The One Place You'd Never Meet Him [frank/gerard][s/a]
Title: The One Place You'd Never Meet Him
Pairing/Character(s): Frank Iero/Gerard Way
Rating: PG-13
Summary: He doesn’t know Gerard exceptionally well. The most Frank has gathered about Gerard Way is that they’re in the same grade and they’re both in Music Theory together. Despite Gerard’s almost ‘dark’ vibe - black hair, doesn’t talk much, sketches all over his notebooks most of the time - Frank figures he must be a pretty okay guy because he sees their Music Theory teacher talking to him every now and then and Gerard always manages to smile during those conversations.
Warning: None
Beta: camatie
Word Count: 6,506
A/N: For the anon_lovefest prompt: Frank/Gerard, theater techies. This ended up really, really long so I figured, fuck anon. I really like the first half but not sure about the second half...Hope you like it anon, whoever you are, and sorry for the wait!
It’s all his mother’s fault. Why he ever tells her anything, Frank’s not sure.
“You don’t have to be an actor, but you should at least attempt lights or one of the crew positions! It’ll help you…meet more friends.” She emphasizes the word ‘friends’ so much Frank winces.
“What if I don’t care?” he asks in a quiet mumble, chancing a glance up at his mother. She’s giving him that look that means he has no choice and he throws back his head and tries not to groan. “Fine, okay, I’ll. Try out, or whatever. Not for cast. Maybe for technical shit,” - his mother glares at him - “since I’m good at that.”
She nods, pleased.
-
Frank readjusts his book bag on his shoulder and looks around at the tables. He’s never been in the school’s Lecture Room because it’s only used for one class and drama practices. It dips down with a wide row of stairs and shiny wooden desks lining each step in threes. There’s about thirty or forty people already in the room, separated into their cliques - friends talking and chattering as they wait for the teacher.
Frank gives the room one last sweep and his eyes only fall on one familiar face. Well, the back of a face. Of a familiar…head.
Frank shakes his head at himself and steps down the stairs, ignoring the couple of glances he gets. He slides into place next to the ‘familiar head’.
He doesn’t know Gerard exceptionally well. The most Frank has gathered about Gerard Way is that they’re in the same grade and they’re both in Music Theory together. Despite Gerard’s almost ‘dark’ vibe - black hair, doesn’t talk much, sketches all over his notebooks most of the time - Frank figures he must be a pretty okay guy because he sees their Music Theory teacher talking to him every now and then and Gerard always manages to smile during those conversations.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
Gerard doesn’t give Frank much to work with.
“I didn’t know you were…” Frank trails off, trying not to sound insulting. “Like, this kind of stuff. Don’t you sing?”
Gerard goes a little stiff and Frank feels like an idiot. He racks his brain for a solid memory that tells him if Gerard really does sing or not.
“Not really,” Gerard says, shrugging. He rolls his shoulders and finally looks at Frank. “I really like working on theatrics, though. Like. Lights and sound. Making that stuff work out.”
Frank smiles a bit and Gerard seems to smile back, though he might be imagining it. “Me too,” he says, though it isn’t completely true. It isn’t really true at all.
It’s at that moment that the room gets a little quieter - Frank hadn’t noticed how many people had come in since he had sat down, and he’s surprised. Mr. Fields is now at the front of the room, on the bottom stage and waves and shouts. He has always had a way of getting the attention of kids and Frank smiles as the sound reduces to only a couple of final, frantic whispers.
Frank really likes Mr. Fields. He was his sophomore English teacher and the only teacher (he swears, the only one) who didn’t judge him at least a bit for his piercings or the tattoos on his knuckles. Even if the tattoos are probably a pretty good reason to be judged…
“I’m only going to announce the essentials so I don’t bore those of you who are uninterested. If you want to try out for a position on the cast, fill out this form.” Mr. Fields pauses and lifts a stack of papers. “If you want to try out for a position on crew, fill out this form.” He lifts the same stack of papers and waves it a bit. “If you want to try out for a position on either or, fill out this form.” He lifts the stack above his head again. A couple of kids chuckle. Frank glances at Gerard but he doesn’t give an outward reaction.
