Sleepytime Coffee
Mar. 14th, 2005 10:35 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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xp_logsBecause he’s a big softie, Hank brings Lorna banana bread and warm milk. They chat about Alex, love, white picket fences and swear each other to secrecy. It’s all very cute.
Hank tapped gently on Lorna's door. "Oh beautiful baker of birthday cakes?" he called. "I have come to pay homage!" He'd come armed, too... with treats! Low-fat and low-sugar, in deference to Lorna's preferences, but still tasty.
Lorna looked up from the essay she was grading with a grin and flicked the door open with barely more than a blink an eye, “Come on in. I love it when my subjects bring me tribute.”
"Indeed! I bring you banana bread - baked to my mother's recipe, with honey instead of sugar and so on - and the coffee-lover's answer to hot chocolate." He offered her the mug. "Warmed low-fat milk, flavoured with coffee-essence and a little honey." He smiled. "You give us so many treats, I thought I'd make some for you."
“Wow, people baking for me. This is awesome. C’mere, sit.” She patted the couch next to her, gathering up the essays on the table and stacking them in a neat pile. She accepted the mug with a grin and sipped it. “You won’t hate me if I dump this into my mug will you?” She indicated a half full cup of coffee on the table. Time of day was never a factor in Lorna’s quest for caffeine.
"It won't taste at all the same if you do," Hank said sternly. "But I suppose if you must." He offered her the plate of banana bread, taking a slice for himself as he put it down beside her. "We haven't had much of a chance to talk since I got better, what with your grievous loss of the kitchen, and so on. I thought we could catch up a little."
She quickly mixed the two and set them aside after a satisfied sip. “I always have time for my favourite fuzzy blue doc.” Lorna selected the smallest slice of bread and nibbled at it, setting the plate on the table next to her mugs. “Mmm, you’re giving me this recipe, you know.”
"I'll be happy to." Hank smiled. "My mother's been working on it for years, trying to subtract fat and sugar without losing flavour. She's never been a fan of low-fat herself, but if it means keeping her Queen of the Bake-Sale crown..."
“I’ll send her some secret recipes. She’ll reign forever.” Lorna was already creating a mental catalogue. Granted, some of them were anything but low-cal but Lorna didn’t eat everything she made. Not even most of it.
"She'd love that. And she might reciprocate." Hank grinned. "And, speaking of family, did Alex tell you that we adopted each other? Since I've always thought of Scott as the brother I never had, and Scott is, in fact, the brother Alex always had, adopting each other only seemed logical."
“No, he neglected to mention that. No kidding? That’s fantastic. I get the feeling he would love to have a huge family like the Guthries or the Madroxes.” Lorna grinned fondly.
Oh, well, THAT was an opening that it would be a crime to ignore. "I agree," he said cheerfully. "And I think he'd make a great dad. Don't you?"
Lorna choked on her banana bread. After Hank had patted her helpfully on the back and she’d cleared her throat with a sip of coffee, she glared at him. “Ooh, that was mean.”
Hank snickered. "You should have seen HIS reaction. He nearly ran away." He smirked. "Mind you, I'm sure he'll be a great dad... in, say, six or seven years?"
“I have it on good authority that’s much the way he reacted to being asked if he was going to marry me.” Six or seven years…she’d be 27 or so. They’d be done with school and…where? Here at the school? In Hawaii? Or maybe California. Not that they would be able to afford either. Would they even be together? “Um…right. Yeah, many years.”
Hank sipped his own hot-chocolate-type-coffee, and gave her a long, serious look. "As an elder brother," he said seriously. "It is, of course, my duty to inquire as to your intentions. I do hope you intend to make an honest man of him, at some point."
Lorna felt herself blush and shook her head. “I…If you tell him what I’m about to say, I’ll skin you for a rug,” she warned, “I want him to ask. And if he did? I’d marry him tomorrow. But don’t you dare tell him because you think other people asking freaks him out? Hoo boy.”
Hank blinked. "My goodness... I had no idea." He smiled. "I promise I won't breath a word, but I think it's very sweet.."
