Chapter Text
That definitely wasn't how that was meant to go.
Hank decided to stay at the gas station a bit longer, just to listen to the rain and try and process how the fuck that went so wrong.
another clap of lightning.
He felt the exhaustion at the back of his eyes were weighting down his eyelids, but he decided to ignored it, knowing that it was a just a cruel trick his body was playing on him,
how the fuck did that go so wrong??
Hank picked apart the entire interaction, practically dissected it. Pulled it apart, stitched it back together again, removed and examined every word, expression, gesture and sentence; but still couldn't fully comprehend how that went so fucking wrong.
Hank's knee was bouncing, staring blankly into the rainy distance still recalling the entire fight.
God... he called it a pity invite??
why would he say that??
Stupid McJones pride...
This situation needed a game plan, so he briefly ruled out his options: A - apologise, closure, too much potential of showing true emotions, B - don't apologise, no hard conversation, but Francis hates Hank even more than before, relationship ruined.
There was probably more options than that, but Hank didn't really want to think about what just happened more than need-be.
Hank buried his head into his hands and groaned, he felt awful about the things he said- Francis just wanted to get back to studying, there was no need for him to be such a dick about it.
His knee bounced faster as the rain quickened, becoming something that would be- unpleasant, to walk in, still staring, thinking about how angry and hurt Francis' looked...
Fuck it
Hank abruptly threw himself to his feet; he was going to see Francis back at the dorm, he didn't know what he was going to say, wether or not he'd apologize, or get into an even bigger fight or even have a genuine converstaion for once! but he was going, and he'd be dammed if he wasn't going to have a proper interaction with him.
however before he could go; he quickly tucked his head into the gas station to see if there were any umbrellas-which there were not- before sighing and persisting onwards to see his dickhead roommate of whom he loved!,
even if he will get miserably wet.
As Hank was walking through the torrential downpour, he was mapping out things he could say when he met up with Francis back at the dorm, all of which being a bit optimistic, and going along the lines of:
'Francis, I'm so sorry we got into a fight'
'oh don't worry Hank, I'm actually madly in love with you and that I'm very sorry for prioritising studying over spending time with you, shall we kiss?'
yeah right.
But coming up with talking points was a distraction from how anxious he was about actually talking to Francis, and the horrible amount of rain that was occurring.
Hank slicked back his curls from out of his eyes and put his coat over his head; maybe he should just sleep at the gas station until the rain stops?
he wouldn't have to deal with talking to Francis or the rain, it's a win-win!
The wind blew in his face causing him to almost drop his coat.
No... McJoneses aren't cowards, as previously seen by his unnecessary defensiveness, but this time it's being used for good instead of offending crushes!
oh god he's got a lot to clear up...
He was really leaning to just grovel at Francis' feet and beg for forgiveness, but decided that was too desperate
or maybe to tell him how hurt he was that he chose studying over him, but that was too emotional, and definitely gave it away that he felt something towards him
Head still full of ways to approach the situation, as he passed the play area, he saw something in the corner of his eye.
He didn't bare it that much mind until he realised it looked person shaped.
When he fully turned his head, he saw curled up under in the play structures above panel, Disheveled and rather wet, None other than Francis Mcmellow! sheltering from the rain with his legs curled to his chest and looking at Hank like a frightened deer, which ironically-
Hank approached the play structure without a word, almost slipping in the mud, and when he got to the structure taking his jacket off his head and placing it beside him as he sat next to Francis.
"...I'll have you know I'm only here because the rain was getting too unbearable to walk in."
They didn't talk for a bit; not much to talk about. well, other than what just happened, but neither wanted to be the one to begin that conversation.
So they both just sat in silence with nothing but the rain and Francis yelping everytime a clap of thunder echoed across the playground.
"so, about what happened..."
"yes- I really do apologise for how I spoke- it was completely irrational and I really shouldn't have been so rude"
"well I should be sorry too! I was being a complete jerk about you wanting to leave and I should've just let you... I'm- I'm sorry, Francy"
Silence, again.
well that was easy!
but why did everything still feel so awkward?
that short burst of apolgoies really didn't seem to change the atmosphere at all.
Hank but luckily decided to take it upon himself to make conversation, hopefully something more meaningful this time.
"if you don't mind me asking... why are you so stressed about studying?" Hank gave a breathy chuckle "I mean, you're the smartest guy in this whole school!"
