ORDER ONLY: Private Message to Frank

[alt_alice]

Love, you need to get some sleep.

Whatever you're working on can wait til tomorrow.

Is the Professor with you? I was hoping he'd spend the night here.

I wish he'd tell us what's been bothering him.

Comments

[alt_frank]

I'll be there in a few.

and no, he isn't in the greenhouse with me. I haven't seen him all day.

haven't seen much of him since the storm.

[alt_alice]

I'm worried about him, love. When he wrote me earlier, and was calling himself boot again...

I thought he was doing so well. He was so happy to talk to Neville, and now it's like he's going backwards again.

[alt_frank]

maybe we should sit him down.

maybe you should sit him down.

[alt_alice]

Oh, love, I think perhaps you ought to.

[alt_frank]

yeah.

I don't think he'll like it though. he doesn't seem like he's in a talking mood.

[alt_alice]

That's the pot calling the cauldron black.

[alt_frank]

I figured it would be more polite of me to keep my mouth shut.

[alt_alice]

Yes. Well. Molly and Bill were also far too polite to mention anything about your not talking to them.

So I suppose that makes you all equally polite. Congratulations.

Come up to bed, love.

[alt_frank]

we talked.

now I've got a professor on my lap.

and I feel like a giant piece of shite.

[alt_alice]

Oh?

[alt_frank]

he smelled it on me, al. that night. the night of the storm.

reminded him of carrow.

fuck.

he's been jumping at shadows and doesn't get why he can be safe and carrow dead and still be scared. he said he looks at his friends, and the kids here, and doesn't know how to be a normal kid himself. and that they'll never understand what he's been through. and he's bloody right.

[alt_alice]

I know you didn't intend for that to happen. I'd imagine quite a lot reminds him of that awful man.

And he's talking about it. Which is a start.

I have to think that's better than keeping it to himself.

[alt_frank]

don't let me off the hook this time, al.

[alt_alice]

I shan't.

But I also know you feel awful enough without my help.

I'll come in and give the Professor a hug, shall I?

[alt_frank]

yeah. come on down.