Chapter Text
Frank Frankly's P.O.V.
"Frank! Frank!" Julie called, running towards me. I sighed through my nose.
"I'm watering my plants right now Julie," I said, hoping she would take the hint to go away. Tragically, she did not.
"But Frank! I'm organizing a huge game of tag! Even Howdy is playing!" She cheered.
I raised a corner of my eyebrow. "His store is usually open at this time. How did you manage that?"
She grinned. "I paid him of course! I told him the funniest joke about tag, and he laughed so hard that he couldn't resist playing!"
I sighed again. Why did she always have to choose to play tag on days when I was feeling particularly sensitive to touch?
There was no point in arguing. I was already resigned to the fact that she would rope me into playing one way or another. "At least let me finish gardening first," I said.
Julie nodded enthusiastically. I took my time watering the rest of my plants. I wanted to put this off for as long as possible.
"Alright, let's go," I conceded when I was done.
Julie skipped all the way to Home's front yard. I trailed behind her at a leisurely pace. I would be doing enough running today.
When I did catch up to her she was getting the group's attention. "Guys! I got Frank to come!" She announced. I held back an eye roll.
"Let's start a new round then," Sally said.
Scanning over the group, it looked like everyone except for Poppy was here. That didn't surprise me, Poppy wasn't a fan of running. Plus she got far too anxious when being chased.
Julie volunteered to be it first, and of course she went after me. I tried to run behind people so she would go after them instead, but eventually she got my shoulder.
I clenched my teeth, fighting the urge to scratch the area and "cover up" the feeling.
Several rounds of tag later, I couldn't take it anymore. I was hot, and overwhelmed, and I needed everyone to stop touching me.
"Frank, your head is spinning. Are you okay?" Wally's flat voice accused. I sighed, using my hands to stop my head.
"I'm fine. Just a headache. It'll go away if I go home and sit for a while." Lying wasn't good, but it was easier to explain a headache than what I was actually feeling.
"Oh no! Feel better Frank!" Julie said, hugging me and squeezing tightly. I clenched my teeth once again.
Just bear it, it's just a few seconds, just bear it, I coached myself. After what felt like an eternity she finally released me and I started running home, barely pausing to wave goodbye.
I collapsed on my couch the second I got home. My head started spinning again and I just let it happen, squeezing my eyes shut to help with the dizziness.
When that was finally done I started scrubbing my arms with my hands, trying to make them feel normal again. I really needed to talk to Julie about the hugs.
She meant well; she genuinely believed that she was comforting me. After all, she always needed a hug when she was upset. I just didn't want to make her feel bad by explaining that the last thing I needed when I was already upset was a hug.
I shuddered, remembering the overwhelming scent of her shampoo combining with her arms pressing into mine. I scrubbed my arms harder. It was like I could still feel it.
Why did this have to happen? Why couldn't I just handle a simple game of tag? Why couldn't I handle a comforting hug? It was a good thing! Yet here I was, nearly crying over it.
There was a loud knock on the door, ripping me out of my thoughts. What now?
Eddie's P.O.V.
Julie had arranged a huge neighborhood tag game, and I was happy to join in. Even if I did trip once or twice. Or four times.
"Guys! I got Frank to come!" Julie announced when she got back. I smiled when I saw that Frank was indeed trailing behind her.
But my face fell as he got closer. They looked upset.
Frank always looked a bit grumpy, but there was a difference when he was genuinely upset. Their posture was more slouched and withdrawn. They seemed to glare at nothing. They snapped at people more quickly and aggressively.
I tried my best to keep my eye on them throughout the game. He only got more upset as we continued.
"Tag," Wally said, tapping Frank on the shoulder. Frank's head started to spin, and I got much more concerned. They were a lot more upset than they were letting on.
"Frank, your head is spinning. Are you okay?" Wally pointed out.
They used their hands to stop the spinning. "I'm fine. Just a headache. It'll go away if I go home and sit for a while," Frank said. They were failing to keep the annoyance out of his voice.
Julie ran up beside Frank and hugged them. "Oh no! Feel better Frank!"
They started running the moment Julie let them go.
Howdy raised an eyebrow. "Someone's in a grouchy mood."
"That was surprising, even for him," Barnaby agreed.
I bit my lip, watching as Frank ran to their house. "I… I better go check on him," I said, already walking away.
"That's probably a good idea. They always seem calmer around you," Julie pointed out.
"Sure. Y'all have fun!" I yelled behind me, speed-walking away. It was a short walk, small neighborhood and all, so I got there quickly.
I softly knocked on the door. Nothing happened for a minute, and I started to get worried. I was about to knock again when Frank opened the door.
His usually neat hair was messed up, loose strands across his face. "Your head was spinning again," I noted.
He brushed his hair out of his eyes. "Why are you here?"
I frowned. "I was worried about you. You've been in a bad mood all morning. Is everything okay?"
They sighed, pinching the bridge of their nose. "I don't even have the spoons to make up an excuse. Just… come in, I guess."
I followed them in. He flopped onto the couch, grabbing a throw pillow to squeeze. I sat beside them, my knee accidentally brushing Frank's. They jumped, flinching away.
My eyes widened. I wasn't expecting that. "Woah, you alright there?"
"I… No. Not really." They sighed.
I frowned, resisting the urge to reach for their hand. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Frank shrugged. "I guess so. It's just… Do you ever get in these moods where you can't stand being touched?"
I frowned, thinking about it. I was typically a big fan of hugs and high-fives. "I can't say I really do."
Frank sighed again. "Well, I do. It's just… so overwhelming. And today I was in one of those moods. So when we were playing tag, it was just too much. Every time someone touched me I just wanted to scrub the feeling away. Does that make sense?"
I frowned, eyebrows furrowing. "Like, to replace the feeling?"
They nodded. "Exactly. But I didn't want to worry anybody, so I couldn't. I just dealt with it until I had to leave. But then Julie hugged me before I could. She wanted to try and make me feel better, but I couldn't handle it anymore. That's why I ran off." They paused, briefly meeting my eyes. "I'm sorry for scaring you."
"Don't be! I'm sorry you had to deal with all that. It sounds awfully stressful." I watched with concern as he fidgeted with the button on their shirt cuff.
"It is."
I frowned even more. I hated the idea of Frank just struggling through this. "How often does stuff like this happen?"
They looked almost guilty, turning away from me. "It depends on other factors, but usually about once a week."
"Every week! Why haven't you told us before?" I resisted the urge to place a hand on his shoulder. I, like Julie, often used affection to help comfort people. But I imagined it wouldn't be very comforting in this case.
"I don't want to be difficult. It's really not that bad, I can handle it. You guys all mean well, I don't want to make you feel bad for something so… trivial." His voice was so quiet he was almost whispering.
"It's not you being difficult. It's you takin' care of yourself. You deserve to actually have fun, not be stressed the whole time while the rest of us have no idea," I said softly.
They slowly turned to me, wiping at the corner of their eye. "I-I… maybe you're right." He smiled very slightly.
"I do that sometimes."
They laughed quietly. "I think you're right more often than we give you credit for. Thank you for checking on me. You make me feel better." They paused, a hint of a blush on their face.
"I know it's ironic timing, but I think I might want a hug," they asked nervously.
I grinned, hugging him tightly.
"Thank you Eddie."
"Any time."