“ if we’re going to make a deal, you’re gonna have to ask for something a little more rational than that.” - Cole who was simply asked to go to bed at a reasonable hour but decided on negotiation. Enjoy Dads!
It had been a quiet night, up until that point. After dinner, the family had settled in for a little relaxing evening, something which had become rare the last few weeks before their most recent case had been closed. Cole had been amiable to doing his homework, with a little help from Connor, of course. The child didn’t need the help - he was whip-smart, just like his dad, - but he liked the company. Connor didn’t mind. He’d been fraught over the inability to spend more time with their son as their workload had increased. It was a balm on his soul to have those little moments of closeness.
But as the hour grew later & the evening progressed, the detective was becoming more inclined towards spending some alone time with his husband. He found the lieutenant in the living room, parked in his favorite chair, reading glasses perched upon the bridge of his nose as he enjoyed one of his many books. One Hank had read before, though it was no surprise that he’d find interest in the story again. Paperback romance’s really did it for him, & his doting husband wasn’t one to argue, if the sweet smile he’d aimed Hanks way was any indication.
Connor had taken to setting himself across the larger mans lap, never shy about wanting for attention. Hank had forgotten all about his book in a heartbeat, all of his focus directed towards the man he’d fallen for all those years ago.
Of course, their cuddling session hadn’t remained quiet, & Cole had made it his mission to argue a later bedtime with them. Eloquently, as well - he really did take after his dad. Even Connor was a bit taken aback, but whereas Hank was ready to end the games & send the boy off to his room, the younger male chose a different path; negotiation. Never let it be said that Connor wasn’t a brilliant strategist. He knew just how to get their son to comply, ever taking those crucial moments to gathering information, to find understanding in Coles behavior before weighing options. He wouldn’t admit that it was exactly how he treated their suspects, but his husband recognized the patterns, noted the similar beats in his responses, the practiced cadence of his dusky voice.
Connor might have been an incredible profiler & even better detective, but he could never fool the man he married. Hank would never call him out on it, not when they weren’t alone, but he would gladly sit back & watch the pretty boy work.
Weight shifted & long legs reached the floor as Connor moved to stand, moving towards their son with a casual but affirming stride. As always when dealing with their son, his visage was awash with a gentle warmth. He was so patient, so reasonable. Cole rarely found a reason to keep arguing, especially when he had already gotten what he wanted. Connor knew the boy wanted attention more than he did to go to bed later. Even with permission, he’d grow weary & fall asleep splayed out awkwardly on his bed or the couch with his tablet on the ground, still playing some video or a digital book he’d been reading until his eyelids got too heavy.
Of course, his dad already knew this & chose compromise, all while proposing a small challenge Cole wouldn't be able to refuse. “How about this?” he began, offering a hand to take. “I’ll come up, tuck you into bed, & I’ll read to you. Any book you like. I’ll read as long as you can stay awake.” A sweet smile, softly arched brows raising gently with a mild insistence. “Deal?”
