Weekend Ponderings

[abetterlie]

Between Harry in California to see Kara and Evan in New York with his mother, Connor had a lot of unexpected free time at his hand during the weekend. Talking with Cordelia about the Lex issue helped a bit, but he still found himself somewhere between anger, disappointment and renewed attacks of self loathing

Comments

[osborn_heir]

Harry is a little tired by the time the jet lands in Gotham. He spent the last two days hanging out with Kara and touring Los Angeles and San Francisco. He actually thinks he would rather invest in a home in San Francisco than Los Angeles, but he isn't sure he won't do both or neither. He has made a call to his realtor to send him some proposals

[abetterlie]

"It's still hot," Connor confirms, feeling oddly happy about the relaxed and casual way of Harry's greeting. The very fact it's casual is a testimony to their more than a year together, and the fact they can relax about each other. He never made it that far with either Cordelia or Justine.

"And it's all Pizza Hawaii... kidding. Not a single pine apple on it. Speaking of, how was SoCal?"

[osborn_heir]

He can't resist petting both of the dogs so he hops to his feet to head into the kitchen so he can wash his hands. He noticed that Connor's water bottle was practically empty so he grabs two bottles from the fridge, handing one to Connor before sitting on the couch and opening the pizza box.

"Hot. Really hot. Though we went to San Francisco early today and it was cooler there. I'm thinking of investing in a place on the beach out in Malibu, but man I kind of want to invest in a San Francisco home too. It's gorgeous there." He flashes Connor a wry smile and adds, "Plus San Francisco loves hot young gay couples like us. We'd be in our element."

Which is actually true. He pauses to devour a slice of pizza and follows it with a couple long sips of the water. He avoided California pizza when he was there. He just can't get into their health food stuff.

"How were things here?" He's already on the second slice. He wasn't kidding when he said he was starving.

[abetterlie]

"When someone figures out public transport to the moon," Connor says, watching Harry eat and drinking his water, "and you and I are on the first shuttle, the first thing I expect you to do once we arrive is to buy real estate."

Harry's penchant for buying houses and apartments is on a scale with the one for buying wardrobe, but unlike the later, which Connor only finds amusing when the wardrobe in question isn't inflicted on him, the former is a trait he doesn't find just endearing but also relates to. Because it's simultanously about wanting to see the world and wanting homes.

"You know, I've actually never been in San Franciso. Either way."

Meaning in real and fake memories.

"They're sort of the enemy if you're from Los Angeles."

Not that Harry Osborn, sworn foe to all things Chicago, would know about such feuds. Truth to tell, Connor is very curious about San Francisco. He's also relieved to hear the weekend went so well, which presumably means Kara is on the mend, and Harry didn't run into either of his parents or Cordelia. (Earlier

[osborn_heir]

"You bet. I'll have to buy early or Bruce will buy up all of it when he finally makes time to visit during a break in his meetings," Harry teases, because real estate is always going to be a first love of his. He still has to take Connor to see all of his houses

[abetterlie]

Connor has eaten one slice before Harry arrived, but if he wants another, action is clearly called for, so he exploits strength and speed to get the next slice before they have all disappeared

[osborn_heir]

Harry frowns at Connor's answer because it sounds like he's taking Natalie's side. It also is because he has a point. Evan is in constant motion. He pretty much only settles down when one of them are reading to him.

"Then we'll take him to the central park zoo and for Italian ices. I want to bring him by to see Aunt May, Peter and Mary Jane too."

He still thinks it's possible the toddler would be okay with watching a show, but he isn't going to risk it right now. Especially when there are plenty of other things they can do with him while has the week off from school.

Content from the pizza, he kicks off his shoes and lays back on the couch, reaching down to pick Armani up so he can lay on his stomach. Bailey of course lays down at Connor's feet.

"So, we going to leave the Lex thing as a don't ask and don't tell thing? I'm cool with that, but if so you gotta stop brooding, pretty boy."

[abetterlie]

And that would be the elephant in the room. Well. Connor bends down to scratch Bailey behind the ears.

"I'll make an effort to stop, but I'm genetically disposed that way," he says, which could be referring to brooding, or to other things. Straithening up, and looking at Harry again, he adds:

"You're sure you're cool with that?"

Continuing to live with me, and all the baggage I bring, now that you know exactly what it is, being the obvious subtext here. Because what it basically comes to is that another thing he is aware of he shares with both his natural parents and Daniel Holtz is an inclination to make unilateral decisions for people he loves, but this is something he can actually do something about and fight. He made a promise to Harry when he gave him that ring. Walking away might be better for Harry and Evan in the long term, but it would also mean breaking that promise. Maybe it's a weakness, and maybe it's him being not either of his fathers, but as long as Harry still wants him around, he won't be able to go.

[osborn_heir]

"Yeah, I'm sure." And the truth is he is positive this isn't something they want to talk about. Because being caught in the middle is a horrible position to be in. And Harry may feel caught in the middle between Lex and Kara and of course Connor and his parents, but Connor is clearly in the same position

[abetterlie]

See, this is why Harry Osborn fits right in with the Aurelians. He has just the right cruelty and penchant for mind games. Because at first, Connor believes him, and wonders how the hell to reply to that one. Think of his expression as the one a person would get when forced to explain about the birds and the bees to a six years old child in the company of four vicars and six nuns.

"Um, Harry..."

Then he catches sight of a certain familiar glint in Harry's eyes, and it dawns on him that he's being had.

"Osborn, you're so going to pay for this," he exclaims, puts Armani from Harry's chest to the floor in one superfast move and then uses one hand to hold Harry down on the couch while starting a merciless tickling attack with the other.

And of course he knows all the right spots.

[osborn_heir]

Harry is cracking up, but more from Connor's reaction than the actual tickling. Because seriously the look on Connor's face? A million times better than the time Harry tried to convince him that he entered Connor into a reality show make-over where he would compete with other significant others of celebrity and society types for most dramatic makeover all in the name of charity of course

[abetterlie]

He is indeed. He has also pushed one of the magic buttons.

"That's a challenge, Guitar Boy," Connor calls after Harry. "Today is the night your winning streak will end!"

Actually, he's none too sure about that, because Harry really rules at this particular video game. But that isn't the point. Playing a game, unwiring, just hanging out: it's that sometimes most elusive and sometimes best of all things - a shared life.

Worries about clothes, toddlers, and other relations are for tomorrow. And maybe another entry in the "pranks of Harry's I won't fall again for" list. Complete with revenge plan. This is today, and this is why he's sure, right here, right now, to have made the right decision.

Who can walk away from the soon to be without his hair gel original air guitar rock star?