“You can do House crew, Costumes crew, Make-up crew, and Tech crew. If you want to help build the set specifically or do publicity - handing out posters, help designing the set, making the art for the shirts and sweaters and the posters - then write that all down in a little note at the bottom. Anywhere. On your paper. Preferably on the front.”
There’s a murmur of agreement. “And if you have any further questions, approach me! We all know each other pretty well here, let’s just get through with this as swiftly as we can. Wait for the papers to be passed back to you! Ask nicely! Thank you.”
As Mr. Fields looks at a student who’s already approached him, the room bursts into chatter. Frank turns back to Gerard and hesitates as he contemplates his next move. “You could do the art.”
Gerard looks up, surprised - ironically, from a doodle on his notebook. “What?”
“For the shirts and posters. You could draw it.”
Gerard blanches. “That would require seeing practices and knowing the characters.” It’s the longest sentence he’s offered up and Frank laughs and shrugs.
“How bad can it be? I could join you.” It’s weird to offer - it feels personal and Frank frowns, pushing his tongue against the piercing in his lip. “Sorry, I don’t mean…I just think you’re really talented.” Gerard smiles, not looking at Frank anymore and picking up his notebook. They both look at the front cover.
“Thanks,” he mumbles, running his fingers through his hair. Frank decides to leave it at that as they both get the sheets to fill in.
They both circle the option for ‘Technical’ and Frank offers to take the papers up. Gerard smiles at him again and gives him the paper. As Frank walks down to hand them over to Mr. Fields, he looks at Gerard’s paper. At the bottom it says, in messy scrawl, ‘I’m sort of busy but if you need someone for artwork I’m up for it’.
Frank smiles and sets the papers down in the growing pile of finished ones.
“Oh, Frankie! I thought I’d seen you.”
“G’afternoon Mr. Fields,” Frank says with a grin. “How’re your sophomores?”
“I actually have freshman and sophomores this year, Mr. Iero,” he answers, smiling at a freshman who hands him her form. “How’s your year going?”
“Pretty good. Music theory is hard, but pretty bad a…” Frank pauses, frowning. “Pretty awesome,” he finishes and Mr. Fields laughs. “Well, I’ll see you later, Mr. Fields!” Mr. Fields waves and gives another smile. Frank looks back at the stairs - Gerard isn’t sitting there anymore. He looks at the doorway.
And there he is.
--
“It’s too fucking cold for September,” Frank mumbles darkly, rubbing his fingerless-gloved hands together as he and Gerard walk out to the school's parking lot.
Frank looks up when Gerard stops walking, stopping at the very end of the lot. “What’s wrong?” he asks, and his breath makes the air fog. He curses.
“I…I’ll see you later.”
Frank frowns. “Are you walking home?”
Gerard looks a little embarrassed. “I didn’t tell Mikey that I’d…that…well, he left after school. And. He has the car.”
“You need a ride?”
Gerard just nods.
-
The car ride is only slightly awkward, mostly because Frank really sucks at making small talk. He complains about the weather and Gerard nods along with him.
“What do you listen to?”
Gerard looks confused at first. “Uh…”
“Like. Music, you know? Bands.”
Gerard blinks. “A lot of stuff, I guess. A whole lot of stuff. Iron Maiden, the Misfits, stuff like that. David Bowie. Black Flag. I’m not really that picky about music.”
Frank nods and smiles. “You live uhh…”
“Fuck, you just passed the street.”
Frank begins to laugh and it takes a moment, but as he’s turning around in someone’s driveway, Gerard begins to laugh, too.
-
The technical crew ends up being Frank, Gerard, a kid Frank doesn’t know named Quinn and a fourth girl. “Who’s Alicia Simmons?” Frank asks, glancing over at Gerard. He eyes the look on Gerard’s face. “Do you know her?”
