"I don't know what to do," Frankie says, turning to me. "I tried everything, but she still won't notice me."

"Maybe you're approaching it from the wrong angle," I reply with a sigh. Every time he tries to impress a girl, it's always me that has to pick up the pieces. Hank doesn't listen to him, even though he's more experienced than me in this area. He's too busy getting 'tutoring' from McKelty, or at least that's their excuse for spending so much time together, cuddled up on the sofa on the den, although to be fair, they do actually revise. McKelty found a way of teaching that's easy on Hank's dyslexia, so really, them spending so much time together is a good thing, even if it's means that I have to be Frankie's shoulder to cry on.

"So, what do you suggest that I do?" He glances at me, obviously thinking the same thing as I am - I've got less experience in relationships than a grain of sand in the Sahara desert, so who am I to be giving out advice?

I look at him, hoping that what I want to say isn't showing on my face. "I guess you're going to have to give up," I sigh, "Anyway, don't dwell on it. You're way too good for nearly all of the girls in this school."

"Nearly all?" He says, raising his eyebrows at me quizzically.

"All! I meant all!" I reply, internally cursing myself, but at the same time thinking about what McKelty always tells me to advise Frankie to do: drop subtle hints. Although maybe that hint was as subtle as a car crash on the M27.

"Okay..." He gazes at me, unsure of what to think about this. "I mean, there is this one girl I've had my eye on for a while."

"Oh yeah?" I fake a cheery smile as my heart sinks. I have to pretend to be happy for him.

"Yeah, actually. She's in our year, you might know her? She's unbelievably clever, never outspoken, and is actually undeniably pretty."

"Really?" I can't help myself as the jealousy sets in. "Well, actually, there's a guy in our year who I like the look of. He's awkwardly cool, with emphasis on the awkward, likes to think he knows everything when it comes to relationships, but he underestimates his intelligence in the classroom."

"Do you know who I'm talking about, Ash?" Frankie gazes at me again, seriousness in every millimetre of his face.

"No idea, Frankie." I snap.

He hesitates, taking a breath before talking again.

"It's you, Ash."

I'm lost for words. My head's spinning, and it takes a few seconds for what Frankie just said to sink in. But when it does, I quickly regain my composure. I have another bombshell to drop, and it's a big one.

"Frankie..." I murmur, "I was talking about you too."

The kiss that follows is soft, but well-meaning, with years of friendship, love, and raw emotion behind it. When we part, I spot Hank and McKelty in the corner, gazing happily at us.

"So, how long has it taken for them to figure this out?" McKelty asks Hank, pondering on the same question we all are, really.

"Ages, Nick, absolutely ages," he replies. "I didn't think they'd ever realise - I thought they'd bicker all the way to the nursing home."

Frankie doesn't say anything, but instead takes my hand and kisses me again, saying all of the things that words can't express. We both know that we'll always bicker - after all, who doesn't? But we've both found our perfect daydream, and that's all that matters. And do you know the best thing? Frankie won't need a shoulder to cry on anymore, and do you know why? Because I'll always be there for him. Always.


A/N: Hey! So this fic is unchartered territory for me, and therefore I have no clue of any ship names. Suggestions appreciated! Gx