Get to Know Lucky Seven

Part one of the "Get to know" series, posted here on March24/2015. 
Author's note: "For libertinem. Technically, they’re not Lucky Seven yet, but this is the scene that found me."
.
A kettle whistles.
Cups rattle.
Water sloshes.
Feet scuff across the kitchen lino.
Familiar pattern.
But not ….
A warm mug touches his arm.
Tea.
Herc pries his fingers away from his wedding ring to accept it.
"Anklebiter's finally out cold," says Scott.
Relieved grunt.
Chair scrapes back.
Scott droops into it. "Was starting to wonder if he'd ever stop."
Herc sets his tea on the table, stares into it.
Scott slurps his.
"How long'd it take you?" mumbles Herc.
Scott leans back and stares at the ceiling. "Weeks." Sighs. "Just meant today, Herc."
Noncommittal noise.
"‘course, I was three and didn't know him all that well. Probably be different for Chuck."
"Charlie."
A huff. "Changing his name won't help."
"Never liked it. Was A—" Sharp intake of breath.
Scott cringes. "Doesn't matter. Kid's stuck with it now." Slurps more tea, tilts his head toward Herc's mug. "Future's not in there, you know."
Herc frowns, releases his ring, takes a reluctant sip. Makes a face. 
"Hmm?"
"'s bitter."
"'cause you let it sit too long."
Herc pushes the cup away.
"Want another?"
Shakes his head.
"Well, I do." 
Chair scrapes back.
Feet scuff across the kitchen lino.
A faucet whines.
A kettle rattles against the burner.
A distant whimper.
Herc lifts his head, pushes his chair back, drags himself to his feet, and down the hall toward the bedrooms.
Category:Ficlet
Category:Team Lucky Seven
Category:Hansen family
Category:Herc
Category:Herc's POV
Category:Herc (ficlet)
Category:Scott
Category:Scott (ficlet)
Category:Chuck H (mention)
Category:Angela (mention)
Category:Donovan (mention)
Category:Ficlets with images