Francis blushed and smiled at that comment, that might have been the only time Hank has complimented him, but quickly got serious again staring into the distance
"I mean, it never hurts to prepare..." he turned his head to look at Hank "and this test is just so important, y'know? I really can't mess this up... which you would have known earlier if you had of just asked"
Hank laughed
"yeah... sorry about that, again.
But, dude, you know this topic inside out, yeah it doesn't hurt to study- but don't you think you're over preparing?"
Francis didn't respond for a moment, sighed and turned away, staring at the floor in shame.
"I failed a test for the first time last month..." Francis said, barely audible.
Hanks eyes widened, no fucking way, he was messing with him, right??
"It was so stupid..." Francis continued
"it was such an easy topic as well! I guess I've just been... distracted, as of late"
"yeah I feel that..."
Francis ran his hand through his hair
"I just cant- I just can't frick this one up, but I can't clear my head... so I need to over study to make up for that I'm distracted so that I can even have a chance of passing"
Hank was still reeling at the fact that Francis failed a test
"You've already been studying for 10 hours... I think you've already reached your limit on over studying- maybe take a break when we get in, yeah?"
When Hank put his hand on Francis' shoulder he basically short-circuited and had to take a second before he could form a coherent sentence
"well- well I suppose. My mother was just extremely disappointed when she saw that I failed that test is all.."
"ah... so you're a Mama's boy?"
Francis flushed a deeper shade once again and looked away
"for lack of a better terminology, I guess."
When Francis did eventually look at Hank; he couldn't help but admire how beautiful he looked, unbashful and without shame.
the warm yellow streetlight outlining his side profile, his eyes in downcast looking at his hands.
He looked exactly like how he imagined him when he deemed staring to inappropriate; soft and warm like a sunrise through a bookshop window or a candle gently burning at the side of a study.
If he could he would have just tugged him into his arms tight here and there, kissed him until he was out of breath and bury his face into his curls while telling him how much he wanted to do this ever since the day they met.
But he didn't, for now at least, for now he just stared, with a faint smile on his lips.
He did want to stay angry at Hank for a bit longer to sell the illusion of disliking him, but he ultimately gave up, they both apologised, be it brief, and that was good enough.
" well... if you don't mind me asking- purely because I've heard some rumours floating around,"
this was definitely a risky move, but Francis was curious, even if it could ruin the conversation
curiousity killed the cat; but satisfaction bought it back!
"did you get a girl pregnant a while back? I'm sorry if that seems a bit abrupt or rude but-"
Francis trailed off, definitely thinking he fucked up now, but luckily he cut him off
"Dude, don't worry. " Hank chuckled "and yeah, Chelsea... we dated for a bit, she was a bit weird in retrospect- but overall sweet, and then she slapped a baby Infront of me." Hank leaned back, stretched his legs out in front of him and scratched the back of his head
"I told her that neither of us were ready to be parents and then she dumped me on the spot... I'm not entirely sure where her and Fabian are or what they're doing... but I hope they're happy"
Francis stared for a moment, a mix of respect and disappointment.
"well... that must've been a very stressful situation you were in, but I think you handled it responsibly" Francis looked down and murmured "heterosexual people have weird problems..."
well that wasn't right, Hank thought
"I'm not straight, I'm bi, actually" Hank stayed simply.
They both stared at each other for a second, Hank fully realising he just came out to his roommate who once referred to a pansexual kid in his class as an equal opportunity whore.
"...and I'm guessing you're... not straight?"
wow, bold, Hank.
"God no, as they say in England; I'm as gay as a window"
Oh my god, Francis, stop embarrassing yourself.
I mean, it did explain a lot, Hank thought.
"Neat!" Hank said, a tad too chipper.
Francis and Hank were then send into--yet another--silence.
but this time a bashful one, now that they both knew they had a chance with one and other, and neither knowing how to approach it.
"But seriously..." Francis began, fully turning himself towards Hank
takeachancetakeachancetakeachance!
you only live once, Mcmellow!
"I'm really sorry how rude I was to you... just- in general... I've been a terrible roommate"
Hank put his arm on the back of the play structure wall and leaned in
"don't worry about it... I should also apologize, I think we've both been terrible roommates, together."
They're faces were only a couple inches apart, so close that Francis could feel Hanks warm breath on his lips
"y'know, thinking about it... I guess I've been a bit more distracted lately because- someone's, been on my mind" Francis added, staring down at Hanks lips
Hank was basically dizzy with anticipation
"distracted so much you failed a test? this person m-must be special"
Hank was trying to keep composed, but was ultimately failing because he felt how warm his face and ears felt and could only imagine how it looked for Francis
'well I guess, romance has never been my thing... but this guy- this really cute guy..."
