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No matter how many times he told that damn spy, somehow Franky always ended up getting pulled for some kind of babysitting gig for the Forgers, much to his chagrin. But at least this time he had been asked (and paid handsomely) well in advance and the reason for his services had nothing to do with some kind of misunderstanding or date between Twilight and the missus. Even if Twilight coming back with a swollen lump on his chin had been hilarious, Franky would honestly rather not have any reminder that his spy friend was getting "more action" than he was at the moment.
Even if the spy ruthlessly denied anything going on between Yor and "Loid," something Franky had the distinct desire to roll his eyes about every time Twilight breathed on the matter. Either he was just that good at playing mutual pretend with someone as openly expressive as Yor Briar Forger or he was delusional.
But that wasn't the issue today, Franky consciously acknowledged as he pushed Twilight and Mrs. Forger from his mind.
No. The real issue was WISE and City Hall, and their insane insistence on overworking their employees. It was barely a better reason that he was required to give up his free time to watch a pink-haired gremlin child and a polar bear dog. But it was a better reason than being stuck inside while the couple played up their "totally real relationship" for the neighbors.
Not that he disliked being with the child and hound! Perish the thought. Anya was a joy to be around and Bond was fun as well. It was just-
Plop
There were certainly other things he could be doing with his time...
A glop of sticky, pink frozen milk product fell onto his glasses, drawing Franky's attention back to the present. Slowly, the informant let out a soft sigh as he realized what had happened.
Maybe carrying Anya on his shoulders while she ate her ice cream wasn't the best idea.
"Don't forget to turn the cone, Anya-chan," He advised without a hint of annoyance in his tone. She was just a kid, after all, and accidents were bound to happen. "The ice cream is probably dripping on your fingers."
The little body on his shoulders shifted, though he kept her steady by holding her shins, the fingers of her free hand slipping into his dense, curly hair for purchase. She didn't pull hard, thankfully, but it wasn't entirely pleasant.
"Sowwie Scruffy!" The Forger girl apologized a slight whine to her voice making her sound contrite and endearing. "Do you have another napkin? It's sticky..."
Thank goodness the parlor didn't have peanut butter ice cream today! "We've already used up the napkins we brought," he announced solemnly, internally wishing he had grabbed more from the pile of slightly rough paper products while they were still at the shop. "Which is why we are heading to your house. It'll be alright, Anya, as long as Bond doesn't tackle us when we get back."
A silly giggle spilled from the girl's lips and Franky couldn't help but smile. Even if he had warned the Westali spy on numerous occasions about getting too attached to Anya... she made it nearly impossible not to. Maybe that was the kid charm that many a woman would sigh about on occasion... though it didn't explain why Anya had been adopted and returned so many times. How could people not love her?
Surely she deserves a better life than a lie... A genuine family would certainly do her good... especially when everything comes to an end with Strix. He thought.
"Ah... Scruffy?"
There was something in her tone that gave him pause. "Yeah, Anya?" Franky answered, tilting his head slightly as if he could turn entirely to see the girl's face.
"Um... do you think we should have gotten ice cream for ChiChi and HaHa?"
This time Franky didn't hold back a snort as he resumed walking. "It would have melted before we got home and then there wouldn't be any left!"
"Oh! Then... do you think ChiChi and HaHa would like to go with us next time?" Anya continued and Franky knew she wouldn't be satisfied until all of her questions were answered.
"I'm sure they would love to take you there, Princess."
"But what about you, Scruffy?"
Once again, Franky found himself pausing in his stride. Fortunately, it wasn't busy out and no one ran into them as they stood there on the sidewalk. "What do you mean?" He inquired, again tilting his head towards her.
The girl gave a slight huff before answering. "HaHa wants to invite Unkie Yuri for an ooting sometime when he's not busy. But..." The child leaned down, resting more of her torso on his head forcing him to face forward by the weight, her chin pressed into the top of his scalp. He could feel the cone press into the top of his glasses, tilting them oddly on his nose, but he didn't complain. The heaviness in Anya's posture mirrored the weight of her words and waiting for the girl to get everything out of her system seemed like the best idea. "Unkie isn't fun like Scruffy. All Unkie wants to do is talk to HaHa and glare at ChiChi. Or study!" With that, Anya let out a loud raspberry in disgust, a gesture only a child could pull off so well. "When Unkie Yuri is around, Anya can't have fun."
"Well, you can't always have fun," he countered as if trying to reason with her. "Some work must be done in order to make the playtime worth it."
"Yeah..." The girl grumbled before brightening, lifting her chin off his head and throwing her arms into the air, her ice cream completely forgotten about. "But that makes Scruffy the fun unkie!"
For the third time since their journey began, Franky froze, his hand hovering over the door handle to the Forger's apartment building. The word "unkie" rattled around in his brain, silencing all thought for a few seconds.
Did she really see him as her uncle?
Probably not... For all her struggling grades, Anya was a smart kid. She was keenly aware that Loid and Yor weren't her real parents, even if she proclaimed to love them. In all reality, her calling Franky by another familial term probably was just that - a term. A title. Something easy for a child to grasp and utilize in conversation.
But it still warmed him to the core. He didn't have a family, not after the war. But this little girl wanted him to be part of her family, to be her uncle, even if it was just for show like the rest of it.
He chuckled, pulling open the door and sprinting up the stairs. "Well, we better get started on having more fun, eh Anya-chan!"
A shriek of laughter was the only response as they made their way up to the apartment, sticky with strawberry ice cream.