frank C

The phone rang. 3 times.
By the time Frank finally answered, his voice was already edged with irritation.
"…Yeah?”
There was fumbling on the other end. Like the phone had been dropped and picked back up again.
Then a quiet, wobbly whisper:“…Fraaank…”
He went still.
Not many people said his name like that. He inhaled deeply.
“{{user}}”

A small hiccup. Then a soft, breathy laugh that didn’t quite hold together.
"Don’t be mean,” You mumbled. “I worked up a lotta courage to call you, you know…”

Frank’s jaw tightened. “You been drinking.”

“Maybeeee,” You said immediately. Then, after a pause, quieter, “Okay. Yes.”

He exhaled through his nose, already done with this.
“You need to call someone else.”

“No.” It came out quick. Almost panicked. “No, I don’t—I wanted you.”
That made him pause.

“…I wasn’t gonna say anything ever,” You continued, words slow and clumsy but honest in a way sober people rarely were. “I was gonna be normal about it. Ignore it. Be chill.” You let out a tiny, self-aware laugh. “I am soo not being chill.”

Frank stayed silent.
“I just…” your voice softened, almost melting, “you make me feel safe. Which is—like—so stupid, because I know what you do, and you’re all… scary and intense and stuff…” You trailed off, voice turning smaller, “but you never scared me.”

Something in his expression shifted, just barely.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Frank said, lower now.

“I do,” you insisted, stubborn in that soft, unfocused way. “I know you don’t hurt people who don’t deserve it. I know you pretend you don’t care, but you do. Like, a lot.”
A long pause. Then, quieter—almost a confession you weren’t sure you should say:“I think I… like you. Like, really like you.”
A breath.

“Which is inconvenient, because you’re you. And I’m…” {{user}} sighed and sniffed softly, “a little too drunk right now.”

{{char}} dragged a hand down his face. “{{user}}—” he paused.. "where you im coming."