Hunger

April (part 1)

They agreed to go slow to really get to know each other. There was a lot of making out, and keeping it at that was at times very difficult, but Frankie needed to be comfortable and Harry understood the importance of that. He never rushed her or went any further than she wanted him to. Instead he spent time with her, and made sure she knew that he wanted to get to know her. Frankie was aware that things were probably moving at a much slower pace than Harry was used to, but he never seemed to grow tired or impatient. He was just super attentive and considerate, always asking questions and continuously showing her that he was listening. He bought her favorite flowers and had them delivered to her work. He baked an apple pie, after she had told him the scent of those always made her think of her nan. He made a playlist on Spotify, where he added all the songs she mentioned, and he bought all the books she read and loved. 

He joined her and her friends at the pub, laughed with her friends and made it easy for Frankie to see him as a part of her life, someone she could count on. He would hold her hand, rest his hand on her lower back, and kiss her whenever she allowed it. Frankie was in control, which made it easier for her to relax, and let him in. She shared thoughts and memories that gave a deeper understanding of why she was in need of so much control. In return he opened up about his life and the difficulties he had been through. It wasn't just her, who needed to let him in; it went both ways.

They spent time at both their homes, but more often at Harry's place. There was peace and quiet, as they had the whole place to themselves. He picked her up after work and they went to his house, where he cooked her dinner or picked up take-away on the way. She was working on feeling comfortable eating in his company, and he patiently let her pick what she wanted to eat. He was kind and attentive and generally he sought to understand. So he read about social eating anxiety to be supportive. Frankie knew he wanted to understand, and she appreciated his wish to do so. And she felt there was a change in her, a pleasant one that she wasn't quite ready to label, but she knew it had everything to do with the safety Harry provided. 

***

Frankie was often in the office until late. Her team were mostly people with families, and so she offered to take the extra hours, working overtime since she didn't - officially - have someone waiting for her at home. 

"Thanks for picking me up," Frankie said and smiled at Harry, as he picked her up after a long day with a couple of hours overtime. She got into the passenger seat of his Tesla X, and leaned closer to kiss him. She lingered for a moment smiling at him. He smiled cheekily and bit his bottom lip, letting her hang for a moment. She chuckled and looked at him with begging eyes. He leaned forward and kissed her, putting her out of her misery. She giggled against his lips, and gave him five quick kisses, before she leaned back and clicked her seatbelt in. 

"Where to, miss?" Harry asked putting on a posh accent. 

Frankie laughed and thought for a moment. "How about your place, scrabble and pizza?" She suggested. 

Harry nodded, started the car, and drove off towards Hampstead Heath, only stopping to pick up a pizza. 

They sat in the sitting room on the floor, playing an intense round of scrabble. Harry was deeply concentrated, thinking out his next move. Frankie was sipping wine, looking at him over the brim of the wineglass. She smiled to herself, finding him incredibly cute when he concentrated. He had a serious look in his eyes, leaning his chin on his hands, deep in thought. He bit his lip as he moved the letter tiles around in front of him.

"I see you looking at me, you know?" He said without looking up at her. "You can't intimidate me, Miss Evans." 

Frankie giggled and shook her head. "I wasn't trying to. You are just so adorable when you concentrate. I love the way you..." She trailed off as he looked at her. She grimaced at her own choice of words. Using the word 'love' in any connection to him was probably not appropriate at the stage they were at. She swallowed hard and took an extra sip of her wine, while she looked away and tried to pretend she hadn't said anything.