Frank chuckled at his phone, finally kicking his boots off before throwing himself down in his arm chair.

> Yeah, Steven, you are. I care about you

> Busy people don't have a lot of time for a lot of things, but the good kinda busy people *make* time for important things

He doesn't question Steven's logic. He's got an odd way of thinking about things, but it always comes from the heart.

> You're important, if you didn't get the drift

Has been away on a job, but when he has finally returned he finds what seems like an offering shrine.

There's some cookies and also a flower, and there's only one British sweetheart he can picture leaving such things behind for him.

[Text to: The Boys]
> Forget you have my number, Steven?

//be safe on your trip and have fun at your event! (if it is an event that is fun to go to? 😅)

//so same time! My alarm for weekdays is 515 because work for my partner is at 6 and for me 630 (but we drive together because we work at the same place 😂)

> mm, no, sounds like you might hurt you
> and stop texting me while you're out in your vigilante pjs, sounds like a recipe for getting your ass shot

> sorry, busy breaking into a dumbass blind guys apartment to fix his fucking heat, I'll get back to you after you're done getting shot at

> you ain't got heat? blankets? I mean damn, Altar Boy, burn some candles if you gotta

> push yourself too hard and you'll be pushing daisies instead of excuses

> I'm hoping you'll go to fucking bed

> appreciate it Red
> you going out tonight, or getting sleep for once?

> you got me there Red, guess I do

> or, you know, I'm just an old fool who thinks of you as some sort of trusted friend, and wanted to share with you a stupid story

> but I guess that's a type of love too, in it's own right

> let me fix that typo for you real quick— what I think you meant was 'you still out there actually solving problems by getting shit done?'

> and why yes, yes I am.
> just not. . . at this exact moment

> right, as well as or better than you listen to my advice?

> how's it going anyway? you still running around in your horny pajamas at night or did you hang that up?

joy these days stemmed from the other man.

"Well, we better be off. I've got a very special fish to meet."

your time, ladies, and may the Holy Spirit bless you this very fine day," he added, finding some joy in this little show.

How a day he'd been dreading had turned into something so light-hearted and fun was beyond him, but he knew at the heart of it, it was all thanks to Steven.

Seemed lots of his

"Bringing other people to the pet shop with you, Steven?" Frank clutched the bag of fish food and ceramic pyramid like a certain type of woman might clutch her pearls.
"Well I never."

He grinned a sort of devilishly teasing grin, winking at Steven to really show he was only joking.

"Thank you for

> No, obviously not really In your dreams Red

> I mean, an old lady did call me a priest, that part is true

> Slip of the tongue ended up as Fr Pete
> so when can I expect you to come join me in church, Altar Boy?