The haunting of father Frank. (Frank X Eddie)

6.

The next morning, Frank woke up first, the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains. As he stirred, he became aware of the faint warmth radiating from Eddie, who was still peacefully asleep beside him. Frank glanced down at his shoulder and chest, where a few hickeys remained as evidence of their intimate night. While they hadn't gone any further, the marks felt significant, a tender reminder of the connection they had shared.

Frank couldn't help but smile softly as he took in Eddie's sleeping face. There was something peaceful about the way Eddie looked, his features relaxed and serene. Frank felt a wave of affection wash over him, and he reached out gently, brushing a stray hair away from Eddie's forehead.

Closing his eyes again, Frank tried to drift back to sleep, but the warmth bubbling inside him wouldn't let him. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't escape the giddy sensation that filled his chest. It was overwhelming in the best way possible. For the first time in a long while, he felt special—cherished.

———

Frank exited the room, not bothering to change out of his pajamas since it was still early. The soft fabric felt comforting against his skin as he made his way to the kitchen, still riding the high of the previous night's intimate moments with Eddie. He opened the pantry and scooped up some coffee beans, the rich aroma filling the air as he prepared for his morning routine.

As he moved to the counter by the coffee pot, he went through the familiar motions of grinding the beans and brewing the coffee. The sound of the grinder filled the quiet kitchen, and Frank took a deep breath, savoring the anticipation of that first warm sip. After a few minutes of waiting, he leaned against the counter, allowing himself to reflect on the events of the night before.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching behind him. He turned to see Julie entering the kitchen, rubbing her eyes and looking a bit disheveled, her hair messy from sleep. "Good morning, Julie," Frank greeted, a smile creeping onto his face.

"Morning, Frank..." she yawned, opening the pantry and rummaging through for something to eat. Frank watched her for a moment, feeling a sense of camaraderie. "I just wanted to... apologize for whatever had woken you last night," he said, pouring coffee into a mug, trying to shake off the lingering confusion.

"I didn't wake up last night?" Julie replied, her brow furrowing as she poured cereal into a bowl. The words caught Frank off guard, and he froze, his heart suddenly racing.

His eyes slowly lifted from the mug, meeting hers with a growing sense of unease. "What happened last night?" Julie asked, now fully focused on him. The question hung heavy in the air, and Frank felt a knot form in his stomach. He recalled seeing her last night, the brief conversation they had before she left so quickly...

Eddie was snoring softly, completely at peace. He had always been a heavy sleeper, and Frank had certainly come to know this by now. But suddenly, Eddie jolted awake, startled by the sound of something crashing—like the shattering of a plate. His eyes shot open as he looked around the room, trying to locate the source of the noise. Nothing seemed out of place, though, until he noticed Frank sitting quietly at the edge of the bed, his back turned.

Eddie smiled groggily. "Well, good mornin'," he said, his Southern drawl as smooth as velvet. Frank didn't turn around, still facing away as he replied, "Good morning."

Eddie, sitting up and yawning, scratched his chest absentmindedly. "You know, you could've just woken me up instead of waitin' for me too, Or did you just wake up?" His voice was soft, carrying the remnants of sleep.

"I just woke up," Frank said, his tone neutral but calm.

Eddie's gaze lingered on him for a moment. Something about Frank's demeanor seemed off. "You okay?" Eddie asked, concern creeping into his voice.