TW// hypomania

Frank POV

We spend most of the day in the record store, I like it in there and I think Gee does too. Next door there’s a comic book store which we spend some time in before going to get some food at what must be about 2pm. We only have £2 so end up sharing a small portion of vegan noodles.
“They gave us fucking chopsticks” they giggle as we sit on a bench. My stomach rumbles as I smell our food, now is not the time to attempt to deal with chopsticks.
“You have to be kidding me” I groan, but find myself smiling nonetheless. I can hear them giggle as I assume they try to pick something up but inevitably drop it again “So how far away from using our fingers are we?” I joke.
“Very, do you realise how unhygenic that is?” they snap, leaving me taken aback. Before I can find anything to reply I hear them squeal and tell me they’ve got a piece “Open up Frankie” they coo.
I do as they say and the smell intensifies before I feel warm noodles being placed on my tongue. I close my mouth gratefully, and chew hungrily.
“Thanks dude” I grin. I listen as they fumble for another piece.
“Fuck this, you try” they groan, shoving a warm box into my lap and placing two sticks in my head. I stir the mixture slowly, oddly enjoying the sensation but with fuck all idea how i’m gonna do this. I push the sticks together and lift it up, disappointingly feeling nothing on the end. We both giggle slightly as I try again. A few attempts later I actually pick up something.
“Here, Gee” I murmur, holding it up in their direction. I feel them take the bite and the chopsticks become lighter.
“Okay my turn” they say once they’ve swallowed, grabbing the chopsticks out my hand. I smile fondly as they fumble for another piece, muttering under their breath. Eventually they exclaim, informing me they managed to get another mouthful “Here”
I open my mouth expectantly but suddenly feel something hot and wet hit my thigh and Gee burst out laughing.
“Shit sorry!” they giggle.
“Don’t fucking laugh” I whine but find myself giggling too. I end up with the chopsticks and manage to twist some noodles around them and get them into my mouth. Gee does the same after and for a few minutes we eat like that. Suddenly they let out a groan and I frown slightly.
“I just dropped some all down my jeans” they tell me, faking annoyance.
“Karma” I grin.
“Fuck you”
Suddenly I feel something wet hit my chest.
“You did not just” I exclaim, scraping the noodles off my chest as they laugh hysterically. Without thinking, I reach forward, our lunch in my gloved hand and deposit it on the flesh I touch. They cackle in response and moments later I feel something else hit my chest “Gee, we are not starting a food fight”
“And why not?” they hum and I feel something else hit my chest. I can’t help but giggle.
“Gee Way, stop throwing noodles at me before I pour the entire packet over your head” I say, sternly.
“Okay” they reply simply, but with a mischievous tone. I feel a moment of confusion before I feel their breath on me and a wet finger tracing a line down my forehead, nose and across my lips. I can taste the sauce and feel a line left behind on my face. They literally just drew a line down my face in sweet and sour sauce. For a moment I feel genuinely pissed off but it dissipates when I hear how pleased with themself they are. I almost call them a little shit but I remember that’s probably not the best idea, these few days I’ve noticed them take my usual sarcastic jokey insults personally. I read something the other day about people with aspergers often taking things literally and struggling to understand metaphor or sarcasm. Although, in this moment I sort of hate them, after all I have a line of sauce down my face and my tee’s probably ruined, I really do care about them and I don’t wanna upset them. I’m not letting them win though, I guess if you can’t beat them, join them.
I plunge my finger into the noodles, the texture unexpectedly pleasing. I linger longer than I should and lift my other hand up, towards Gee’s face. I feel some slightly brittle hair against the tips of my fingers. To my surprise, they don’t resist the touch as I move my hand to the right and reach their jawbone. It’s fuck all like a potato. I cup their face, using it as a reference point and move forward.
“Do cat whiskers!” they squeal, a silent giggle vibrating through them. Slowly, my sauce covered finger makes contact with their soft cheek. I run my finger along their smooth skin three times, hoping it resembles whiskers. I dip my finger back in the noodles and graze my left hand across their cheek, bumping against their nose to get my bearings.
“Don’t mind me, I’m just feeling your face” I laugh, realising how awkward this must be for them.
“I like it”
Their face is smooth and round but with a sharp jawline and small pixie nose, just how they described. I draw on some more whiskers and boop their nose, hopefully leaving a spot of sauce behind. They seem delighted by the sauce face paint and we decide it’s probably time to go. As the moment passes, I realise what just happened. We are in public, having a food fight before painting eachothers fucking face with sauce. Everyone must think we’re complete nutters.
“Hey Gee” I murmur, feeling for the napkin we were given “We should probably clean ourselves up”
“Noo, I wanna keep my whiskers” they whine.
“You literally have sweet and sour sauce on your face though”
“Rad”
I pause awkwardly for a moment. I’m not exactly embarrassed, I couldn’t be embarrassed by Gee, they’re adorable but I’m not exactly content with walking round town with someone with sauce whiskers on their face either.
“Okay, can you at least wipe off mine?” I relent. They agree and I feel their warm breath as they lean over and run the napkin down my nose. I feel them pick all the lumps off my tee and jeans before they dab round my mouth a little too, making me blush. Gently, they take my hand and wipe between my fingers and my gloved palm, now most likely stained with sauce. I hear them get up and I think they chuck the box in the bin and clean up their tee. Their hand pulls me up and we begin walking to the bus stop. The bus ride goes quickly, Gee chats excitedly.
“Can we use the zebra crossing this time?” I ask with a smile as we arrive at our stop.

