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Frank Hardy has a plan (ivegotaplan) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2017-03-27 22:38:00

Who: Tinkerbell and Frank Hardy
When: Valentine’s Day
Where: Tink’s Fix-It Shop
What: A visit
Rating/Warnings: Low/None
Status: Complete


Tink was still a little confused about Jack’s visit. The flowers, the candy… he was being so nice. She didn’t know if it meant anything more than… well, friends, right? They were friends? It was a little confusing to Tink, because she didn’t often get this kind of attention from guys. The kind that was more than just… Let’s hang out and play video games. Though, she liked that kind of attention, for sure.

After finishing up the last work ticket, Tink adjusted her sweater--the pink one, with the hearts on it. Because she’d lost a bet--and came out of the back room toward the front. It was getting a little late in the day and she was ready to close up the shop.

Frank had not been the one to draw the short straw, but it never hurt to curry favor with one’s co-workers. So, with the agreement that Scott would owe him one, the elder Hardy had taken the two large baskets of carnations and little bags of Hershey’s kisses and played delivery boy for the station’s various Valentines. He had been a bit surprised to find his own name written on a few of the chocolate bags. It was flattering, but unnecessary. Therefore, he had taken those bags, written new tags, and divvied them up amongst those that had not received either a flower or a bag.

None suspected that the flower sitting on the reporter’s desk was a gift yet to be given, and not one already received.

Unfortunately, all the deliveries had taken longer than expected and it was nearly closing time by the time Frank managed to head to the small fix-it shop. He let out a breath of relief as he found the door still open. Shifting his grip so that the rainbow rose and hot chocolate were hidden behind his back, he headed inside. “Knock knock?” He called cheerily. The sight of Belle in a bright pink heart sweater stopped him in his tracks. His smile twitched, threatening to burst into a laugh. She looked mighty uncomfortable in that particular shade. “Nice sweater.”

Tink hadn’t been expecting anyone else to come into the shop. It was so close to closing time, she’d been ready to head out. Still behind the register when the bell on the door chimed, she glanced up quickly, then went rather red at the appearance of Frank Hardy. The last person in the world she wanted to see her in the gaudy, pink sweater with the rainbow hearts.

“Gee, thanks.” She said, though she was grinning. Mostly an embarrassed grin. “I lost a bet.”

Frank bit the side of his cheek to make sure the laugh didn’t emerge. Her face was nearly the same color as the sweater. Obviously, she was not pleased with the outcome of the bet and as adorable as he found it, laughing would probably send the wrong message. “It’s… cute.” Regaining his stride, he continued his way to the register. “It must have been quite the bet.” The image of Tink in pink would definitely not be one he would forget anytime soon.

Looking at the state of the store and counter, it became obvious just how close to closing he had cut his visit. Hopefully the gift would take away a bit of that. “Sorry it’s so late.” With only a small flourish, he pulled the rose from behind his back, offering it to the woman before him. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Belle.”

“It was. One of my classmates at school… I really could have killed her when she told me what the bet was for.” Tink shrugged softly, though it was probably obvious by the smile on her face that she was pleased with his calling it cute. Even though pink really wasn’t her color. It was pretty much the only pink garment she owned now.

The flowers from Jack were still sitting on the counter, along with the candy he’d brought for her. Tink was behind it at the register, but leaned in across the counter a little when he came closer. She broke into a smile at the sight of the rose. “Thank you. Happy Valentine’s Day, Frank.” She accepted the flower, and drew it in to smell the petals.

Frank’s grin softened a bit as he watched her. A rainbow rose was not exactly a typical choice for a Valentine’s present, but it was unique, just like Belle. “I’m glad you-” As she leaned forward, his eyes were drawn to the bright flowers and candy sitting on the counter behind her. “You like it.” He finished, a bit lamely. Of course she would have other admirers. She was an amazing and beautiful person and Frank was not so egotistical as to think that he was the only person who had noticed. It was only logical that those other admirers would get her something on Valentine’s Day. Something a lot nicer than a simple flower and cup of hot cocoa.

He didn’t have to like it, though.

Suddenly, the entire visit seemed a lot more like a lame excuse than a sweet gesture. Ignoring the seething in the pit of his stomach, Frank’s other hand came out to present a cup of Starbucks’ molten hot chocolate. “It’s not a vanilla latte, but I figured chocolate would be a bit more appropriate.” He kept his smile on Belle, but his mind was trying to catch more details out of the corner of his eye. Is that a card? He wanted to know the name of Belle’s other admirer but knew it was not his place to ask. Whomever it was, the guy had completely outclassed the elder Hardy. His stomach twisted even more, even as he tried to push it out of his mind and focus on Belle instead. He definitely didn’t like it.

