ask-frank-and-joe-hardy-archive:

Contrary to popular belief, Frank wasn’t as oblivious about other people as some would think. Sure he himself was awkward when it came to relationships and flirting, but that didn’t mean he was completely blind about noticing other peoples’ relationships.

Saturday morning he was washing the dishes from the breakfast Aunt Trudy had made earlier. The dishes were his chores this week as well as vacuuming the house so he figured he’d better get a head start.

Joe came into the kitchen, pulling on his jacket. “I’m heading out,” he said. “Might get home late.”

“Sure thing,” Frank replied. “Have fun with Ned.”

There was a pause and Frank had to resist the urge to laugh at the expression that he was imaging on his brother’s face.

“Who said I was going out to meet with Ned?” Joe asked after a minute of somewhat awkward silence.

Frank looked at his brother and raised an eyebrow. “Are you serious?” he asked back. “Dude, I’ve known about you and Ned for about a month now. You don’t have to sneak around.”

Joe’s face turned bright red and he shoved his hands into his pockets. “I wasn’t sneaking around,” he grumbled.

“Uh-huh. Sure you weren’t.”

“Dude…”

With a small sigh, Frank put the dish he was washing back into the sink and turned to face Joe completely. “It’s okay,” he said. “I don’t care who you date Joe. Just as long as Ned is treating you alright. You’re still my little brother, after all.”

Joe rolled his eyes. “Don’t be such a worry wart. We’re taking it slow.”

“Alright. Go have fun, but be responsible.”

Joe sighed dramatically and flounced out of the house, turning his back so that Frank couldn’t see him smile with some relief. Of course Frank was going to be a bit extra overprotective but what else was he expecting?