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Most of the time, Frank doesn't even realize he is panicking until his sister comes over and wraps herself around him. One minute he's sitting on the couch, staring into space and fully frozen in his shutdown. The next Mel is sitting astride his lap without a word and hugging him tight to her chest.
As the weight of his sister on his lap and around his body grounds him, Frank breaks out of his freeze and wraps his arms around her, deeply inhaling her familiar scent.
They don't talk, but their hands move across each other instinctively, each of them rubbing their palms down each other's sides and backs in slow, soothing motions.
As they touch each other, Mel adopts a slow and steady breathing pattern, wordlessly inviting her brother to breathe with her. Expanding outwards, holding, then slowly releasing, and repeating. Over and over, until their breaths are fully synced and their bodies move together as one.
On the 10th or so exhale, Frank's hands slide up his sister's back as he nuzzles into her shoulder. He presses a kiss to her clavicle. "Thanks, Mellie bean."
His sister nods against his temple. "Of course." Her fingers begin to massage at his scalp in tender, familiar strokes. "Do you need anything?"
Frank hums thoughtfully as he moves his head against her hands, tilting this way and that. Then he cups her cheeks as he pulls back to look at her, smiling softly.
"Just you." He nudges his nose against hers.
Her eyes crinkle as she nudges back. "You've got me."
Frank adopts a skeptical expression and looks down at where she's sitting atop him. "Mmm, I'm pretty sure you've got me."
Mel looks confused, then she follows his gaze down to their laps.
"Oh! Right, sorr-"
Frank grabs her hips as she tries to move off of him. "Hmm. That's weird," he says with false confusion, "Looks like you're stuck."
Frank ducks his chin, trying to catch his sister's eyes and clue her in on the joke. His heart tightens when she beams conspiratorially back up at him.
"Hm. Looks like I am." She half shrugs as she settles back down on his lap, slinging her arms around his neck. "I guess that means you're trapped, then."
Frank's smile tries to slip through as he nods solemnly. "I guess I am."
Mel's smile fades back to concern as she brushes a few fallen strands back into his hair.
"You sure don't need anything?" she asks, "Water? Or maybe a snack?"
"Hmm." Frank thinks for moment as he slides his hands up the warmth of his sister's thighs. Then, he tries to keep his face neutral as an idea strikes.
"Well, that depends," he says casually, "Is the warden giving out kisses today?"
Mel's brow creases. "The… warden?"
Frank looks at her pointedly, eyes flicking drown their laps.
"Oh." Mel presses her lips together, fighting a losing battle with her smile. "Oh, um. Hmm," she tries to echo his thoughtful hum, "Y'know, I, uh. I don't think wardens are supposed to kiss prisoners, actually. Seems like some sort of ethical– or, well, at the very least legal-"
Frank squeezes her waist. "Not even their big brothers?" He raises his brows.
Mel's smile nearly wins. "Well, I suppose," she tries carefully, "I could make an exception. Though of course nepotism would be another-"
"For my good behavior?" Frank interrupts. He slides his hands up to her rib cage, pulling her closer. One hand continues upwards, trailing up her neck until it cradles her jaw.
Mel's eyes close as she hums shakily. "Uh, y-yep. Mhm." She nods, swallowing. "Good… behavior."
Frank shifts up, angling his sister's mouth down until his lips brush against hers. "The best. I promise."