Sue supposed laughing at Gabriel taking a fistful of Frank’s hair could only be returned by his next comment.  It made a red color bloom over her cheeks instantly.  Even the suggestion of such a thing – well, Akiva was not exactly the most…well – she wasn’t the type of girl Frank had been dating, if that was any indication.  Not that she judged anyone, or supposed that Laney had been that sort of girl – even she felt offended at her own thoughts. 

That was terrible.  She didn’t mean it that way.  She was just more… liberated than Akiva was.  That didn’t make it sound any better in her head.  She shook her head and pushed the thought about. 

Thankfully, Frank was not a legilimens.  She assumed by the realtor’s reactions to the things they were saying, she wasn’t either.  “I wouldn’t have to if you didn’t spend everything we have on your prescriptions.  You don’t even need that potion anymore, the healers said so.”  Now he was a potion addict.  Superb.  That was much better. 

When the woman motioned Akiva forward through the floo, Akiva could see a sheen of sweat over her palms.  Clammy.  She was really losing it.  It took Akiva a lot not to just expose the whole ruse.  But that would ruin it and the woman hadn’t sold Frank a home yet, and she didn’t want to ruin that.  She’d probably raise the price by 10% or something of the sort just for the duress they put her under. 

Whatever the case, stepping through the floo, Akiva was greeted with another home – this time in the bedroom first.  The explanation seemed too good to be true, it was huge for Frank.  What did he intend to do with all that extra space?  Nodding, she walked up to him, Gabriel’s pudgy arms outstretched toward her, and Akiva took the baby boy.  “We’ll have a pop around and let you know,” she informed both of them and walked out of the bedroom to check out the rest of the home. 

It would be a great place to live, though she wondered if Frank would have the time and energy to take care of such a big place.  It’d probably need quite a bit of upkeep.  But, it was open and there were plenty of windows in the bedrooms.  She imagined he might make one a study, another a guest room for family, perhaps?  She didn’t really know his full plans, but she imagined if he was seriously considering this one he had to have something going on in his head. 

She jaunted down the stairs with burbling Gabriel in her arms and liked that even more.  “Tell me,” she called up the stairs, “would this bedroom downstairs be yours, or mine?” she grinned before wrinkling her nose at Gabriel and gently bumped foreheads with him as he smiled and cooed.  At least he appreciated mummy’s joke. 

The smirk that slipped over his features was unexpected and he couldn’t easily hide it away. Was he supposed to look ashamed over the newest batch of confessions? Frank was losing track of their little story (that had gotten a lot bigger than expected). His hand covered his mouth as he fought to hold back the giggles that threatened to spill out. That wouldn’t be a very manly thing, if it happened.

Finally he was able to choke out a response. “It helps... helps me... focus.” He shook his head and turned his back from them, taking in a deep breath and holding it to try and will the laughter away.

Once they were at the next showing, and Akiva had wandered off with Gabriel, Frank took the opportunity to lean against the wall and stare out the window across the small yard. He had switched Akiva for Marko, and he kept the puppy close; luckily the Dalmatian seemed to have worn himself out a bit over the afternoon. Frank kept the leash loose as he watched a car drive past. That was one downside, he supposed...

Akiva’s voice brought him back to where they were. He merely smirked and shrugged, eyes staying on the road outside. “I suppose that depends on the time of month. I know how much you like to be close to the kitchen, love.” His voice was raised so it would carry down to her. Frank glanced to the realtor and winked. “She loves cooking, even if she’s not that great at it. She’s even burnt the tea before.” He kept his tone softer this time, so as not to carry down to his best mate.

She didn’t need to know what he was further explaining. “She gets it in her head sometimes to try something new; once, we had to owl St. Mungo’s poisoning department! It was quite a learning experience... I’ll never look at eggplant the same again.”

Akiva moved on after hearing Frank call back to her, laughing to herself as she did.  She looked at Gabriel and wrinkled her nose, “Never be like us,” she informed him, to which the baby burbled and moved to grab her nose, which she quickly pulled back to avoid. 

He had a strong little grip, and a set of fingernails digging into her face wasn’t the most pleasant sensation.  She had other things to look at anyway.  The downstairs was fairly spacious, and she really loved the kitchen as soon as she entered it.  It was really the most important room in a house, since it was where most of the things that kept a person alive came from. 

Frank wasn’t exactly the cook of the year, but he could survive on his own so the kitchen would function.  She took a turn through the living room space, imagining Frank’s furniture moved in – perhaps he’d need an update on some of it, she thought of the couch and wrinkled her nose – it seemed more bachelor flat than bachelor home, but the distinction, she supposed, was probably miniscule. 

Popping her head in the downstairs loo, she was pleasantly surprised, light and very clean (well that part wasn’t surprising they were trying to sell the home).  So far, this was probably her favorite of his choices.  So, she moved to climb the stairs again and came up just as she heard the tail end of whatever he was saying.  Something about eggplant? 

Pursing her lips, Akiva shrugged and reentered the room.  “The downstairs is fantastic,” she looked between the realtor and Frank.  “Some replacement furniture is in order to best match the place, but If you’re sold – I am.”