Towers

3

He didn't answer it at first. Thinking that would go away eventually. The knocking droned on for about ten minutes annoying him enough into answering.

"Hi!" He was met with an unexpected smile.

"What do you want?" He didn't mean to sound as harsh as he did, but exhaustion was winning him over.

"I heard you were feeling down so I came to cheer you up."

"I-"

"Don't deny me Francis." He blinked trying to comprehend what the other had said. "Trust me, I know what it's like wanting to be cheered up."

"Really?"

"Can I come in first?"

"Uh...yes." He stepped aside letting the other in.

~

"So tell me, what's wrong?"

"Alfred please-"

"Tell me. I can't help if you don't tell me." Knowing Alfred wasn't going to stop pushing, Francis sighed.

"Fine, I'll tell you, but vaguely."

"I'll take what I can get."

"Alright." Francis looked down at his hands fiddling with his sleeve. "Towers are supposed to last a very long time gaining dents and cracks, towers will tilt if not repaired." Silence filled the room as soon as those words were finished. He found himself getting somewhat impatient.

"I get it." He looked up to Alfred. "I completely understand what you mean."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." Alfred's smile disappeared. "You've been hurt, time hasn't been kind to you, and the more you think about the past...the more you regret it. You've hit a breaking point where you just want to fall."

"How-"

"I've been through a lot Francis...I can tell you that you have to keep trying and be saying it with everything I've got." Alfred was close to tears while Francis was left frozen, not knowing what to do. "Please...try...." He looked down. "You say you need to be prepared then let me help." He thought for a moment. Thinking the possibilities, the problems, everything.

"Alright." Alfred looked back up surprised.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Great."