𝓹𝓾𝓭𝓭𝓲𝓷'

franklin. merlin, he used to hate HEARING that – his mum’ way of setting him straight rather than the classic frankie and yet coming from HER, warmth coursed through him. something about it felt like HOME and all he could do was give her hand a squeeze, he was NOTHING compared to how he felt – what he wanted to say. how could he tell her that he was starting to realize that she was EVERYTHING to him and all she had to do was look at him the way she was right now and he was hers, “thank you–” was what he settled with, the breathy reply as they weaved through the crowd, soon drifting away from the NOISE. 

 “yes–” he didn’t hesitate, he didn’t need to think, all he knew was that she was right, this felt RIGHT and he needed her to pull him out of his own head and worries and get this right, “as my dad would say – i’d rather regret the choices that i did make, then the ones i didn’t–” he murmured, a hint of amusement in his gaze as he brought their hands to his lips, pressing a kiss against the back of her hand quickly.

 “i’m glad that i don’t make you want to pass out – i know that my hotness could get a bit OVERWHELMING –” he teased, “you’ve always been my person – THIS doesn’t change that, but what i need and want out of life has changed –” he started, “i’m not going to attempt to understand WHERE this came from – we’re going to be running in circles if we go there. i just know that from the second i wrapped my arms around you, things felt different and i don’t really want to STOP–” 

alice.

when he unabashedly pressed a soft kiss onto her hand, alice couldn’t regroup quickly enough to even try and conceal the bright blush that erupted on her cheeks, her eyes widening visibly though the hazel hues revealed nothing less than pure joy. it wasn’t often that anyone drew such a genuine response from her but if anyone were to do so, it’s no wonder it was frank. ❛ your dad really is a wise man. you should listen to him more often. ❜ she scrambled to say, offering him a subtle smile before tugging his hand so he would move quicker on their way to the castle. it was beginning to get colder now that they were decently far away from the festivities and she wasn’t looking forward to sneaking through the otherwise empty halls. the last thing they needed was to bump into filch and have their evening plans ruined. 

❛ they don’t have to stop. ❜ she whispered eventually, once they’d finally reached the entrance to ravenclaw tower. they found themselves in quite a compromising position once more, huddled close together as they waited for the door to present itself so they could finally escape the cold and settle in by the fire. being with her best friend following this strange revelation was proving to be quite difficult already, seeing as he could distract her so easily. the entrance had presented itself minutes prior but alice had hardly noticed, her gaze lost within frank’s eyes. ❛ i think i can take your looks frankie, clearly we’ve made it thus far. you think you’ll make it through the night looking at me though? maybe that thing that felt differently was you actually realising i’m really hot and you totally want to kiss me. ❜

“WOAH – it’s hard, alright? also, the last time i attempted i was hopped up on whiskey and whatever in merlins name was in that punch that night – that’s why i was LACKING –” falling back into place – their banter – it was something that could just disappear despite whatever ELECTRICITY they were experiencing. it was a fear – or had been, possibly still lingering, relationships had always been a compromise – to some extent he would have to give something up, maybe it was the easiness of transparency or his unfiltered behaviour. he had been walking on egg shells with ariel, the last thing he had ever wanted to do was HURT her and yet they still arrived at the same outcome. what if he did that to alice? he couldn’t –

WARMTH was what he felt as her hand slipped into his – she had this way of pulling him out of his head. smile widening as she entwined their hands, she didn’t even know what she did to him and yet it was enough. he’d trust her to keep his worries at bay, “is that a PROMISE?” cocking a brow, “i think i could let you keep me hostage for a night, doubt that anyone would be too CONCERNED–” it would be a miracle if his dorm-mates made it back in one piece let alone noticed his absence. 

“hey–” squeezing her hand to draw her attention to him, “MISTAKES don’t exist when it comes to you – it NEVER has and al, we could spend the rest of the night napping or pissing peeves the fuck off and it would still make my top three, but if DIFFERENT is on the table, i’m not trying to give into a life of self-loathing by not TRYING –” 

“are you sure? i’m not really sure of what we’re sure of – but, you know what i mean? is this ODD? because this feels BIG – do you think that this is a mistake?” he rambled, his gaze searching hers – trying to see if he could see even a flicker of hesitation. 

alice.