“It’s very girly. You know how some women have those binder things? With their wedding plans? I used to have one, when I was like twelve. And house plans with wall colors all picked out.” She laughed and shook her head. “Laura Ashley, very frightening. But yeah, I wouldn’t dare tell Alex that.”
"I have dreamed of wife, children, and laboratory with white picket fence since I was about the same age," Hank admitted. "I have several alternative proposal plans worked out. From when I was about sixteen. They're a little pitiful."
“Laura Ashley,” Lorna repeated, “Unless your plans involved giant floral prints, you’re already doing better than me. From what I see these days, your plans are going to involve how to juggle a dozen wives and keep them from finding out about each other.”
Hank blushed. "Really, I'd settle for only one. I'd settle for a girlfriend. Hell, I'd settle for a date who doesn't try to kill me." Of course, the *goal* was Madelyn in an elaborate white gown, but if he couldn't have it...
“Yeah, you know, I’m kinda upset I didn’t get a shot at her myself. Maddy and Remy hogged all the fun and evil bitch hitting.” Lorna’s eyes narrowed, as if imagining it. Then she shook her head to dismiss the image. “So, any prospects that I can help you seduce? Because the thing about the way to a man’s heart goes the other way too.”
Hank blushed hard. "Er... well... there is someone who... well. Who I'm sort of admiring from afar, really, since I have the reckless courage of a crippled chipmunk when it comes to women I actually care for...." He reached hastily for the banana bread, before his mouth got him into any more trouble.
Lorna sat up straight, “Seriously? Like in the mansion? Who?”
Hank hid as much of his face behind his cup as he could. "Er... someone. A female someone." Really, that was PLENTY of clues...
“Yes, so I gathered. Who? Does she live here? There aren’t that many single women here. Remy and I were just talking about…oh.” Lorna blinked, remembering that conversation. “It’s Maddy isn’t it?”
Hank covered his eyes. "Oh, god, is it that obvious?"
“Well it was that or Ororo. Like I said, Remy and I were talking about it. There’s not much singleness going on in the mansion.” She hugged him impulsively, “You’d be great for her.”
“You're not to tell her. Or hint. Or tell another living soul," Hank said anxiously, returning the hug. "Not a word." He paused. "Although if a miracle should happen and she should say something..."
“I’ll be subtle about encouraging her.” Lorna promised. “Just nudges in the right direction.”
"No nudging!" Hank gave her a panicked look. "She's smart! She'll know!"
“Have a little faith, doc! I’m a professional nudger.” She grinned and patted him on the head. “Only if she says something first.”
"Well... maybe then." Hank relaxed slightly. "I wasn't going to tell anyone but Moira. And Scott. And then Jean. I'm definitely not telling anyone else." He grinned ruefully. "As hard as it is to keep a secret in this mansion..."
Lorna snickered, “You go right ahead with that oh so secret plan.” She yawned and curled up, leaning against him. “It sounds like a winner.”
"I have no plan," Hank admitted. "Aside from pining away." He put an arm around her shoulders, smiling down at her. "I hope that both you and Alex know how lucky you are."
“I’m lucky. He’s not so lucky though since I get him and all he gets is me.” She chuckled and yawned again. “You know, I wasn’t tired when I was drinking straight coffee,” she accused with mock-anger.
Hank grinned. "I went and distracted you, did I?" He shook his head at her. "And Alex is very lucky to have you. And I know he appreciates his good fortune, because he said so."
“Oh good, the mind control drugs are still working then. Excellent.” She closed her eyes, “I didn’t believe we’d last this long, you know. When we first got together I thought he’d be done with me in three months.”
"Now that's just silly talk," Hank said mildly. "What man of sense and taste could ever tire of you? Beautiful, intelligent, kind, generous with the foodstuffs..."
“I thought he’d find someone better. Thinner, prettier, not so much trouble. Someone his age,” she explained, her eyes still closed. “I thought he was too good for me.”
"Now that was very foolish. You are perfectly proportioned, exquisitely beautiful, and if a woman isn't a little trouble now and then, how's a guy to prove himself worthy of her?" He kissed the top of her head gently. "He's just lucky I'm too much a gentleman to go around swiping my brothers' girlfriends."