“I love it.” Tink said, giving him a smile. She already had plans to pin the rose upside down in her bedroom so it would dry out, and she could keep it forever. And then he was producing a cup of hot chocolate, and her face lit up even more. “This is such a nice surprise, thank you.” She set the rose down carefully to accept the cup, and lifted it to sip from it right away. “Well, they say Valentine’s Day is a day for chocolate lovers, so… I think this is perfect.”

“Yeah…?” Frank shook himself, firmly putting the other man’s gift from his mind. Belle was smiling at him - him - right now and that was all that mattered. Still, he was already making plans to find a way to outdo whomever had sent those flowers. He was good at plans. “Good. I was afraid I was going to miss you.” Frank’s smile was fully on Belle once again.

“You almost did.” Tink’s smile was firmly on her face. She gathered up the rose he’d given her, and the candy from Jack, and came around the counter. The flowers looked beautiful where they were, and she thought she’d leave them at the shop to brighten her work day. Her boss wouldn’t care at all.

“I was pretty much on my way out. I finished up all I had to work on today… I can’t imagine anyone else is going to walk-in looking for my services.” She joined Frank on the other side of the counter.

Frank noted that she left the other flowers where they were. Interesting. Maybe they weren’t hers? No, that was silly. It did make him feel a bit better that she was taking the rose he had given her. It likely meant nothing, but he’d take what he could get. “I’ll head out with you.” He grinned, playfully offering her his arm as she came around to his side of the counter.

A stray whiff of sweet chocolate reminded him that he hadn’t eaten since lunch, and only half a sandwich at that. “Have you eaten?” Usually he would stop and get a box or four of takeout on his way home, but having company would be infinitely better. “I remember how it goes when you’re in grad school. During finals I’d get a call at least once a day from Mom or Aunt Gertrude to remind me to take a break and eat. It worked most of the time.” He gave her a sheepish grin.

Tink grinned, looping her arm through his after he offered it. She’d absolutely walk out with him. Just about anything to get to spend a little more time together. She knew she had to get home and do some homework, to be ready for her class in the morning. Working and going to Grad School at the same time was pretty killer when it came to keeping her busy. She’d never had much of a social life outside of her brothers, but now she was finding that more people wanted her time. Frank and Jack to start.

“Uh… I had a microwave burrito when I started my shift.” That was almost six hours ago. She hadn’t eaten much before, and hadn’t eaten anything since. “Yeah, I try to force myself to eat between school and work, and work and home, just so I don’t forget to eat entirely. Why… are you hungry?”

It was nice to know that some things about grad school never changed. He made a note to bring more actual food type things whenever he visited her at work. Starbucks could only go so far, after all. “Starving.” Frank admitted, waiting for her to lock up the shop before heading toward the parking lot. “I was going to grab something quick before heading home. Would you like to come along? My treat.”

“Okay.” Tink gave him a bright smile. She was glad she had someone to spend Valentine’s Day with. Actually, two someones. Jack had spent quite a bit of time in the shop, too. It kept her mind off the idea of Singles Awareness Day anyway. “Where you headed? Please tell me it’s somewhere messy, so I can spill something on my new sweater and then throw it away forever.”

Frank couldn’t help but return the smile. Belle had a great smile. It was one of his favorite things about her, actually. Right behind the way she looked while she was concentrating at work, magnifying glasses and all. He had not decided on where to go when he asked, but the moment she mentioned messy, he knew just the place. “You’re in luck. I happen to know where to get the best hot dogs in town and they’re very, very messy.” He winked conspiratorially. “That sweater won’t stand a chance against their Monster Fries.”

Tink laughed. “That sounds perfect! Best way to end Valentine’s Day, and say goodbye to this … monstrosity.” She was only partially kidding. Tink wasn’t the biggest fan of the sweater. Though, it did kinda look good on her. She wasn’t all that aware of how her clothes looked so much as how they felt. And this one wasn’t bad. It was just pink. “I’m not keeping you from anything important, am I?”

They reached the lot and Tink glanced between cars. Two cars? Take his? Take hers? She was kinda glad she’d left the bike at home today.

Frank caught the look Belle was giving the vehicles and before his head could start second-guessing, he spoke up. “I’ll drive. It’s not that far and I can drop you off on the way back.” Plus, it would give him just that little bit more time with her before he had to make the long trek home. Sometimes he wondered if Joe had purposefully found an apartment as far away as he could from the county without needing a day to commute. Considering the events that prompted the move, Frank wouldn’t blame him if he had.

“Sounds like a plan!” Tink replied with a bright grin. Then, on a whim, she looped her arm through his and stepped in close against him so he could lead the way to his car.