Work Text:
Eddie has felt so mixed up and disorganized today. He delivered the mail as usual only to get to the last letter and realize he’d returned all the letters to their senders instead of bringing them to their recipients. He rushes to recollect them in order to deliver them properly, thankful that at the very least no one would have a letter whose contents were not for their eyes. Though everyone who’d looked at their letter realized the mistake and had promptly returned the letter to him when he came knocking.
Once he’s gathered up all the letters, having counted them twice, he still feels as though something is missing. Perhaps it’s cause he hadn’t delivered any letters to or from Frank? While it’s rare for a neighbor to receive no mail at all, it does occasionally happen. This doesn’t feel quite right to Eddie, but with a glance at his watch he realizes he doesn’t have the time to ponder this. As efficiently as he can, very mindful of the names and address, he redelivers all the mail. His neighbors all give various words of encouragement or teasing, always happy to see him-thrice a day being a nice bonus.
He exhales a weary huff after finishing the task, but is stuck with the nagging thought that he’s forgetting something. Eddie makes his way to Frank’s house, hoping he may have an answer. His knock aptly answered with a face of dubious apprehension. Before he could even greet Frank he’s presented a letter. He looks it over shocked; he had indeed forgotten a letter!
“When did I…?” Eddie puzzles remorsefully.
“I stopped by the post office this morning to drop off your hat-since you left it here-and you traded it for my letter to you.” Frank folds his arms in sarcastic disdain. Eddie looks up to see an emerging blush as Frank seems embarrassed by the whole matter. “You took off so fast, I didn’t have the chance to correct you, and I couldn’t chase after you because I had already promised to meet Julie for a gameshow with gladiolus.” Frank explains with an exaggerated pout.
“Sorry! I was looking everywhere for it and was running late because of it. I can’t even remember you showing up; it’s all a blur now. I must have run off once I had all my things. Did I at least thank you properly for bringing it to me?” Eddie feels guilty thinking he must have acted very poorly to Frank who’d done him a kindness.
“Something like that, but I’m not bothered since I knew you’d be quite busy with your work.” Frank’s head twists as he glances away, self-conscious as he murmurs, “Though I was hoping you’d open the short little thing this morning.”
Eddie blinks, and with no further prompting needed, opens the letter. A short letter indeed, a postcard really, as it only has one question: ‘Would you like to have dinner together?’ Eddie’s head shot up, but Frank’s head is twisted one hundred and eighty degrees, completely turned away from him. Subconsciously stroking his arm to self soothe, Frank’s a vibrant red unable to hide his blush, and Eddie’s cheeks heat up as well.
“I’d love to!” Frank’s head whirls around as Eddie frantically stumbles, “I mean-! I'd like that very much!...If you'd still be willing to have me that is.” Eddie rubs his burning cheek nervously.
“Well, I made enough for two, just in case you still did stop by.” Eddie smiles brightly as Frank welcomes him in, a grin finally breaking on his face. Eddie carefully tucks the letter into his bag, for safekeeping.
