#★ thread ノ ꒰ henry & brooklyn ꒱

[morningsmisty]

He chuckled, head shaking in amusement. "Hey, do whatever you wanna do," he told her, shrugging. He didn't care if she made a profile on his Netflix, or any other streaming service. It didn't bother him, because she was Brooklyn, and she was the closest thing he had to a best friend. He had friends, of course, but she was easily the most important. "It's your GED, so it's your choice," he said, shrugging. "I'm glad you've got someone teaching you, Brooklyn," he told her. He wanted good things for her, hoped she'd actually get to be able to achieve everything she'd ever wanted. "Fair enough," he agreed, nodding. "I'll help you with anything you need for this, though." He'd help her with anything, really. He chuckled, sparing a quick glance down at her before returning his attention to the screen in front of him. "Thanks, Brooklyn. This is just one of the only things I am good at, thankfully."

"I'm gonna do it, I'm so serious, " she said as she clicked out of the movie and set up her own profile on her account. She scrolled through different Icons and then opened up her profile. She had such a carefree and happy look on her face, something so simple brought her back to life for the first time in a long while. "Probably not, but I want to take it seriously. It'll be the first step and I don't want to do anything half-assed you know? And besides, you seem smart, I'll have you to help me when I need it." She clicked on NCIS and traded the remote for the pizza. "Yeah, I have someone that has been mentoring me, I've been getting some practice and hopefully I make a thing of it." For the first time in a while, she had hope again. She was free. "Well, maybe not that. Let's see how I do first before I go changing my grades." She put done her plate of half-eaten pizzan she dropped her head to his shoulder. She watched his screen as he worked. "You are really impressive."

[morningsmisty]

Henry: of course you disagree Henry: there's nothing you need to do to thank me for this seriously. i want you to be able to get away from this shit Henry: it's not that big of a deal, trust me

Brooklyn: well I disagree

Brooklyn: you are helping me with something very massive and you say you don’t have to thank you? I should be doing something big to thank you for this shit.

Brooklyn: because you shouldn’t have to be the one to do it

[morningsmisty]

She could tell him he wasn't going to buy her a television if she wanted to, it didn't mean he was necessarily going to listen. "You can go ahead and create your own there whenever you feel like it," he said, shrugging. "Yeah, you're not gonna need most of the bullshit they force you to learn to get your GED. I don't understand the point in making you take classes in the most useless subjects imaginable. They should let you pick classes based on your actual career goals." His issues with the education system were something to discuss on a different day, though. "There you go," he encouraged, nodding. "Practicing drawing is a great step. Maybe someone around here will wanna buy the designs too if you put 'em out there." He nodded, brows furrowing as he slowly began to get to work. "Oh, well, I could probably teach you a few basic things if you want at some point. Like, how to change your grades if you're not satisfied."

"Yeah, okay okay. But you still aren't buying me a TV. But my own profile will help you out while I'm here." She gave him a playful nudge. It would be nice to have something to do now while she hid out and avoided people. He did have a good point, most of that wouldn't matter, not for what she wanted to so. She still couldn't believe she let one mistake derail her whole life. She was well on her way to getting a scholarship for soccer. "I'm just gonna do business and maybe some design classes on the side. Maybe I'll start drawing again and getting my work on some paper. It's been a while." But spending more time with Giada was inspiring her. "On the computer?No I'm good really. I can turn mine on and write assignments. That's all I need. You just said you thought I'd pick it up."

[morningsmisty]

"I mean, I don't care if you use mine, but only if you use your own profile on it and don't mess with where I'm at in some of my shows. Okay?" He didn't mind sharing with her. She was his friend, he wanted to keep her happy. "Whatever works best for you." He was simply being honest. He never knew what to do when it came to talking on the phone, not when texting was so readily available and easy. "You can fake your way through all that useless shit, trust me. None of it will apply to your future, right?" Besides, the GED was the easy part. College might've been a little more ... complex. "I know you're gonna," he said, nodding. He didn't have any doubts about her, or her abilities. She was the one clearly struggling to believe in herself. "What? You just want like ... general knowledge or something?" he asked, unable to stop himself from expressing his curiosity.

"Whos? You are like one of two friends I have." Henry and Oxana. It seemed like a good mix to have for now. Maybe as she got her shit back together she would branch out again, but for now, she needed to focus on herself. "Oh, yeah I'll text. Sorry." Jason was bad at texting, she was used to calling. "I don't mind texting, I prefer it too, No calls from me." She said weak a half smile. "Maybe. It's just been a while, I don't remember any of that shit, derivatives, heat exchange, grammar." She dropped her head back as she took a bit of the pizza. "But I'm going to give it my all, promise. It will be worth all this effort you are putting in." She said with a nod, "I bet you would be. But its all good. I don't actually have an interest in that." She said with a shrug. She settled in next to him took the remote and turned the tv on, putting on something random and keeping the volume low.