❛ they always blame the alcohol, don’t continue to perpetuate that silly little notion that men carry around frankie, we both know you’re better than that. it’s okay to admit they confuse you.❜  alice teased him lightly, full well knowing frank truly was bright enough to slip past the ravenclaw entrance. hell, even that night they were recounting he had managed to get to the answer. it was just delivered in pieces broken up by drunken hiccups which was inadmissible, probably due to the fact that drinking wasn’t exactly an activity condoned within the castle walls. ❛ if there’s one thing i know about you franklin longbottom is that you will NEVER be lacking. ❜ 

he had a way with words that even he was probably unaware of. the ease with which he navigated through her thoughts and squandered any trace of insecurities that might have begun to bury themselves within her subconscious. and it truly was terrifying, he’d said it himself it was something BIG but there was a world of possibilities laid out in front of them and no matter how frightening, she’d always take her chances for him.  ❛ well i like DIFFERENT things. and i’m not in the business of caution when it comes to something that feels... for lack of a better word, right. because that’s what if feels like isn’t it? RIGHT?❜

“come on al, you had me from the day you decked greenwood and defended my honor–” he murmured, adoration blaring, “i’ve got my own personal bodyguard – you think i’d let go of that so easily?” yet nothing about the expression on his face complied with his humour. it was the first moment he felt SAFE – when you’re a kid, finding that person who made everything okay, it seemed like a myth and yet with al, he felt like he could BREATHE. 

he felt SICK – not the kind that came with a horrible bout of the flu, the kind that had his stomach twirling into nots and his face stretching with red – the kind that could easily spout from mortification and spontaneous choices. should he take it back? come up with some lame excuse to get out of there? watching her silently as she made a choice – despite how much he knew how irate she got early in the morn when someone even reached for the food, the look she gave him when she knew he was off – that face she made when she craving due to her curiosity, he never really knew what went on in that head of hers when her gears got churning. 

“yeah?” he breathed out, he couldn’t contain his surprise as his eyes widened ever so slightly, “you sure you’re up for answering a riddle at this hour–” he mused, starting to move as he held out his hand for her to take, he couldn’t shake the smile he was sporting – ALICE FORTESCUE just had that effect on HIM. 

alice.

they were at an impass, she could see it now. it was the tipping point, the choice that would define the very nature of their relationship from that point onward and it was daunting.... but so EXCITING. because that’s all that she could really think about, how much she just wanted to take his hand and abandon everything that surrounded them. fear prickled at the edges of her fantasy but it wasn’t overwhelming enough to deter her from actually taking the plunge, not when his smile served as the light at the end of the tunnel. ❛ i guess for you i’ll make a bit of an exception. ‘sides, you’re the only one that actually finds those riddles difficult. ❜ 

there it was again, that fluttering in her chest that was oddly satisfying, coaxing a soft laugh past her lips. pure joy was an emotion so rarely found lately that alice needed to be selfish for that moment and bask in it wholeheartedly, or so she told herself as she happily took his hand, boldly interlocking their fingers in a firm grip before moving to keep up with him on their walk back to the castle. it was a new stance they found themselves in but it didn’t take long to get used to it. if she didn’t know any better she’d say it was almost like that’s where she belonged. 

he couldn’t fight the smile that tugged at his lips, she had that effect on him and despite their countless years together, he wasn’t IMMUNE. he wasn’t sure if he believe her, but merlin he WANTED too, he wanted things to be okay again. maybe he was being naive, he knew the political climate was just getting horrific by the day, and their his father was in the gob-smack middle of it and yet a part of him wanted to believe her. that it would just take a bit of time, that moment during the summer was enough to mend the rift that had been growing, “thanks –” he murmured, eyes peering at her so ERNEST and thankful for her presence in his life. 

“al, not even the full story is going to make stabbing someone with a bloody spoon SANE. you couldn’t just punch me on the shoulder and call it a day? nope, your cranky little butt decided that stabbing people with cutlery is a fair PUNISHMENT–” he huffed, despite the tone he took – he couldn’t hide the MIRTH in his gaze, or the way his lips occasionally twitched up. everything about the girl reeked HAPPINESS, she was enough of an optimist for the both of him and he knew that what she wanted was for him to have a good time and despite himself, he fell into the TRAP. 