“I was 19 with a fledgling eating disorder and plenty of self-image issues. I think I was entitled to be stupid. These days I’m down to just one of the three so at least I’m making progress.” She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a hug. “Plus I’ve got lots of people who affirm my self-worth.”
"I'll tell you what." He smiled down at her. "In ten years, if we're both single, we'll run away to Switzerland together and invent a better chocolate," he said, returning the hug warmly. "and the world will beat a path to our door."
“Deal but I thought that was a better mousetrap?” She opened her eyes to look up at him and had to stifle another yawn. “I was grading papers before you showed up with your sleepy making beverage of doom, you know.”
"They can wait. A good night's sleep will do you good." Hank grinned. "And you can't tell me that chocolate isn't better than any old mousetrap. Besides, I did the mousetrap when I was nine."
“Don’t wanna sleep. Alex isn’t back yet.” She pouted up at him. “Chocolate is definitely better, you overachieving achiever you.”
"I'm sure Alex will be able to find you when he gets back." Hank reached down to tickle her side with a fingertip. "And you need sleep. You're making sleepyface."
She smiled in spite of herself, “Am not.” But she sat up anyway and ran her hand through her hair. “All right, I’ll sleep. But only because you sabotaged my caffeine.”
Hank hung his head, doing his best puppy look. "I'm a bad Hank," he said solemnly.
Lorna giggled. “Terribly naughty.” She stood up. “Okay, out with you. You’ve put me to sleep and I’m not going to ask you to tuck me in.”
"I'm going, I'm going." Hank smiled at her. "Take care of yourself, my dear... and of my little brother."
“I intend to, as long as he’ll have me.” She walked him to the door and gave him another hug before he left. “I’m glad you’re back in action. Sick Hank is not of the cool.”
"No, indeed not." He hugged her back gently. "And if he ever gives you up, I'm going to do some serious checking into the possibilities of bodysnatching, because the real Alex isn't that stupid."
“You do that. Good night, doc.” She grinned up at him.
"Goodnight, my dear. Sweet dreams."
Hank tapped gently on Lorna's door. "Oh beautiful baker of birthday cakes?" he called. "I have come to pay homage!" He'd come armed, too... with treats! Low-fat and low-sugar, in deference to Lorna's preferences, but still tasty.
Lorna looked up from the essay she was grading with a grin and flicked the door open with barely more than a blink an eye, “Come on in. I love it when my subjects bring me tribute.”
"Indeed! I bring you banana bread - baked to my mother's recipe, with honey instead of sugar and so on - and the coffee-lover's answer to hot chocolate." He offered her the mug. "Warmed low-fat milk, flavoured with coffee-essence and a little honey." He smiled. "You give us so many treats, I thought I'd make some for you."
“Wow, people baking for me. This is awesome. C’mere, sit.” She patted the couch next to her, gathering up the essays on the table and stacking them in a neat pile. She accepted the mug with a grin and sipped it. “You won’t hate me if I dump this into my mug will you?” She indicated a half full cup of coffee on the table. Time of day was never a factor in Lorna’s quest for caffeine.
"It won't taste at all the same if you do," Hank said sternly. "But I suppose if you must." He offered her the plate of banana bread, taking a slice for himself as he put it down beside her. "We haven't had much of a chance to talk since I got better, what with your grievous loss of the kitchen, and so on. I thought we could catch up a little."
She quickly mixed the two and set them aside after a satisfied sip. “I always have time for my favourite fuzzy blue doc.” Lorna selected the smallest slice of bread and nibbled at it, setting the plate on the table next to her mugs. “Mmm, you’re giving me this recipe, you know.”
"I'll be happy to." Hank smiled. "My mother's been working on it for years, trying to subtract fat and sugar without losing flavour. She's never been a fan of low-fat herself, but if it means keeping her Queen of the Bake-Sale crown..."
“I’ll send her some secret recipes. She’ll reign forever.” Lorna was already creating a mental catalogue. Granted, some of them were anything but low-cal but Lorna didn’t eat everything she made. Not even most of it.
