There were only a few times in his life that he'd seen Billy panic. Not the startled, reactive sort of panic but the one where he shut down and became not himself. There was some doubt in Billy's eyes, something else that lived in there. More than that, this was a moment of panic.

"Hey," Frank said. What felt like a hundred years ago, he could see the memory of Billy's concerned face on the edge of his consciousness; Yeah, Frank, I'm here.

He put a hand on Billy's shoulder, trying to find that grounding spot between them. The concern for him outweighed the lingering hurt and anger. "You're fine, Bill. You're right here. Hey."