The haunting of father Frank. (Frank X Eddie)

3.

The sun started to rise the next morning, casting a warm light into the window beside the bed.....Frank slowly blinked his eyes open, the golden rays filtering through the curtains and dancing across his room. He yawned softly, the remnants of sleep still clinging to him like a cozy blanket. Before sitting up, he stretched his arms over his head, feeling the gentle pull in his muscles, and sighed with a sense of relief as he placed his arms down.

Frank took a moment to gather his thoughts, allowing the tranquility of the morning to wash over him before he finally got out of bed. The floor felt cool beneath his feet as he walked to the dresser, where the familiar sight of neatly folded clothes awaited him. He opened the drawer and picked out a few items, placing them on the bed as he mentally prepared for the day ahead. Rubbing his eyes to shake off the last vestiges of sleep, he began to undress, feeling the fabric slide off his skin.

As he changed his knickers and slipped into new ones, After getting dressed in his day clothing, he made his way to the bathroom. The sight that greeted him in the mirror made him cringe; his hair was a wild mess, sticking out in all directions. With a resigned sigh, he set to work styling it, carefully arranging each strand into the familiar look he had perfected over the years.

Once satisfied with his hair, Frank put his finger under his eye and felt the small bags that had formed overnight. He winced slightly, reminding himself that he needed to get more sleep. But for now, he grabbed his toothbrush and began the morning ritual of brushing his teeth, savoring the minty freshness that filled his mouth. A few minutes later, he rinsed and exited the bathroom, feeling more awake and ready to face the world.

Back at the dresser, he reached for a bow tie, the finishing touch to his outfit. He slipped it around his neck and adjusted it with care, glancing at his reflection in the mirror. A small smile crept onto his face as he admired the polished look he had managed to achieve. With a final nod to himself, he opened the door, only to be met by a familiar face who seemed to be doing the same.

Eddie stood on the other side of the door, his expression brightening as their eyes met. Frank got slightly startled, and for a moment, they both paused, caught in a moment of surprise. "Well, good mornin' Mr. Frank," Eddie said with a big, infectious smile. Frank felt a rush of warmth at the greeting, but he quickly masked it with a nonchalant demeanor. "Ah...good morning," he replied, closing the door behind him and walking away, not daring to look at Eddie for a moment longer.

"Hey, wait!" Eddie called out, his voice trailing after Frank as he caught up. "I wanted to say a proper apology. I really didn't mean to run into ya' yesterday." The sincerity in Eddie's voice was evident, and Frank felt a flicker of annoyance mixed with understanding. "I know, you told me yesterday," Frank replied, trying to keep his tone neutral

"Yeah, but I still feel bad," Eddie insisted, his smile faltering just a bit.

"Well...you shouldn't. Besides, it wasn't like I got hurt," Frank said, looking up at Eddie, who seemed to take his words to heart. The tension between them eased slightly, and Eddie's small smile returned. "Well, alrighty," he replied, his tone lightening the mood further. Frank looked forward again, his mind racing with thoughts as they walked in silence, the morning sun casting a warm glow around them.

"So, where are you from?" Eddie asked, breaking the silence with genuine curiosity. Frank raised an eyebrow, surprised by the question. "You mean country, or where I was before traveling here?" he replied, trying to gauge Eddie's interest. "Uh...country," Eddie clarified, his eagerness evident. "Egypt," Frank answered, watching as Eddie's eyes widened in surprise.

"Woah, I've always wanted to go there. Do you know the language?" Eddie asked, his enthusiasm palpable. Frank felt a swell of pride at the mention of his homeland. "I was born in Egypt. But my parents moved out of Egypt due to my condition by the time I was six. No doctors were available there, so they had to go to America," Frank explained, his voice steady but tinged with an undercurrent of vulnerability.