“we both know that you’re the farthest thing from TERRIBLE –” he murmured, she tugged at his loops barely moving him, as he willingly took a step into her space, finger under her chin as he tipped her head up, his features softening as she went on, “i know the FEELING –” he admitted softly, he hadn’t known what it was before, unable to put his finger on it and yet that lurch that he felt when he first saw her in the crowd came RUSHING back. it was a symptom he once felt BEFORE – not to this degree and the more he looked at her, the clearer it got. 

he cleared his throat, gaze breaking from hers, as his hands dropped to his sides, he couldn’t cloak it - he couldn’t wipe that look from his face and fuck, he was in DEEP. he didn’t know what to do with the way she was looking a him and he was pretty sure he had just given her a glimpse of his soul. he didn’t know if he wanted to kick himself or curse skeeter’s existence more than anything, “do you want to get some air? i mean - fuck, we’re OUTSIDE – plenty of air out here, but there’s people and merlin, it’s LOUD – do you want to just get some quiet?”

alice.

alice shrugged off his gratitude, offering him a soft smile. there was no need to thank her for doing what came natural to her, helping him see the light where there was barely any. after all, frank of all people deserved it. ❛ well maybe i am a little crazy but who said that’s necessarily a bad thing? surely keeps you entertained enough. it’s just my way of keeping you around, always guessing and trying to see what’s coming next. ❜ 

❛well now we both know you’re just lying. ❜ her voice was soft, in part because she was far too focused on the electric jolts coursing through her body that stemmed from the spot where he tapped her chin, her pearly white teeth slowly sinking into her lower lip as he went on and agreed with her, though his gaze conveyed a message far more powerful than his words. for the first time in well... EVER... alice was speechless. no sly remark about how he was blushing or stumbling on his own words, no caring jab pointing out how the mood between them had shifted drastically; nothing came to mind. or a lot did, but she couldn’t bring herself to actually say it, in fear of somehow ruining the moment.

“his favourite fortescue? what makes you think that you BEAT your father –” he mused, laughter spilling from his lips as he gave her a nudge. “woah – it was one match. i was confused at one match and now i’m plagued with a lifetime of RIDICULE –” the trip had done them good, he could tell that the air was tense between his parents – their latest argument of how close his father was getting to this potential rift in the wizarding world had her unsettled and he needed the break, he could feel it, “we had a good time – i think he came out of it a bit better–” he murmured, his eyes searching hers, if anyone could understand him – his very thought and worry that plagued his dreams, it was the brunette before him. 

“SHARE? not what you said that one time i took a bite out of your scone. al, you stabbed me with a SPOON. which by the way, hurt like a bitch – very underrated weapon–” he chuckled, shaking his head as he spun on his heel to face her, hands on her shoulders as stilled them, “are you trying to forget tonight?” cocking a brow, “hauling your arse to your dorm might be a bit difficult if you can’t recall the password – the last time we got shitfaced, i nearly got into with the fat lady – you’re on your own kid–”

alice.

❛ i think it’s because i’m a tad bit fitter than my good old papa, but that’s just a personal opinion. ❜ once their conversation veered in the direction of his life at home and the turmoils his parents were going through, the brunette knew to cut back on the jokes and simply offered an understanding smile. times were hard for all families and it pained her to see that the person she held closest to her heart was suffering from the backlash of situations that were out of their control. ❛ unsurprisingly. anyone that gets to spend so much as an evening with you can always count on their mood rising. i’m sure it was just what both of you needed, even your mum. things are looking up frankie, you’ll see. i promise. ❜ she was in no position to make any sort of promise, yet she willed the words to be true as soon as they’d floated past her lips. she wanted nothing more than to make him smile for she knew the darkest corners of his soul and yearned to shed light and rid him of any pain. 

❛mind if i take this seat? i know it’s only been a few days but i guess i’ve jumped into term with awkward footing and i’m one essay behind. ❜ alice balanced the books she carried delicately as she pulled lowered herself onto the seat beside sybil, granting the girl a soft smile. ❛ how are you doing by the way syb?❜

    “ I’m absolutely golden, “  kitty said, feeling a note of incredulity wind its way into her voice. she took a healthy pull of her drink to punctuate the statement, and it was perhaps more honest than her words  —  an abbott tended to be more happier drowning discomfort than greeting it.  “ the welcome back party, it’s  …  it’s dumb, but it feels like things are finally settling. I’m glad you had a good break, though. um, I did too, but I guess home’s no paris. “

alice.

❛if you’re sure, then that’s all that really matters.❜ alice nodded slowly, keeping a keen eye on the blonde regardless. she’d hate for the night to turn sour for any of her friends especially given how special it was supposed to be. a night of celebration to commemorate them finally moving onwards, a time for healing though most hadn’t found closure. ❛ i’ll take anything at this point. something to cheer us up i guess? but sure paris was alright, it was mostly all about visiting family. maybe next time i’ll convince my mum to let me bring a friend if you’d like to come with? maybe over the holidays. ❜