[morningsmisty]

"You know you can use someone else's login right?" he questioned, slightly perplexed. "You don't gotta pay for that shit yourself. You're also talking to someone who can get you any sort of movies or television shows that you wanna watch," he pointed out. "Sure, but I'm not really good at talking on the phone. You know that, right? I would've never survived being in the generations without texting," he stated, shuddering at the thought. He preferred his communications to be through texts, but maybe that was just him. "Just because you dropped out doesn't mean you're not smart, Brooklyn," he told her, shaking his head. "Lot's of people who were dropouts are actually some of the smartest people on the planet. A diploma doesn't mean shit." He was sure he could help her get all of those things again. "I mean, I don't think I'm the best teacher at this shit, because I'm usually workin' so fast, but I could give it a go." He thought she'd be better off learning to navigate computers through someone who had more patience and wasn't constantly on a mission. "Thanks," he told her, glancing over at the girl before taking a bite of the pizza and returning his attention to the screens in front of him.

"I really don't because it wouldn't even work because I don't have Netflix or any of that crap so it's fine. Really." She didn't want him buying things for her, she was doing just fine on her own. "If I'm snowed in or bored out of mine, I'll just call you, okay? How does that sound? It's cheaper than a TV" she said with a nod, she didn't want him to feel like he had to take care of her. "Perfect, I'll just do that then." Brooklyn didn't want to depend on people anymore, but Henry she knew would never hurt her. New York wasn't her home, but she had reasons to come back. "I am not smart, not anymore. I used to be but I dropped out before I could really make something of myself. Maybe now I can, you know. I was actually top of my class. I had it all back then." The boyfriend, the grades, the athletic skills. She was queen bee and she was only a sophomore. Oh, how things fell apart. "Is this your way of saying you'll teach me?" She asked with a raised brow as she returned with the pizza. She put it down on the table and moved to the kitchen to get some paper plates and came back to him. She put a piece on one for him and one for her before she sat down next to him. "Dig in."

[morningsmisty]

"Everyone needs a television," he argued, shaking his head. "What if you're snowed in or something with nothing else to do? You'd be bored out of your mind," he pointed out. "You don't need an excuse to come over here and use mine." She was always welcome over at his place. They were friends, that was what friends did for one another. "I'm sure I'd always keep coming back here." He didn't know any other home, and he didn't really want to, either. New York was full of opportunities. "Well, there's definitely a difference between operating a computer and knowing what you're doing when it comes to hacking," he said, chuckling. "I think you're pretty smart, you could probably learn it if you really tried and applied yourself... Y'know," he said, shrugging. Henry waited patiently for her to get the pizza as he set himself up with his laptop and extra monitor. He didn't typically prefer an audience, but this was Brooklyn, and he was doing this for her, so he could handle it this time around.

Brooklyn did not bring a lot of people around her apartment, it wasn’t really the best living place. It was barely livable to be honest. The heat had been out for some time and until recently the door didn’t even lock. “Don’t you dare buy me a TV. I don’t need one.” She said with a shrug, “gives me an excuse to come use your tv.” She didn’t need it, she survived just fine without. Survived. That damn word. When would she stop just surviving and start living. “If you stay it would give me a reason to come back and visit. That and Oxana and the baby.” Brooklyn was really excited to be an Aunt, it was a title she was deeply honored to hold. “I dropped out of high school, we are lucky I know how to turn on a computer. I don’t know shit about them.” That much was true, but now she would need to figure something out for her classes. There was a knock in the door and Brooklyn popped up, “the pizza is here” she said grabbing her wallet and going to the door. She handed over cash and accepted the food. “Now the party can really begin.”

[morningsmisty]

"You ... You don't have a television? Why the fuck don't you have a television at your place?" Henry questioned, genuinely perplexed. "If it's about the cost I can get you one." To him, televisions were cheap. They wouldn't make a dent in his pocket whatsoever. "I know," he said, nodding. It wasn't easy to accept that someone out there gave a shit about him, but it was a little difficult to ignore when it came to Brooklyn. "I might hate this place most of the time, but I don't know if I could leave it on a permanent basis," he admitted. New York was the only home he'd ever known. He liked the comfort of home, even if he didn't say that out loud. "It depends on the kind of hacking you do," he said with a chuckle. "Well, it's a good thing she can't do that anymore." He shrugged, relenting with a slight nod. "Sure, I guess you're kinda right about that."