Francis raised his eyeline to meet Hanks, now fully realising how close they were; noses almost touching, chests flush, legs pressed against eachother.
He's never been this close to Hank,
Not even in his fake scenerios.
And the way he was looking at him, eyes big and pleading, his unfairly handsome pout quivering and face flushed ear to ear-
Francis' and Hank's noses briefly bumped into eachother, with Francis hesitating in asking for permission.
When Hank concurred,
He kissed him.
The kiss was better than anything either of them had imagined.
Francis was holding Hanks jaw with both hands, angling him so that the kiss was at the perfect angle, and Hank wrapped one arm around his waist and another holding the back of Francis' neck, their lips agape and gentle.
Francis jutted his chin forward, which made Hank give a small noise from the back of his throat in reception and made him grip Francis tighter, lips still sensually pressed together.
Hank sucked on Francis lip, being pleasantly surprised when he tasted like coffee and cherry Chapstick, making Francis lean into the kiss so much that it pushed Hank into the rain, still gently caressing Hanks Face with his thumbs.
after 20 seconds of long awaited bliss, they both separated with a gentle pop, flushed and lips glistening, Francis moved his hands to Hanks shoulders, and Hank's to rest on Francis' back
"Hank- I think I really like you" Francis blurted
Hank laughed, breathy and bubbly, Hiding his Face in Francis neck while he did, causing Francis' face to darken more and laugh with him.
"Yeah, no- I really like you too, Francy"
Hank said, raising his face to meet Francis, who was beaming at him, holding tears back in his eyes.
Francis gave Hank a short sweet kiss on the nose, due to him not being able to properly reciprocate how he was feeling into words, and hugged him tightly, to which he reciprocated
"God... you have no clue how badly I've wanted to do this..." Francis said, voice muffled by Hanks neck
"Same... and it's even better than I thought"
Hank and Francis stayed a little longer, just to appreciate the rain and relish in the fact that they managed to serenade the pretty boy, and when they did leave they left hand in hand, sharing embarrassing stories bout what they did to manage their crushes before this point.
As they entered the dorm, They both threw their soggy coats into the laundry hamper, Hank peeling off his soaked polo as Francis ventured into the bathroom.
When he came out, he had dreid his hair with a towel presumably and kenlt down to find his pyjamas. Hanked looked over to watch Francis' aggressively searching for his pyjamas, and pretending to be entranced with a wall when he turned around and said
"I think all of my pyjamas are in the hamper... I very well may have to sleep in this"
"Don't be silly," Hank pulled a box from under his bed and pulled out a pair of pyjamas "you can wear these!"
"Oh-! are you really sure..-"
"We've waited 7 months for this, please just accept them"
And he did, sheepishly of course, but he still did.
They were a bit too big for him, the grey shirt sitting loosely at his collar bone and the plaid bottoms drenching his ankles.
Hanks chest bloomed with affection upon seeing him like this and wished he could take a picture to remember it by.
Francis yawned, placed his glasses on his nightstand and raised the covers on his bed so he could get in, to the minor dismay of Hank
"wait! aren't we gonna... y'know?"
"Hank, I've only had my first kiss 40 minutes ago- I'm sorry, but I'm really not ready to take that step just yet-"
Hank blushed at the misunderstanding
"nononono! only when you're ready- but I was- I was talking about just... cuddling?"
Hank open his arms and gave an embarrassed smile, awkwardly shuffling backwards to make room for two.
"oh! yes,yes, of course! I'd love too"
Francis hastily transferred himself from his bed To Hank's, moving his glasses from his bed table to his.
Francis settled Facing Hank, wrapping his arms around Hanks waist and Shoving his flushed face into the crook of his neck, Hank reciprocating, linking his arms from under Francis' to rest at his back, intertwining their legs together.
"I really don't think you know how much I've wanted to do this... genuinely." Francis murmured
"hush... you've got a test in 10 hours, baby... you need to rest..."
They laid like that for a while, the rain still not ceasing, Every time the thunder tolled and Francis timidly yelped, Hank tightened the embrace and lulled him into calmness again, something that Francis was endlessly grateful for.
And after Francis fell asleep, Hank smiled and buried his face into his hair and muttered
"screw melatonin..."