(no subject)

[socrowdedinhere]

*The next day, Connor has made Darnell breakfast, and Darnell is going through all the 

paperwork he was given for Connor. He’s going to be a hefty $12k, but his jobs, both in 

the States and in England, have paid him well over the years, and he lives relatively 

modestly anyway, so... he can do it. It’ll drain away his savings, but that can always be 

rebuilt, not like he’s close to retiring anytime soon, and as a federal agent he has a very 

good pension for him in the states, not to mention what he’ll get from MI5. He’ll be fine. 

The rest of the paperwork are various things he’ll need to know: how to get Connor 

repaired. How to get hold of and replace Connor’s Thirium and how often to do so 

(barring damage needs). General maintenance Darnell can perform. Agreements not to go 

poking around at Connor’s design, or sharing details of Connor’s build, no keeping or 

selling spare or damaged parts, etc. There’s an agreement to speak with his superiors in 

London about accepting a trial android of their own (though the agreement acknowledges 

that Darnell can’t make them say yes, he merely has to try), and there are even documents 

Darnell will need for air travel with Connor. Looks like someone anticipated Darnell 

wanting Connor as a passenger rather than checked property, and the airlines (they’ve 

already discovered) weren’t comfortable with putting something that looks human (and 

could potentially snoop through luggage) into the luggage hold. As he’s finishing that up, 

there’s a knock at the door.* 

Connor: Coming. *figuring it’s Tony, and when he opens it and sees that it is, he smiles* Mister 

Barrett. Please, come in. *will step aside, holding the door for Tony to come in.* 

Comments

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: *small wry smile.* You’re my brother. *of course Darnell is special.* Yes, I was going to suggest as much today or tomorrow. *would offer to make that call, but yeah, he knows that wouldn’t work.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *he's been calling Connor for some time, but this is only the second time Connor's said it, and it makes him GRIN - nods* Hand me my phone? *might as well do that now*

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: *likes seeinf that smile. He’ll fetch Darnell’s phone* Do you need any of your reservation paperwork.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: Thanks. And...well, let me get a hold of Thomas and see if he can finagle something for us. *it's nighttime in London, but not yet an unsociably late hour - he makes the call, explaining yesterday and his current limitations...and the new sitution with Connor. Thomas promises to take care of arrangements and looks forward to meeting Connor. Darnell will wish him well, say hi to the family, and he'll see everyone soon*

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: ...He sounds like a good person. *nervous and excited to meet Thomas.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: He really is. He's been an invaluable friend over the years. *little grin* You look a little nervous, Connor.

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: *sheepish little smile* I... guess I kind of am. I... care what others may think of me now.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *grins* He'll like you, Connor. At worst, he'll be faintly annoyed at the added work, but it's only because he'll worry about you as much as he does about me. He's.../very/ British. *said fondly*

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: *soft laugh.* I look forward to meeting him.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *nods* You'll like him. *and they'll settle for the rest of the evening*

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: *will settle by Darnelk, just making sure his brother is cared for, and will later move him to bed.*

===

*The weekend has come, and they’ve worked out a ride with Tony to go see Cat and her family. Connor is as attentive today as he has been since the incident and will support Darnell from car to house.*
Richard: *holding the door for them.* Glad to see you on your feet, bro.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: Limping along, but I'm managing. I have an excellent caretaker, too.
*The kids come running out, worried about Uncle Dell. They're glad he's okay, and that Connor is too. Bree will take the laundry basket to get it inside.*

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: *helps Darnell over to the couch and gets him settled.* Cat? Is there anything I can assist with?

[neverasked4this]

Cat: Dinner's in the slow cooker, so that's taken care of. You can help me sort laundry, though.