"She'd love that. And she might reciprocate." Hank grinned. "And, speaking of family, did Alex tell you that we adopted each other? Since I've always thought of Scott as the brother I never had, and Scott is, in fact, the brother Alex always had, adopting each other only seemed logical."
“No, he neglected to mention that. No kidding? That’s fantastic. I get the feeling he would love to have a huge family like the Guthries or the Madroxes.” Lorna grinned fondly.
Oh, well, THAT was an opening that it would be a crime to ignore. "I agree," he said cheerfully. "And I think he'd make a great dad. Don't you?"
Lorna choked on her banana bread. After Hank had patted her helpfully on the back and she’d cleared her throat with a sip of coffee, she glared at him. “Ooh, that was mean.”
Hank snickered. "You should have seen HIS reaction. He nearly ran away." He smirked. "Mind you, I'm sure he'll be a great dad... in, say, six or seven years?"
“I have it on good authority that’s much the way he reacted to being asked if he was going to marry me.” Six or seven years…she’d be 27 or so. They’d be done with school and…where? Here at the school? In Hawaii? Or maybe California. Not that they would be able to afford either. Would they even be together? “Um…right. Yeah, many years.”
Hank sipped his own hot-chocolate-type-coffee, and gave her a long, serious look. "As an elder brother," he said seriously. "It is, of course, my duty to inquire as to your intentions. I do hope you intend to make an honest man of him, at some point."
Lorna felt herself blush and shook her head. “I…If you tell him what I’m about to say, I’ll skin you for a rug,” she warned, “I want him to ask. And if he did? I’d marry him tomorrow. But don’t you dare tell him because you think other people asking freaks him out? Hoo boy.”
Hank blinked. "My goodness... I had no idea." He smiled. "I promise I won't breath a word, but I think it's very sweet.."
“It’s very girly. You know how some women have those binder things? With their wedding plans? I used to have one, when I was like twelve. And house plans with wall colors all picked out.” She laughed and shook her head. “Laura Ashley, very frightening. But yeah, I wouldn’t dare tell Alex that.”
"I have dreamed of wife, children, and laboratory with white picket fence since I was about the same age," Hank admitted. "I have several alternative proposal plans worked out. From when I was about sixteen. They're a little pitiful."
“Laura Ashley,” Lorna repeated, “Unless your plans involved giant floral prints, you’re already doing better than me. From what I see these days, your plans are going to involve how to juggle a dozen wives and keep them from finding out about each other.”
Hank blushed. "Really, I'd settle for only one. I'd settle for a girlfriend. Hell, I'd settle for a date who doesn't try to kill me." Of course, the *goal* was Madelyn in an elaborate white gown, but if he couldn't have it...
“Yeah, you know, I’m kinda upset I didn’t get a shot at her myself. Maddy and Remy hogged all the fun and evil bitch hitting.” Lorna’s eyes narrowed, as if imagining it. Then she shook her head to dismiss the image. “So, any prospects that I can help you seduce? Because the thing about the way to a man’s heart goes the other way too.”
Hank blushed hard. "Er... well... there is someone who... well. Who I'm sort of admiring from afar, really, since I have the reckless courage of a crippled chipmunk when it comes to women I actually care for...." He reached hastily for the banana bread, before his mouth got him into any more trouble.
Lorna sat up straight, “Seriously? Like in the mansion? Who?”
Hank hid as much of his face behind his cup as he could. "Er... someone. A female someone." Really, that was PLENTY of clues...
“Yes, so I gathered. Who? Does she live here? There aren’t that many single women here. Remy and I were just talking about…oh.” Lorna blinked, remembering that conversation. “It’s Maddy isn’t it?”
Hank covered his eyes. "Oh, god, is it that obvious?"
“Well it was that or Ororo. Like I said, Remy and I were talking about it. There’s not much singleness going on in the mansion.” She hugged him impulsively, “You’d be great for her.”
“You're not to tell her. Or hint. Or tell another living soul," Hank said anxiously, returning the hug. "Not a word." He paused. "Although if a miracle should happen and she should say something..."
“I’ll be subtle about encouraging her.” Lorna promised. “Just nudges in the right direction.”