"I'm good for anything, whatever you want really. I don't have a Tv at my place." Thats why she liked hanging out with other people. She had an old laptop Oxana and she would watch stuff off of it. "That's good then." She said with a nod, she didn't like silence, that's when the demons in her head took over the most. "Hey, I care about you to Henny." She said as she rested up next to him. "Maybe one day we will leave this shit hole. We can do whatever we want. I'll go to Paris or Milan, model, do whatever I want." But she didn't want that dream alone. "You tap on a keyboard for a living. I'm not sure what hackers do, to be honest." She said with a shrug, "That would make one of us. That bitch Sera was apparently stealing all my money." and I was to stupid to realize the numbers were off. "Well its depressing if you drink alone so really I'd be doing you a favor by participating in the beer drinking."

[morningsmisty]

"What are you planning on putting on?" He had to ask, wanted to know what he was supposed to prepare himself for. He just didn't want to have to listen to some sappy film. "Noises don't really distract me when I'm working, they actually tend to help me." Extended periods of silence tended to freak him out, so he would welcome the background noise of a movie or Brooklyn's voice. "I'm doin' this for you 'cause you're one of the only people I care about in this shithole, Brooklyn," he said, furrowing his brows. He chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "You know what I do for a living ... right? Money is the least of my concerns. I can easily get it. For you, or for me." Easily might've been a slight stretch, as he'd have to be extremely cautious, but he knew he could do it. "So really ... you'd be buying us beer, not me."

"Well then good." She said with a smile. "Because while you tap your life away on your keyboard, I'll put on a movie." She said with a smile as she made herself comfortable. "Unless that will be distracting for you." She questioned, she didn't know what he needed to work. Some people had weird focus needs. "I know, I just like to be able to repay the favor, you know. You are really saving me here. So when I'm successful and rich or something I'll give you a shout out. That and maybe I'll buy you a case of beer... and then drink half of them with you."

[morningsmisty]

"Oh, I don't really have anything else planned tonight," he said, shrugging. He was home for the night, and he planned on staying there until he needed to leave the next day for something. "Don't worry about it, Brooklyn," he told her, furrowing his brows. "Like I said, I'd do anything for you. I don't mind doing this at all. You don't owe me anything, and I don't want anything in return. I just wanna get you what you need ... that's it."

Brooklyn stepped through the front door and into the familiar space. She had been here plenty of times before. She wasn't sure if anyone else had though. "You can get started if you want. I don't want to take up all of your night doing this for me." She said as she put her bag down and sat on the couch. "I really owe you one, seriously Hen." She said with a smile. "Food will be here in ten."

[morningsmisty]

"They come in a lot of handy," Henry agreed. He loved the convenience of paper towels, even if he knew they weren't the best for the environment. Henry had the means and skills to cook, but he chose not to because it was time constraining. He had better things to do. He chuckled, a slight shrug of the shoulders following. Henry unlocked the front door, waiting for Brooklyn to enter before he followed in behind her and locked the door. "So, do you wanna eat first then have me start workin' on this for you?"

"Yeah, that's why paper towels are my go too for anything that could survive on those." It worked well for her. Her place wasn't the best for cooking anyway, it was small and cramped, there was no room and if a sock was left out, the place was basically a disaster. "You know, that doesn't surprise me in the slightest." She said as she unbuckled and opened the door, getting out. She had been here plenty of times before. She slung her bag over her shoulder and followed him into the place.

[morningsmisty]

"They really are," he agreed with a chuckle. He couldn't stand dishes, even after just cooking one meal. He wished there was an alternative. Sure, he could still use a dishwasher, but he still had to put effort into using one of those, too. He nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Trust me, they'd probably ask me to take some of my plates if they ever had a shortage," Henry stated. He pulled into his driveway and quickly turned the car off. "Home sweet home."

"God, dishes are the fucking worse." She knew she wasn't going food shopping tomorrow either, but they could say they would, that counted as making an effort, right? "Copy that." She said as she tapped away on her phone and placed an order for a pizza. "Should by at yours in fifteen. And I didn't ask for plates." She looked at him as she teased. They were close so she started to collect her bag.

[morningsmisty]

"Yeah, cooking kinda sucks anyways. Plus, I hate washin' the dishes so I've got a ridiculous collection of paper plates," he said, shrugging. He kept his place clean, but dishes were just one of those chores he couldn't stand. He'd rather do anything else. He laughed, nodding in agreement. "Of course we can." He knew damn well he wasn't going food shopping the next day, but he could lie to himself. "Any of those sound good to me. Get whatever you want."

"Hey, if it makes you feel any better. There aint shit to eat at my place either. Besides, I'm a terrible cook. Unless someone is making it for me, I am a microwave chef." And she had no shame in that, saved her time and money. "Exactly. We can say we will go food shopping tomorrow." She said with a laugh as she pulled out her phone, "What do you want? Pizza? Burgers? Pasta?"

