l o n e l y b o y ;

-is shaking terribly, trying to hold in her tears, but as soon as she can’t anymore, as soon as the first sob escapes she just moves to him, her words caught up in her throat as she presses herself to him, her arms winding tightly around his frame- I-I’m so s-sorry… 

[feels his throat tighten at her sobbing and apologies, shaking his head and rubbing her arm reassuringly, feeling scared for her] Val... why? Why are you doing this? You're s-s-so beautiful... you don't n-need to do this...

-her lip starts trembling as she looks away from him, panicking when he reaches out to her, pulling herself back to sit against the wall, bringing her knees up to her chest- F-Fuck. You weren’t s-supposed to… I c-can handle this, just.. y-you… -drops her head down and hides them in her knees, wanting to just disappear right now, overwhelmed- 

[shudders and shuffles after her, wanting to hold her and make sure she's okay, because she doesn't look okay and he's not okay either and fuck, when did everything go to shit? swallows, scooting beside her and lacing an arm around her shoulder in an attempt to make her feel better, breathing shallow] V-Val, don't be silly. I'm not- I'm not going to say anything. Just l-let me hold you, alright? Y-You're okay.

-doesn’t hear the door until it’s too late, and when she sees him, she just stops breathing for a moment, completely frozen in panic and shame, her mouth falling open in shock, and when she does finally speak, her voice is unusually high, her heart pounding in her ears- Y-You’re not supposed to… t-to be here… 

[just stands there for a moment in a shocked stupor, unsure of what to do before his instincts kick in and he walks toward her, kneeling beside her, hands shaking as he reaches out toward her desperately] Val, please...

-is in the bathroom, the tap in the sink on loud to block the sound as she leans over the toiler seat, her stomach already empty but she still hasn’t moved, catching her breath, not expecting anyone to walk in on her right now-

[hesitates outside the door before opening it, stopping abruptly at the sight of her as his eyes bug out, blinking a few times before stammering] V-V-Valerie? Are you s-sick? [can tell from the sight of her that no, she is not sick, but something inside of him hopes for it anyways as he stares at her, eyes wide]

Cas. [looks at him, expression honest and genuine] I’m not angry with you. I just gotta go sort this out, alright?

-looks up at him, feeling a bit more relieved, but not wholly better- Okay, Frankie… good luck. 

[nods and smiles thinly, furrowing his brow as he turns away and wanders down the hall, trying to figure out where Val has gone]

-frowns, shaking his head- No, I don’t mind… just… shit, I’m sorry. -looks at the floor again- I wasn’t thinking. 

Cas. [looks at him, expression honest and genuine] I'm not angry with you. I just gotta go sort this out, alright?

[widens his eyes, slightly taken aback] N-nothing at all?

She just… sort of… -sighs- She started crying. 

[curses underneath his breath, running a hand through his hair] I'd better go check on her. Do you mind?

[shakes his head, mouth open slightly] I… it’s fine. Just… what did she say?

-just frowns at the floor, a sinking feeling in his stomach- She… she didn’t say anything. 

[widens his eyes, slightly taken aback] N-nothing at all?

[quietly] Did you tell her?

-mumbling- I… Frankie, I had to. 

[shakes his head, mouth open slightly] I... it's fine. Just... what did she say?

[raises both eyebrows now] about?

-looks down at his feet- Just… uh.

[quietly] Did you tell her?

[glances at Cas, raising an eyebrow] What were you two talking about?

-blinks- Oh, we were… just talking. 

[raises both eyebrows now] about?

[blinks and looks at her for a moment, cocking an eyebrow] ‘course…

[glances at Cas, raising an eyebrow] What were you two talking about?

[nods and smiles, running a hand through his unkempt hair and shrugging his shoulders] I’m fine. [is quite pleased with how easily that lie falls from his lips, satisfied with himself]

-nods and smiles, looking distant for a moment before she gets to her feet rather suddenly- Would you excuse me for a moment? 

[blinks and looks at her for a moment, cocking an eyebrow] 'course...

-sets the Butterbeer down as well, going to sit down on the couch- Oh, I’ve been alright. Just… school. -almost feels like she doesn’t want to ask the question, afraid of the answer, regardless of if it’s positive or negative- How, um… how are you? 

[nods and smiles, running a hand through his unkempt hair and shrugging his shoulders] I'm fine. [is quite pleased with how easily that lie falls from his lips, satisfied with himself]

[is slightly confused since he only caught the very last half of their conversation, but can assume it was about him. Smiles at Val, nodding and settling the glasses down before accio-ing a bowl off the kitchen counter for the crisps, pouring them in] So how have you been..?

[hesitates in the doorway of the living room out of sight, eyebrows furrowed slightly as he hears the last snippets of their conversation, waiting until they’ve finished before plastering a smile on his face and ambling back into the room, chips, cups and butterbeer in hand] Miss me?

[glances over at Cas, a questioning look on his face as Val takes the butterbeer from him before turning to Val, a dopey smile on his face] You're the guest. Aren't you supposed to be relaxing?