"No nudging!" Hank gave her a panicked look. "She's smart! She'll know!"
“Have a little faith, doc! I’m a professional nudger.” She grinned and patted him on the head. “Only if she says something first.”
"Well... maybe then." Hank relaxed slightly. "I wasn't going to tell anyone but Moira. And Scott. And then Jean. I'm definitely not telling anyone else." He grinned ruefully. "As hard as it is to keep a secret in this mansion..."
Lorna snickered, “You go right ahead with that oh so secret plan.” She yawned and curled up, leaning against him. “It sounds like a winner.”
"I have no plan," Hank admitted. "Aside from pining away." He put an arm around her shoulders, smiling down at her. "I hope that both you and Alex know how lucky you are."
“I’m lucky. He’s not so lucky though since I get him and all he gets is me.” She chuckled and yawned again. “You know, I wasn’t tired when I was drinking straight coffee,” she accused with mock-anger.
Hank grinned. "I went and distracted you, did I?" He shook his head at her. "And Alex is very lucky to have you. And I know he appreciates his good fortune, because he said so."
“Oh good, the mind control drugs are still working then. Excellent.” She closed her eyes, “I didn’t believe we’d last this long, you know. When we first got together I thought he’d be done with me in three months.”
"Now that's just silly talk," Hank said mildly. "What man of sense and taste could ever tire of you? Beautiful, intelligent, kind, generous with the foodstuffs..."
“I thought he’d find someone better. Thinner, prettier, not so much trouble. Someone his age,” she explained, her eyes still closed. “I thought he was too good for me.”
"Now that was very foolish. You are perfectly proportioned, exquisitely beautiful, and if a woman isn't a little trouble now and then, how's a guy to prove himself worthy of her?" He kissed the top of her head gently. "He's just lucky I'm too much a gentleman to go around swiping my brothers' girlfriends."
“I was 19 with a fledgling eating disorder and plenty of self-image issues. I think I was entitled to be stupid. These days I’m down to just one of the three so at least I’m making progress.” She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a hug. “Plus I’ve got lots of people who affirm my self-worth.”
"I'll tell you what." He smiled down at her. "In ten years, if we're both single, we'll run away to Switzerland together and invent a better chocolate," he said, returning the hug warmly. "and the world will beat a path to our door."
“Deal but I thought that was a better mousetrap?” She opened her eyes to look up at him and had to stifle another yawn. “I was grading papers before you showed up with your sleepy making beverage of doom, you know.”
"They can wait. A good night's sleep will do you good." Hank grinned. "And you can't tell me that chocolate isn't better than any old mousetrap. Besides, I did the mousetrap when I was nine."
“Don’t wanna sleep. Alex isn’t back yet.” She pouted up at him. “Chocolate is definitely better, you overachieving achiever you.”
"I'm sure Alex will be able to find you when he gets back." Hank reached down to tickle her side with a fingertip. "And you need sleep. You're making sleepyface."
She smiled in spite of herself, “Am not.” But she sat up anyway and ran her hand through her hair. “All right, I’ll sleep. But only because you sabotaged my caffeine.”
Hank hung his head, doing his best puppy look. "I'm a bad Hank," he said solemnly.
Lorna giggled. “Terribly naughty.” She stood up. “Okay, out with you. You’ve put me to sleep and I’m not going to ask you to tuck me in.”
"I'm going, I'm going." Hank smiled at her. "Take care of yourself, my dear... and of my little brother."
“I intend to, as long as he’ll have me.” She walked him to the door and gave him another hug before he left. “I’m glad you’re back in action. Sick Hank is not of the cool.”
"No, indeed not." He hugged her back gently. "And if he ever gives you up, I'm going to do some serious checking into the possibilities of bodysnatching, because the real Alex isn't that stupid."
“You do that. Good night, doc.” She grinned up at him.
"Goodnight, my dear. Sweet dreams."
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Date: 2005-03-15 04:28 pm (UTC)I on the other, love you both dearly! So cute guys!
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Date: 2005-03-15 04:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-03-15 09:37 pm (UTC)