***

“Frank, I, uh do you think Gee’s all you know there in the head?” my mum asks that evening as Gee gets up to use the toilet.
“Yes” I snap.
“Woah easy tiger, I was just asking, I don’t think it’s normal for a 17 year old who isn’t on some sort of illicit substance to paint whiskers on themself with pasta sauce”
“Actually, It’s noodle sauce, and I painted it on them” I grumble, folding my arms. I’m aware I’m being immature but honestly she’s kinda pissing me off. Who gave her the right to judge?
“Did you both go get high or something?”
“No!”
“Well you’re in a mood and they don’t seem normal”
I blank her. I am in a bit of a mood, today was fun but it hurts knowing tomorrow it’ll be over.
“Frank?”
“There’s no such thing as normal” I snap.
“So you’re not denying it?”
“We didn’t get fucking high”
“Okay, well I’m very fond of Gee, so I’m not judging or anything but don’t pretend like they’re normal, I want you to tell me if you know what’s making them act like this”
“They’re perfectly normal, they just have a few problems okay”
“Like what?”
“Like goddamnit mum, can you please keep your nose in your own business”
Just then the door swings open, and immediately I feel slightly calmer in Gee’s prescence. They sit down next to me and we put the telly back on, despite their incessant fidgeting. Mum drops the topic for the rest of the evening and we watch movies and eat pancakes before heading to bed.

***

“Frankie?” Gee chirps for the thousandth time “Do you like Bowie?”
“Yeah honey but I’m trying to sleep” I reply, the ‘honey’ slipping out without my permission “It’s late, it’s like- what time is it?”
“1:03am”
“Okay I’m gonna sleep, we’ll chat more in the morning” I roll over, facing away from them. My mind wanders as I drift off but I’m aware of them fidgeting on the campbed next to me.

***

I become aware of footsteps pacing back and fourth in my room as wake up suddenly. I can tell it’s still night.
“G-Gee?” I murmur sleepily.
“Yes” they reply stopping suddenly but tapping their foot quickly.
“What time is it?”
“3:39”
“Have you slept?”
“No. I can’t”
I can tell they’re incredibly agitated.
“Are you okay?” I ask, concerned.
“Uh yeah. Do you want me to do anything? Like can I go cook something?”
“I’m not sure that’s the best idea, come and get some sleep”
“I said I can’t”
I put my glasses on and sit up.
“Come and sit” I murmur, patting the bed next to me.
They walk towards me and I feel the bed dip but immediately they stand up as if it’s on fire and walk to the other side of the room, pacing again.
“Whats up?” I ask unsure what to do.
“I don’t know, I’m so fidgetey and ugh I’m really pissed off at nigel farage I mean why would people even support that racist scumbag like all he does is comment on things that have fuck all to do with them, I swear he’s the next hitler”
I suppress a giggle at the randomness of the outburst.
“I- I uh agree, but I mean how are you?”
“Okay”
Suddenly they stop pacing and walk to my bedside cabinet.
“This is cute” they comment, tapping their foot again.
“What?”
“This little guitar keyring with a photo of you and brendon urie in”
“Thanks I guess”
They hover, analysing it for a few moments.
“Can we go for a walk?” they ask.
“I’m not so sure Gee” I trail off “Come and sit and listen to some music through my headphones”
“Can I please!?” they squeal excitedly “My headphones broke so I’ve not listened to music for weeks”
“Okay” I mutter, struggling to hold up a conversation because of how tired I am “My phones around somewhere”
“I got it”
I zone out slightly, nodding off.
“Screen unlocked. 3:46am” my phone blares, snapping me awake.
“Sorry” Gee mumbles.
“Scree- Scree- Scree- Homescreen. Options. Homescreen. Homescr- Homescr- Homescr- Screen locked” it repeats as they struggle to use it, hissing profanities.
“How the fuck do I use this?” they cry.
“Turn the goddamn volume down or plug in the headphones before you wake my mum up, if u run your finger across the screen it tell you what you’re on, then double tap on the one you want. If you’re scrolling use two fingers. Just tapping what you want will just make it repeat what it is, double click to open it”
I listen fondly as they try to work it, still pacing, as I doze off slightly.
“Got it!” they exclaim delightedly. I hear the buzz of music through the earphones after a few moments. A few minutes later the bed dips as they sit down. I can still hear their foot tapping the floor, but slightly slower in time to the music. They lay back and rest their head on my belly, still pretty agitated. I fall asleep a matter of seconds later.

