“This is uncomfortable.”
Noel squirmed, then got up from his lap. Alister chuckled softly. “Sorry.”
“Nah, it’s fine.” She sighed, and blew a raspberry. “They aren’t leaving yet.”
“No, they are not,” her brother agreed. “But did you hear? Sounds like those kids are like us.”
“Yeah? But you’re not gonna go over there, are you?”
“Uh….”
Frankie perked up a little, almost hopeful. "Really?" It sounds too good to be true-
“Really.” Lars nodded with a surprisingly kind smile. “Of course, the choice is completely up to you. If you're not interested, then I suggest that you get out of the Underground as soon as you can. Otherwise, we can get going and get you set up at my place.”
Frankie blinked a few times. "…Can I please come?"
He looked at Lars before looking at alister and Noel in the corner, before looking back at Lars.
"..how much room do you have?" He asked him, hoping that maybe he could help those two out.
Lars smiled and gave a nod at Frankie's question. “You can if you want to, kiddo.” he assured before turning to the red-headed boy. “Not including my room, I have three guest rooms and a pull-out couch, if we need it. Think that'll be enough?” he asked raising a brow but smirking.
Once the boy in the booth wasn’t looking at them, Alister looked back and decided to eavesdrop on the conversation again.
“I’m not going to go over there,” he whispered to his sister, “but maybe we could follow them?”
Noel answered with a shrug. “I don’t have any better ideas.”
He chuckled softly, "yeah I think so Lars Sir." He accidentally let the sir slip out as he was a bit used to addressing older people in that way with his family.
Frankie looked between the two, messing with her sleeves again as she chewed her lip.
“Alright, kid. Just don't call me “sir”. It makes me feel older than I am.” he chuckled before looking over at Frankie. “There's no pressure if you don't want to come. Just know that the offer’s open.” he assured her.
(boop)
"Oh- uh sorry s- I mean sorry Lars!" He spoke before chuckling awkwardly, he moved to hold tight to his stuff and stand up.
"I'm gonna go do something, over there." He then headed towards the siblings.
Frankie looked up at him. "No, I want to come. I just tend to fidget."
“It's alright, kid.” Lars nodded, smiling at the two. It was a little funny how nervous the both of them were. “Alright. We’ll wait for you to get back but don't take too long,” he told the boy, suspecting what he was going to do. “So, what's your name, missy?” he said, just making conversation with the girl.
"Frances, but I mainly go by Frankie." She said, leg bouncing under the table.
“Alright, Frankie. While we got a minute alone, mind if I ask you if there's anything… special I need to know about you?” he asked gently, caringly. “I mean, if I'm going to take you under my wing, I don't want to say or do anything that would be triggering for you. And don't worry. I plan to ask him this too.” he assured.
The siblings were now watching the group with interest, both actively eavesdropping on them. Once they saw the boy walking towards them, however, they quickly looked away. Alister tried to look as unnoticeable as possible. “Oh, no,” he muttered.
He continued his way over to them while looming around the area and then basically getting to be infront of them.
"Hey, so I know this is crazy, but are you guys in need of somewhere to stay?"
She shrugged a little bit, almost shrinking into herself. "Nothing that's come up." She admitted, picking at her nails.
Lars nodded. “Just making sure. If I’m going to be your mentor, I want you to know that you can tell me anything and that I will take care of you.” he assured her. “Make no mistake, I'm a strict teacher but I am not cruel.”
Well, there was no avoiding it now. Alister looked down at his lap and tried to relax his shoulders. “Funny you should ask. We do.” There was no way he was going to admit that they were eavesdropping and planning on following them. “We just… stopped here since we didn’t know where else to go.”
(boop)
(Fyi @imNOTdenki is going to be inactive for a while)
(ok. Thanks for letting us know)
(boop)