MHA #16 - Saturday Morning

[itsananomaly]

It had been a really nice couple of days, Connor had ended up staying over Thursday and Friday and there had been a lot of kissing, sometimes a bit more than kissing and it had been really, really nice spending time with Connor and it had been a welcome change after how his last two relationships had ended.

When he woke up Saturday morning, he was feeling a little confused but feeling a lot better on the whole than he had after this past week and that was when he rolled over and noticed that he had company.

“Oh,” he blinked a bit, realising Connor was sleeping in the bed next to him.

Even though he wasn’t really in any hurry to move or to wake Connor, this actually felt rather nice and he was content to just lay there for a while.

[for Connor, who is modded with permission!]

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[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor had been having a rather nice dream and shifted slightly in his sleep. With a small shift and a stretch, his arm went out, searching for the pillow he had had, only for his hand to find Cutter instead. It would still take a bit for his brain to register what was actually going on.

[itsananomaly]

Now Cutter was feeling a bit lost, Connor hadn’t seemed to realise where he was. but this was also really nice and he was really in no hurry to move.

Maybe he could just wait a few more minutes and see what would happen?

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Maybe it was the light, or the noise from the apartment a few doors down, or the slightly clearer head... but Connor eventually stirred again, this time his eyes blinking open as he tried to parse together where he was.

That was when he caught Cutter's gaze and the realization of where he was started to seep into his still slightly foggy brain, the grin on his face shifting to one of surprise.

"Cutter! I... ummm..." Connor started and then pulled his hand away. "S-sorry..."

[itsananomaly]

“That’s okay,” Cutter assured him, “it …um, it was kind of nice actually,”

Now that he’d had a chance to reflect on the last few days, he’d decided that it had been nice being with someone, especially being with Connor.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Yeah? I mean... I...liked it too... a lot," Connor said with a shy grin. "You didn't... didn't mind?" Connor asked somewhat reluctantly because he figured it would be just his luck that something as amazing as being with Cutter, like that, would end up being a completely one-sided thing in the end.

[itsananomaly]

Cutter relaxed a bit at hearing that, it had been a while and he wasn’t sure if Connor had felt the same way.

“I didn’t mind,” Cutter smiled at that, trying to reassure him, “it felt right, these last couple of days …they were some of the best days I’ve had in a while,” he admitted, a little embarrassed at that personal revelation.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Well, I'm still here so that's a good sign," Connor said with a smile as he relaxed a bit more too. This was good. This was nice. "And I definitely have no complaints about the last few days, other than I wish it had happened sooner." Connor laid his hand back down, close enough to Cutter's that their fingers almost touched and waited, letting Cutter take the lead for a bit if he wanted.

[itsananomaly]

There was a brief hesitation and then Cutter moved his hand so that he was holding Connor’s.

“I …same,” he managed, “for a while now, I …you remember that conversation we had about Claudia and I told you that I could kiss you when you told me that you believed me she existed?”

At least he assumed that this Connor had had a similar conversation with his Cutter, the different timelines got a little confusing.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

There was no way Connor could keep the grin off his face as he glanced down at their hands and then back to Cutter. And the smile got even bigger, if that was possible, when Cutter brought up that little exchange.

"Aye, I remember," Connor said fondly. "I... I played it off like you were joking... cuz I was... pretty sure you were, even.... even though I wanted to hope you weren't..."

[itsananomaly]

And Cutter smiled when he saw how happy Connor looked at that , “I … I did mean it, I mean …. I wasn’t being hyperbolic about the kiss … I …I would have right then, you’ve always understood me …the only one who really did before was … “

His voice trailed off, he was not used to being so open with his feelings , “she doesn’t exist anymore,” he said softly, “I just … didn’t know how to really tell you, how I felt,” he finally admitted.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor gave Cutter's hand a small, hopefully, reassuring squeeze. He knew what a big step this was for Cutter... all of it... but especially the talking and feelings stuff.

"Makes two of us, really..." Connor said simply. "I'd always liked you, wonder what it would be like to know you better..." Connor felt his face go red as he revealed this bit he had never shared with anyone ever before. "It's... it's the main reason I even bothered showing up to your classes. The hope that you might actually show up more than one or two times in an entire semester..."

Connor hesitated a moment before continuing. "After all the messy relationships, even before the team, but especially with Caroline, and Abby... Well, with that many failed tries, ya kinda just accept it's not an option for you. Looks like I was wrong..." Here Connor looked over at Cutter and smiled, cheeks going even redder. "And I'm...I'm glad I was wrong."