***

“Frankie?” Gee cuts into my dreams. I slept with my glasses on again damnit. I feel my heart sink as I remember Gee has school today “I don’t want to go”
“I-I don’t want you to either” I mumble sleepily. I become aware of the fact they’re sat next to me, upright I think, twitching. Memories of last night return and I feel my heart pang.
“Did you get any sleep?” I question.
“Nope” they reply, popping the ‘p’.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah I’m great”
Is that good? Suddenly my alarm starts ringing out but they silence it almost immediately.
“I braided my hair” they announce. I hum in response as they grab my hand and run it through their hair. I don’t expect it to feel wet and I pull my hand away instinctively at the unexpected sensation.
“Why is your hair wet?” I ask.
“I had a shower”
I nod and reach up again feeling Gee’s warm scalp and loads of cold, damp braids.
“Seems cool” I murmur. Suddenly a thought strikes me “How did you secure them?”
“I couldn’t find any bands so I just like tied knots in the actual hair” they explain. Oh fuck.
“Shit that can’t be good for your hair” I mutter, sitting up.
“Oops”
“Here, let me brush them out” I say, reaching into the bedside drawer and getting the brush “Come and sit”
They agree and sit in front of me. I run my fingers into their hair, enjoying the sensation. I can feel the bed vibrate as they bounce up and down, but they seem slightly calmer compared to earlier. I’m not sure how they haven’t completely worn themself out. I run my fingers down a braid and reach a messy knot at the end. Carefully, I pick it apart and moments later the plait comes loose. Softly, I separate it out and run my fingers through the tangles. That was surprisingly easy. I pick up another braid and repeat the process before moving onto the next. Half an hour must pass of me unbraiding their hair and them talking at a hundred miles an hour. Honestly, I lose track of what they are on about but just their voice makes me unable to stop smiling. I note how they’re rocking backwards and forwards slightly and keep moving around, causing me to pull their hair a couple of times.
“Done” I announce as I realise I’ve just undone the last braid “Can I brush it out?”
“Yeah” they reply. Carefully I run the brush through their locks, being careful not to hurt them. They let out a squeak as I get caught on one knot, making me feel guilty. After a while they become too fidgety and I give up, it’s almost done anyway. They stand up and pace for a little bit before going into the bathroom.
I must doze off again because I wake up to them sitting themselves in front of me. I can sense how full of energy they still are and I pull them round, facing away from me, just like a few moments ago. I slouch down slightly and let them flop back, their head resting on my chest. I can hear their hands tapping incessantly and I take a risk, snake mine down and interlock our fingers. They hum happily and we stay like that for a few moments. I can hear their breathing and can feel their chest rise and fall on my belly. Suddenly they sit up, I groan, as beautiful as the moment was it was never going to last.
A few minutes later, my mum comes in and I have to get ready. Before I know it, it’s 8:20 and time for Gee to go to school. We walk to the door and I nibble my lip ring anxiously. My mum’s in the kitchen, leaving me to see them out. It’s lucky I have these sunglasses because I may or may not be tearing up. It’s so weird, why the hell am I getting emotional? We’ll be chatting on the phone in a few hours.
“Uh thanks for having me” they mutter.
“It’s nothing”
“Call me later also please can we hang out some more? I’ve loved spending all this time with you”
“Of course Gee, it’s been so rad we need to do this again”
I hold my arms out offering a hug and they accept, squeezing me title.
“Okay bye Frankie”
“Yeah I uh b-bye” I stammer feeling awkward and far too emotional. This is probably the point they’re supposed to leave but they stay where they are. Suddenly, I feel a pair of soft lips crash into mine. Holy shit. I freeze my mind imploding. They’re kissing me. Holy fuck we’re kissing. Shit Frank. How do I? I’ve never actually kissed anyone before. I feel their lips moving against mine. This is amazing. The butterflies in my stomach are having a fucking disco. Wait I need to kiss back. I move my lips slightly, unsure of what to do but the slight movement making my
heart skip a beat. As quick as it started, they pull back and I hear their footsteps race down the path.

Notes

PLZ READ

Hey so it's been 3 whole fucking weeks n i am so damn sorry. I've probably mentioned it in the notes before but i cba to look back but basically I just got evicted and everything been really shitty. And not only have I had a horrible case of writers block on all my fics, I think all this stress isn't helping with my creativity but everythings been really hectic and honestly fanfiction hasn't been my main focus recently. It's currently 5:19am and I've not slept. This isn't an unusual occurance tbh. I'm staying @ my aunty's which is okayish, i mean it could be better, after all i'm typing this from a floor that i'm calling a bed. However, tomorrow we should get some council temporary accommodation. Basically there's this tiny little bungalow in this block with a communal kitchen but your own bathroom and 2 albeit tiny bedrooms. Which isn't bad, and is so much better than a b+b or somewhere which is where I thought we'd end up. We will be there for 6months to a year so hopefully I should be able to get settled and get back in the swing of updating. Don't expect too much from me in the next few days, moving into a new place will make things very hectic plus idk how long it'll take to set up wifi and stuff. But yeah i am so sorry for the lack of updates but I hope this is a decent explanation and if u could just give me a lil bit more time, I should be able to get a lil bit of my own space sorted, my life a lil bit more stable n a semi regular update routine <3