Chapter Text

Frank wandered inside, well aware of his teacher's eyes boring into his back. He hadn't known that this house belonged to his teacher, and if he had he would never have knocked on the door. Or maybe he would have - Frank didn't know. Maybe all the blows he had taken had gone to his head and he was left utterly confused.

The truth was, Frank had just needed somewhere to hide. Anywhere would have done, and after running until his sides ached and he couldn't breathe, Mr Way's house was the first house he had seen, and he jumped at the opportunity to escape his attackers. When he had seen his teacher - his teacher! - standing opposite him looking at him as if he had just grown two heads, he had to resist the urge to turn and run away. Never mind the ensuing awkwardness that would doubtless follow in his lessons with Mr Way, but if there was one thing he didn't want to do after being brutally beaten up, it was try to explain that to his History teacher.

Still, remembering the group of at least five men who were all stronger and meaner than Frank and who would have no qualms over beating him senseless, he decided it would be best not to run away and instead take refuge in the older man's house.

Mr Way's house was small, smaller than he would have expected him to have, but maybe the guy just liked cosy places? Frank didn't know and quite honestly, he didn't care. As long as it had walls and a roof and a front door that kept everyone who might want to harm him out, he was happy. Taking a step further, he eyed the sofa and the pizza hungrily, remembering he hadn't eaten since breakfast.

Frank was not a natural troublemaker. He didn't make trouble - he simply attracted it. He would never have been in yet another fight if the people hadn't approached him and provoked him first. He had just been minding his own business, enjoying a drink all on his own, when out of the blue this one guy sat down next to him. Frank hadn't thought anything of it since the man ordered a drink and didn't make any attempt to converse with Frank. He only began to grow suspicious when another man sat down on the other side of him, and he noticed them both leaning back in their seats an exchange words behind his back. It made him uneasy, and when he realised they were both flanked by their friends: two more on his right, one more on his led, he got up to leave. He didn't know they were following him until they were upon him, and by then it was two late.

Frank didn't know what their angle was. He hadn't been causing trouble and he didn't have anything worth stealing, but they still hit him and kicked him when he was down. It was by sheer luck he had managed to punch back at the one hitting him, causing him to stumble backwards and knock into one of his friends, that Frank was able to jump to his feet and start running.

He noticed Mr Way staring at him and realised he should probably say something before the teacher asked him to get the hell out. Unfortunately, Frank couldn't think of a thing to say. He cast his eyes around the room until they settled on the TV where a very familiar set of opening credits were playing.

"Hey! I love The Wolfman!" Frank blurted out before he could stop himself, and then mentally facepalmed. Now he was going to get kicked out for sure. He turned to see Mr Way looking at him completely confused, but the beginnings of an amused smile playing at his lips. Frank blushed furiously and kicked himself for being so socially uneducated.

"Yeah, it's great..." Mr Way began, and Frank could tell he was searching for the right words. "Frank, do you... Mind me asking what you're doing here?"

"Oh." Was all Frank said to start with. Then he swallowed and tried again. "Well, you see I ran into some trouble, and your house was the first I saw. I'm so sorry for the inconvenience. I'll go if you want?" Frank asked, putting on his best Respectful Voice and hoping his teacher would let him stay a little while longer. He had absolutely no idea where he was, it was dark and cold outside and the thought of going home and explaining his appearance to his mother didn't appeal to him. Thankfully, Mr Way seemed to understand.

"No, that's alright Frank. You can stay if you need to, but you'll have to tell me what happened in a little more detail than that." Frank opened his mouth to reply but Mr Way held up his hand to stop him. "Hold that thought. You're bleeding. You need get cleaned up."

He stood up and motioned for Frank to follow him. He followed the older man through the hall he had just walked through and then upstairs. He knew he should feel worried. After all, just because someone was your teacher doesn't mean they couldn't be dangerous, but Frank was oddly calm. Maybe it was because he had already gone through so much and he didn't think he could handle any more pain particular night. They passed a room with a poster hung on the wall and Frank couldn't help but stare at it as they walked.

"So Frank." Mr Way continued, gesturing for Frank to sit on the edge of the bathtub as they entered a small bathroom. Frank perched awkwardly on the edge while Mr Way sat on the - closed - seat of the toilet. Bringing out a bottle of something that smelt disgusting, he poured a little on a cotton pad and leaned forward to dab at the wounds in Frank's face. "You were about to tell me what happened to you?"

Notes

Um. Anybody reading this? I love you if you are. <3