[morningsmisty]

Henry didn't want to let other people in, he was already taking a risk letting in the few people that he did. He couldn't take on any more. He was much more content with keeping everyone at an arm's length. He laughed, shaking his head. "I mean, I have some food, but definitely not a lot. I haven't been grocery shopping in awhile. I've been meaning to, but shit keeps gettin' in the way," she said, shrugging. "I've been getting a lot of takeout lately. What's one more night?"

"You are right about that." She said shaking her head, she didn't mind he didn't let anyone else it, he let her in and thats all that mattered. He wasn't completely alone. He gave her some things to think about though. She was stuck in between, the push and pull of her friends. "Side question." She said changing the vibes in the car, "Do you have food or am I going to have to order something for us?"

[morningsmisty]

"Life's pretty fuckin' shitty half the time, so I s'pose so," he said, shrugging. He wasn't one to sit there and cry about the misfortunes of life. Henry just dealt with them and carried on as if all was well. He masked his emotions effortlessly, didn't allow himself to be vulnerable with practically anyone. "I don't know, maybe," he said, shrugging. "It's easier not letting people in, Brooklyn." He wasn't trying to tell her that it was what she should be doing, but he did know that it was what worked for him. He nodded. "We're about two minutes away," he told her.

"That's life isn't it? Handling so much shit at once for no good reason." Brooklyn spent a lot of time thinking about it, what was the purpose of it all? "Is that why you do it? Not let alone in I mean." Yeah there was risk to it, more people to disappoint. Brooklyn use to be good at keeping people away but she got to comfortable and now they were hurting for her. She finally looked back over to him, "Are we almost there?" She questioned, not wanting to be in the car any longer.

[morningsmisty]

"As long as it gets done," he stated, nodding. He didn't want her to be in harms way at all, so if he had to step up to the plate, he didn't mind in the slightest bit. Brooklyn was different than everyone else. She was important, and he wasn't going to let anyone or anything hurt her. It wasn't a sentiment he held towards almost anyone else. "It is, but I mean ... which part of our lives isn't too much to take in?" He could handle her secret, and he'd be sure to take it with him to his grave. "I guess it's because most of us are creatures of habit and don't like to stray from what we know," he stated with a shrug. "The more people you let into your life, the more risky things become. You know? That's the odd thing about life, Brooklyn. It just ... it does that to all of us. Humankind is a strange thing." He nodded, knowing he was one of them. "Some people just prefer to stick with what they know."

"I will." She said with a nod. "I'm sure if I tell him that, he will gladly find a way to get it done himself." She said with a small laugh. Then again she didn't feel like she knew Jason that well anymore, it was getting hard to anticipate his moves. Would he jump to get it done or would he be thankful someone else offered so he didn't have to anymore. They were in a weird place. "Yeah, I know I just..." hell if she knew. "I know its a lot to take in." She said as she looked out the window once more. "Do you ever wonder exactly how many people there are in this city? And yet our lives only revolve around the same hundred people day to day. Have you ever realized just how small each persons existence is to everyone else but to someone else their whole world?" She was just rambling at this point. "Most people don't ever leave the place they were born."

[morningsmisty]

Henry wanted her to be safe, he was concerned for her well-being, and he wanted to make sure she knew how to take care of herself. He couldn't be around to protect her at all times, and neither could anyone else. "Let me know what he says, because if he can't do it ... I will. I can teach you how to shoot a gun and take care of yourself. I'm sure he wouldn't mind if he can't do it himself," he stated. Brooklyn's safety was important. In his mind, it didn't matter who taught her how to protect herself, as long as she learned. "You don't need to apologize to me," he stated, confusion evident in his tone. "I get it, Brooklyn. It's what you had to do." She was justified in her actions, and he'd stand by that belief. "Someone's gotta look out for you," he stated before shrugging. It was a lot of information for him to process, but he could handle it, especially since he understood her reasoning.

"Yeah, maybe." She said as she listened to him, he was right of course, he rarely was wrong. If someone wasn't around? She just figured she would deal with it if that time ever came. How? She had no idea. She was quick on her feet, a good runner. Most people couldn't keep up. She thanked her soccer days for that one. "I'll talk to him and see where we are at. I think he's recovered now." She had kept her space from him in between the stabbing and their recent talk, so she hadn't actually known how the recovery went. "Yeah... I'm sorry." She said as she looked out the window, almost waiting for his response, prepping in case it wasn't what she expected.. but it was Henry and he did exactly what she thought he would... accept her anyway. "Thanks. Really. You are the best, you know that?"