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: Gladly. *he’ll step over to do so. He’s assisted with Darnell’s laundry a few times, so he’ll step in, scan what piles are already started, and will start sorting accordingly... and is he humming softly? Yes, it’s very soft, but anyone who comes close enough will hear it, it’s likely a song Darnell likes and listens to often.*

[neverasked4this]

Cat: ...? *cocks a sideways glance at him with a little grin* That's new. *then bit of sad tone* So you'll be heading back to CyberLife, what, next week? Week after? I know Darnell's flight is two weeks tomorrow.

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: Hm? *was he doing something new? Oh! He glances back at Darnell...who is currently surrounded by sympathetic children.* Ah, actually, we have a change of plans. *since everyone is out here...should he say? Unless Darnell gives indication not to, Connor will continue.* It turns out I’ll be staying with Darnell.

[neverasked4this]

*Darnell's on the couch with Bree glued to one hip and TJ to the other. He looks over at the question...and GRINS, nodding for Connor to get to make the announcement. Cat gets an 'oh?' look on her face, glancing at Darnell. Tony's grinning. The kids GASP*
Alex: Really!? Does that mean you passed the test?
TJ: Are you staying forever?

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: I ah... I don’t know if I technically passed the tests, but CyberLife offered to allow Darnell to purchase me, so yes... I’ll be staying forever. *looks around, a hopeful little smile on his face.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *GRINNING, nods* I've already signed the paperwork and made payment arrangements. He'll go to England with me when I leave, but we'll keep in contact via Skype just like I've been doing and he'll come home with me during the summers like I always do.
*The kids SQUEAL, Bree and TJ jumping down off the couch to join Alex in GLOMPING ONTO Connor, possibly even to the point of knocking him off his feet.*
TJ: Are you Uncle Connor, now?
Bree: No, not unless they get married. *they know that any girlfriend of Lin's isn't 'aunt' unless/until they get married*
Alex: You gonna get married, then? If you're gonna be living together from now on...
TJ: I don't care! I wanna call him Uncle Connor.
Darnell: *isn't saying anything because after a look of SHOCK and turning bright red...he's laughing too hard*
Cat: *also breathless from laughter*
Tony: *face buried in one hand, snickering and shaking his head*

[socrowdedinhere]

Richard: *snickering as he gives Cat’s shoulder a light bump with his own.* They must get this from you.
Connor: *soft gasp and a laugh as he’s knocked onto his butt. He wraps his arms around the kids and hugs them to him. And then he’s quite stunned. First by them wanting to call him uncle, and then by the talk to marriage to Darnell.* No. Ah, no we’re not getting married. He’s my- *he cuts off, suddenly very aware of what he was about to say in front of one of Darnell’s /real/ siblings... he glances at Cat, and then at Darnell before finally finishing slightly quieter than he’s started.* -brother. *he peeks at Cat again, and even at Tony. He knows they accept him, but will they accept him has family? His LED has become an anxious yellow.*

[neverasked4this]

Cat: *to Richard with a wry grin* No, they get it from their butch aunt. *raises a brow again at 'brother,' glancing at Darnell*
Darnell: *looks back at Connor, grinning* You are. *to Cat and Tony* Everyone deserves a forever home, a family to call their own.
Tony: That they do. *to Connor* Does that mean I have another son? *doesn't want to assume...even if he's already been treating him as such*

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: *the easy responses let Connor relax, LED returning to blue.* I would not want to assume, but if you would have me, I would be honored. *he hugs the kids a little tighter, looking between Cat and Tony.*

[neverasked4this]

*The kids CLING back until their granddad steps up, then they shift back.*
Tony: *offers a hand to pull Connor to his feet* The honor is mine, son. *pulls him into a /hug/*
Cat: *steps up to grip his shoulder* Welcome home, little bro.

[socrowdedinhere]

Connor: *looks up at him...and accepts the hand up. The hug is a surprise, but je tucks into it easily. He glances at Cat, smiling.* Thank you. All of you.
Richard: *smiling his approval.* As Darnell said, everyone needs a forever home. We’re glad to have you in the family, Connor.