Chapter Text
frank really does try to act like he doesn't care about anyone or anything at all.
he relies on himself rather than other people. one thing you realized is that he never kept his hands still. always fidgeting around, tapping his fingers against something, or fingertip to fingertip. hes not still for a long enough time for anyone to notice how tense he really- truly -is.
oh, but you notice. you always do.
its starts with the small things.
the way he jolts when someone is too loud around him.
how he flinches when someone raises their hand too suddenly.
how he jokes around - like hes trying to hide something.
one night, the sky sets to a pretty color. all stars visible, everyone doing their own thing at their own spots. you look around, admiring everything before your eyes land on him. resting back on his palms as he zoned out on something. you never said anything, you just walk over to him. you sigh subtly and sit next to him, he jumps a bit, not even noticing someone walking up from behind him.
he glances over then goes back to looking at whatever he was zoned out on in the first place.
you bump your shoulder against his playfully, looking over at him before drifting your eyes elsewhere. "didnt know you hated company." you tease.
he never moved away, but never moved closer.
thats when you realize hes tense. real rigid. like hes bracing impact. waiting for you to get up and laugh at him, to pull away, to leave him alone.
so you do something completely different.
slowly, carefully, you let your hand rest against his.
he inhales sharply. clearly not expecting this at all.
for just a moment, you think you messed up. messed this whole thing up. that was until he curled his fingers around yours. he held on tightly. like you were his lifeline, the only thing keeping him from breaking down.
"...dont make this weird." he says quietly.
you dont tease him. you dont mess with him. you dont joke around.
"i wont." you make a promise to him. squeezing his hand for a moment to prove your promise.
hie grip tightens, his shoulders sag, all of his tension suddenly gone. he leans into you, just slightly, but it means everything.
"honestly, i forgot what this feels like.." he mumbles out, not wanting to he too loud. he didnt want the others to hear. let alone see them like this. "being... held. or whatever this is.."
"my poor baby..." you whisper, thumb brushing over his hand, providing all the comfort you can.
you stay. you let him hold onto you.
"skies pretty tonight.." you murmur, tilting your head to lean towards him. he nods in agreement and turns his head to look at you.
"yeah, it is.." he breathes out, admiring your face before looking back at the sky. his hand squeezes yours very subtly. not like he needed help or anything, but a silent thank you.
you smile softly and squeeze back. you keep looking at the stars above you, then you feel him shift a bit closer. he looks at you, almost testing the waters. "can i.?" he questions, eyes pleading for you to say yes.
you look at him, into his pretty, hazel eyes. literally how could you say no? you used your other hand and gently laid his head on your shoulder, fingers brushing through his hair subtly, before returning them to your side.
"hey, frank.?" you murmur, resting your cheek against his head. hearing a soft 'mhm?' come from him, you continued, "stay with me tonight? its okay if you dont want to, id understand."
he looked at you with almost unbelieving eyes. "r- really..? you want me to stay with you.?" he questions, his pretty eyes wide and hopeful as he looks up at you. clinging on like a lost puppy. it was cute.
you nod and kiss his forehead. "only if you want to." you assure him, looking down into his eyes.
he nods quickly, eyes squeezing shut. there was your answer.
this poor baby, so lost and alone. now attached and yours.