[itsananomaly]

Cutter appreciated the squeeze, squeezing Connor's hand in response and then he considered what Connor was saying, he tilted his head a bit at that, “Did I really miss that many lectures?” he said with a smirk, “even though I suppose I did skip class yesterday as well,”

Then he paused as he tried to put in words what he was feeling, “I mean I don’t really have a good track record when it comes to this either,” he admitted, “I had an ex wife who preferred to travel through anomalies rather than stay married to me and then the next woman literally disappeared from the timeline,” he sighed a little, then gave a soft smile at Connor, "I'm ...I'm glad that I met you, both version's of you ..." he added, "that we can ... that we can be together,"

“I’m - I'm a little out of practice,” he said quietly, “I … “ his voice trailed off. “and I don’t want to hurt you, I know I’m not … well I’m not exactly a people person,”


That was a bit of an understatement.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Well... the whole Helen thing, that is on her really" Connor said after a moment's thought. "Her loss totally... I mean, I know you still loved her and all... but, she was the idiot not to see what a good thing she had. And Claudia... I still don't have any memory of her, personally, but if you loved her then she was definitely someone special."

Connor felt his face flush an even deeper shade of red as he thought about that last bit Cutter had said.

"You aren't going to hurt me... N...Cutter" he said with a shy grin. "I know you well enough to know that. And we'll take it slow then. Plenty of time for practice. See where it goes. Right?" Connor flashed a grin and then gave a small tug on Cutter's hand to pull him a little closer. "And I think right now, a good place to start is some breakfast. Got anything I can whip up for us or should I just order in something?"

[itsananomaly]

“Right,” and Cutter smiled warmly at that, relaxing a little and letting Connor pull him in closer, “taking it slow, I would … I would like that,” he took a deep breath at that, at how well this seemed to be going.

“Breakfast does sound pretty good right now,” he grinned, “even though, ordering in might be the better option, I'm not sure there's anything really that would make for a suitable breakfast food,” he admitted, "or any kind of food to be honest, I'm a bit behind with the food shopping,"

Then there was another pause, "and ... if you'd like to, you can call me Nick," he said softly, "I ... I'd like that,"

There were very few people who did call him by his first name but he found he did want Connor to be one of them.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Alright... Nick," he said with a grin, realizing he liked that more than he had thought he would. Connor leaned in closer for a quick kiss before pulling back just long enough to reach over and grab his phone.

"Just let me figure out what to get for us..." he said as he started typing and scrolling. "And then we can get back to the important stuff," he added with a somewhat cheeky grin.

[itsananomaly]

Cutter smiled at that, feeling his cheeks redden a little at both Connor calling him Nick and at the kiss … he was feeling more and more confident about this … being with Connor.

He then laughed at the last part, “well, there’s no arguments from me there … “ he grinned, “it will be worth the wait,” he added shyly.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor shifted slightly so he was lying back down and finished putting in the order. Ended up with something from J.GOB. Box of assorted pastries and a to-go box of coffee.... or something...

Connor honestly wasn't paying that much attention, to be honest. He was a bit.... distracted by other things.... "Ok, that is done," he said as he put the phone down.

[itsananomaly]

“So what did you end up ordering?” Cutter asked curiously, even though he realised at that point he was feeling pretty hungry, he didn’t remember eating much the last couple of days, he remembered Connor had brought doughnuts over, had they even eaten those? “or is going to be a surprise?” he grinned as he settled back against the pillows, looking at Connor with a fond smile.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Yah, food had somehow not been that high on the priority list the last few days... really odd... what could EVER have been the cause of that?

"Eh, we'll make it a surprise," Connor said with a smirk. "Id 'd say we could play 20 questions, but you could just name every food place on the island and get it in way less than 20 so..."

Connor gave a small shrug and settled back a little more comfortably, returning the smile with one of his own.

[itsananomaly]

It was definitely a mystery for the ages wasn’t it?

Cutter could only grin at that, “being surprised it is, I’m looking forward to it,” he added, “I think there’s still quite a few places I haven’t tried here yet,” he admitted.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Well, gives us plenty of options for at least a couple of lunch dates and whatnot eh?" Connor replied with a wink as he shifted a little so he was facing Cutter a little more

[itsananomaly]

Cutter smiled at that, “lunch dates, I do like the sound of that, it’s been a while since I’ve done that … Stephen …” he hesitated at the mention of his name, even though they were talking again, everything that had happened between them still hurt, “we used to have lunches at the university … I mean, when I showed up to classes that is,” he added softly, “and Claudia …” there was another pause, “Claudia and I had a couple of lunch dates, we didn’t really get a chance …”

His voice trailed off and he looked back at Connor with a soft smile, “I would like to go on lunch dates with you,”

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor watched him for a minute and nodded."Abby was usually too busy, even when we weren't running around dealing with anomalies and whatnot. I kinda really messed things up there toward the end, anyways. And Caroline, well... that turned out to be an even bigger mess. And that's not even considering the countless times of getting stood up, dare-dated, and dumped before the second date.'

