frank and robby fist fighting
Another long shift in the books..just another few more and he would survive a whole week back in the wild sober. He made his rounds and paid his dues, apologizing to everyone for letting them down and his poor decisions. Everyone was gentle about it for the most part, Mel was even excited. which he found adorable. The only person that he really wanted to apologize to kept dodging him, which was frustrating; was Robby. If he was honest, it was the only apology that was the most important to deliver; he let his mentor down and he was genuinely sorry.
Shifting his bag on his shoulder he walked out into the parking lot, ground damp from the rain earlier in the evening. Heading to his car he caught sight of the man by his bike, preparing to leave. It was now or never, so he swallowed and picked up his pace as he called out “Robby!” firmly. He could see the man tense as he closed the distance, turning to face with a sour look on his face. “I need to talk to you.”
“Not right now..” He mumbled, sticking the key into the ignition of the bike, but he was blocked by a hand, Langdon’s to be specific. His eyes looked up to meet his sharply, lips curled in a scowl as he sighed. “You have two minutes to tell me what the fuck you want.”
He was honestly over his behavior. He already felt guilty and bad enough, and returning to work made the anxiety that he now had to deal with skyrocket and honestly it was quite childish; he expected better out of him. Frank took a deep breath, before blowing out and meeting him with a serious face. “I WANTED to apologize for everything. I did let you down, I did let myself down, I abused work resources and I’m sorry okay? There is no excuse, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t want to apologize.”
“Well that was a waste of your breath, honestly.” He sighed, rubbing his face. He could feel himself getting heated, causing him to make a small fist in his pocket to flex and crack his knuckles, an old habit of his whenever he was uncomfortable. “I’m glad you got the help you need, but it still doesn’t change anything Frank.”
“God Robby I’m not asking for anything to fucking change man, I want to just apologize and say I’m going to do better. You act like because I had moments of weakness like I’m some fucking villain, I don’t expect you to just act like everything is back to normal again.” He was heated at this point, the vein at his temple a bit more prominent with the frustration.
“I’m done with this conversation.”
“Robby you can’t just keep-“
“I said I’m fucking done, move Frank.” His hand was gripping the handle of his bike so hard his knuckles turned white. The Frank went to open his mouth again but the older man wasn’t able to control himself anymore, and with a swift movement Frank was stumbling back from the blow, back up against the brick. A thumb wiping blood from his lip before yet another, at this point he could tell everything pent up was releasing. Frank shoved him back to try and deter anymore use of his fists before he met the mans gaze… was he tearing up slightly?
“You failed me, most importantly I failed you but you should have known better. I can’t fucking believe I was so stupid and blind-“
With luck Frank is able to grip him by his arms, shoving him against his own car as he looked him dead in the eyes. “Shut the fuck up dude. You didn’t fail me, I failed me. You don’t have to blame yourself. I fucked up Robby, not you, not anyone else; me. Stop blaming yourself, I am taking accountability and I know I have to earn yours and others trust back. And that’s something I’m willing to do and be patient with. I deserved every hit you landed, and I’m sorry.”
Robby couldn’t say anything, instead just staring up at the man as he spoke. His head was clouded with the unearthed emotions, and we all know he was never a man to healthily process his feelings. Slowly his tension lessened, and Franks grip did as well, as a heavy sigh left his body as he rubbed his temple. He had a lot to reflect on, especially his own impulsive reactions.
“Drive safe,” Was all Frank said as he rounded around to his car, getting into the passenger seat as Robby rode off into the night. He looked at himself in his rearview mirror and sighed, definitely not the night he expected.
