off in Connor's head, waking him up violently. "Relax. We're at a gas station." He looked over to the driver's seat, seeing Hank's faint smile in the half light.

His life had been turned upside down since he'd met Hank, but he just knew he wouldn't have it any other way.

"Do you want a drink or something? A coffee?" He pondered the question, realising the time was 2am and they probably weren't making a motel stop tonight.

"A coffee would be great. I---I'll come with you," Connor said between a yawn, but noticed the battering of rain against the windscreen as his hand reached for the door handle.

"I'd stay dry if I were you, mer-boy." Hank laughed softly, leaning over and kissing his cheek. "I'm just messin'. I'll be back in 10." He got out of the car soon after, but left the keys in the ignition for the heat to stay on.

Connor couldn't help but smile. It was the little things humans did that truly did amuse him.

The ten minutes that ensued were that of the longest of his life. He tried keeping himself warm but the faint blow of hot air from the dashboard didn't prove too helpful. Occasionally, glipses of other headlights caught his attention, and he kept thinking the worst.

What if Hank had left him here?

What if he was stranded alone in the middle of Germany?

He thought about it, and if things did end up in the most dire circumstances...

He could always just live underneath the sea, and not have to face any human ever again.

He was so lost in this fictional scenario he'd orchestrated in his head, that the opening of the car door caught him off-guard, and caused him to scream out of pure fear.

"Jeez--!! Connor, it's me! Jesus Christ," His eyes set on the shadowy figure of Hank, who placed a cupholder of two coffees on the dashboard as he got in to the car. "Why are you so damn jumpy today?" He asked, a little chuckle going along with it.

Connor stared at him, noticing he'd been soaked by the rain. "I---Well... I was just thinking, and the door opening scared me as I wasn't expecting it." He mumbled, making him laugh again.

"You're cute." Hank smirked a little, looking to the drinks. "The cups are kinda dry, but... I'd let yours, uh... dry off a little more. You know..." He looked back over to him. "Unless you also come with some magic powers I don't know about," He laughed again, Connor raising an eyebrow.

"I'm a merman, Hank. Not a wizard. Then again... I don't really know what a wizard is..." He trailed off, but made himself laugh. "Not even one special power?" Hank asked, his expression changing as his partner shrugged.

"And I thought this whole mermaid thing was real cool before," He sighed over-dramatically.

Connor couldn't help but laugh again, and decided it was worth showing off a little bit.

With a flick of the wrist, the damp coffee cup proceeded to dry off in front of them; a vapour coming off it. It was instantaneous, but the look on Hank's face made the moment even better.

"Something like that, maybe?" He asked, grinning at him. "Wha-How did you do that?" Hank laughed in amazement, looking at him with wild, staring eyes. He shrugged again, picking up his cup and taking a sip before replying.

"It's second nature. I've always been able to. Though, I've only really gotten the hang of it within the last couple years." Connor explained, seeing his partner's expression look even more wowed.

"So... You can heat things up, what else can you do?" Hank asked curiously, but was just smirked at. "Maybe I'll show you later on." Connor's reply was cheeky, and Hank's fake annoyance made him laugh out loud.

"Let's just get to France, eh?" Hank nudged him gently, taking another sip of his own coffee before putting it back, starting the engine up again.

_____________

The sun slowly crept up as they drove through countrysides and small towns, but Hank was the only one awake again. His boyfriend had fallen asleep again, but he didn't mind. He knew travelling was exhausting, especially if you've never done it in your life.

In Connor's case, all he knew was the sea up until a few months ago. His whole life had turned upside down... hopefully, in a good way.

A good few hours had passed since their pitstop, and they had crossed the French-German border. They were now en-route to Calais, and from there, to England, and then a drive up north.

Hank had a lot of time to think whilst driving; the silence and lack of conversation gave him no other choice. He knew he was giving up a lot at home, back in the States... but everything had been taken care of.

Running away was their only option - he wanted Connor to be safe, and if that meant giving up everything he knew, then he wasn't going to change his mind.

His gut instincts told him to trust him - he was different. He wasn't like any other person he had ever come across in his life, and this adventure for the rest of their lives, to him, was second to none.

He'd quit his job and transferred overseas, leaving Waters confused, but also, not phased whatsoever, and he hadn't mentioned anything to his parents. He didn't get on with them anyway, but he knew he should have at least, probably, mentioned something...

It was too late for that.

Around 4,778 miles too late.

He was putting everything on this adventure with Connor. He didn't know what was going to happen a week, a month, even a year from now...

But he just knew, this is what he wanted more than anything in the world.