Connor looked over at Cutter with a small, almost worried sigh. "I'm definitely not the best at the whole dating thing. You... you sure you want it to be... me?"

[itsananomaly]

Cutter nodded without hesitation, “I do, it …I would like that very much,” he assured him, “I …I mean, if you want me that is,” he added.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor grinned at that quick response and answered that question by shifting and then leaning in, elbow sinking into the pillows a bit more as he kissed Cutter. Hopefully, this was sufficient enough of an answer, but if not, maybe the hand sliding up to rest against the back of his neck would be enough to let Cutter know just how much he did want him.

[itsananomaly]

It was definitely a sufficient response and one that Cutter really liked as he enthusiastically responded to Connor’s kiss.

He also quite liked the feel of Connor’s hand on the back of his neck and he responded with moving his own hand to Connor’s back as he leaned into that kiss.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

A soft noise escaped Connor at that touch on his back. And when he finally broke the kiss, he let out a soft, breathy laugh and looked at Cutter, hand still where it had been.

"Damnit Nick... I could really... get used to that."

[itsananomaly]

Cutter smiled, a little shyly at that and he started to go rather red, “same here Connor,” he told him, “I’m …I really do like this, this is …” he tried to think of a better word to use and realised that “nice,” he realised he couldn’t think of anything else that best described it, “really nice,”

You would think for a Professor he would know some other words?

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Eh Connor could give him a pass on that, on account of a bit of brain fog considering the last 48 hours or so. He gave Cutter a grin which turned into a playful smirk.

"Very nice... and I look forward to doing many other, very nice things together."

[itsananomaly]

Cutter smiled up at Connor, "oh is that a hint of what's to come?" he returned the playful smirk, "I could definitely get used to this then," he added.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"It's a promise," Connor said and was about to say more when there was a knock on the door. He rolled his eyes and sighed. "Hold that thought, I'll be back with the food in a jiff!" Connor said as he climbed out of the bed, pulled on a shirt and headed to the door to get their food.

[itsananomaly]

Cutter was very comfortable where he was and even though Connor was only going to the door to get food, it felt like an eternity waiting for him to get back.

Even though he was starting to notice how hungry he actually was, so maybe it was a good thing that the food had arrived right then.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Want the coffee now or later?" Connor called out as he closed the door and made his way back toward the bedroom, the coffee jug in one hand, the box of pastries in the other.

[itsananomaly]

“Actually I think coffee now does sound pretty good,” Cutter admitted as he managed to get himself to sit up, he wondered briefly if he should find a shirt to put on but then noticed his shirt was flung all the way over the other side of the room, “I feel like it’s been a while since I’ve had any,” he grinned at that.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor nodded as he walked in, handing the box of goodies to Cutter and setting the coffee on the table by the bed. As soon as his hands were free, he peeled the shirt back off and chucked it somewhere across the room as well.

"They sent little to-go cups, and we also have some cream and sugar," he said and then gave a somewhat apologetic smile to Cutter. "Afraid it's been a while since the last coffee run at the office. How do you take your coffee again?"

[itsananomaly]

"Lots of cream and lots of sugar please," Cutter said as he gratefully accepted the box and smiled as he remembered what the coffee runs at the office could be like and how much the team seemed to go through coffee.

"This looks great, thank you," he added as he looked down at the box.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor fixed up the cups and handed one over to Cutter before situating himself back on the bed, careful not to upset the box or the coffee... at least for the time being. "I think my memory did serve me right that danishes were a favorite of yours, right?" he asked with a smirk as he leaned over to examine the contents of the box.

[itsananomaly]

Cutter smiled warmly as he took the cup, “I do quite like danishes,” he nodded, “thank you, Connor, these do look really good,” his stomach started to rumble a bit and he realised he was hungrier than he thought he was.

He took a long sip of his coffee first, "I definitely needed that,"

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor grabbed one of the danishes and took a bite, holding it in his mouth for a minute while he got settled in a little more comfortably, and maybe a little closer to Cutter at the same time.

"There's six danishes and they also had some kind of new bacon and cheese puffs so there's some of those too. Should be a good start at least. Can always order more if we need."

And with that, Connor leaned back a little more, resting slightly against Cutter as he did.