“Uh.” Gerard glances around the group of kids around the paper posting those who made it into cast and crew as if the make sure the girl in question isn’t around. “Yes. My brother has a huge crush on her. He talks about her. All the time.”
Frank laughs. “That’s funny.”
“Not funny,” Gerard disagrees, “Mikey’s gonna think I set this up, he’s a suspicious little bitch. Like I’m interested in his older girl crush.”
“She’s a senior?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, who are you interested in?” Frank follows Gerard back to the library, though he had been sitting in the cafeteria before he had checked the flyer.
Gerard looks confused again and kicks his toes against the tile as he opens the door to the library, letting Frank in first. “Nobody,” he says. “Not really. At the moment.”
Frank just shrugs.
-
“Will you come with me? To rehearsal, I mean.”
Being approached at the end of Music Theory makes Frank burst into a grin. “Mr. Fields assigned you to do the art?”
Gerard looks embarrassed, rocking his weight from leg to leg. “Yeah, he asked me about it after school. He said I wouldn’t have to be at that many rehearsals, just get used to who’s playing what character and how they interact and their relationships so I can make the art…realistic to the play.”
“Of course I’ll come.”
Gerard gives him a shy smile.
-
The first couple of rehearsals that Frank and Gerard go to together are in the Lecture Room where the try-outs had taken place. They’re awkward and out there, with some students still memorizing their lines. Frank has a huge amount of secret admiration for Mr. Fields, who puts up with it almost perfectly, never yelling, especially not at the three freshmen he cast. Frank knows he could never be a teacher.
During the third rehearsal in the Lecture Room, Gerard begins to sketch. They’re doodles, like on his notebooks, but as Frank watches (though he tries to be nonchalant) he can tell that they’re more thought out. The expressions are specific to the characters he’s trying to convey, and he incorporates the actors and actresses without making them exactly alike.
After the fourth rehearsal, Frank takes it upon himself to ask, “Who are you going to draw for the shirts?”
Gerard, as usual, seems confused. Once he understands, he blinks and smiles. “I think I’m going to draw just Mary and George and Clarence. Not sure how together I’m going to make it, we’ll see. But I have a couple ideas. It’s a cliché play, I really can’t believe I’m part of it, honestly…”
Frank has the sudden urge to ruffle Gerard’s hair and kiss him on the cheek.
Motherly instinct or some shit.
-
Frank hates to admit it, but he’s enjoying going to rehearsals. Some of the kids still seem a little squicked by his appearance but Frank ignores that, always sitting with Gerard. He sort of watches the play, but it’s mostly more entertaining to watch Gerard. The way his hand swipes over the cheap paper, his frown when he erases little details. Frank is often left biting his tongue in disappointment because he believes something truly amazing is gone. But he trusts Gerard.
-
The play takes place at the only building with a quality stage and quality lighting in the entire city. There’s an auditorium in the elementary school, and it’s where the few local plays take place. Mr. Fields sets up another meeting a week before the first rehearsal asking all those participating in the play to attend.
Frank approaches Gerard after Music Theory. “You’re going to the drama meeting after school, right?”
Gerard looks up, distracted. Frank barely catches a glance at the inside of the sketch book - Gerard’s hands are fast. “Oh. Yes, I’ll be there.”
“Meet me at my locker after school, would you? We can walk down together.”
Gerard gives Frank one of his slow smiles.
-
“Fuckin’ Chemistry, man. I’m shit at this stuff.”
Gerard shrugs. “I like math,” he admits. “Maybe because it’s logical. I’m pretty good with logic, usually.”
“Lucky. Creative and logistic. I’m sort of creative, I guess. But logic isn’t my thing.”
Gerard chuckles as they continue down the hall. There are only a couple of people left in the halls, getting drinks and snacks out of vending machines and scurrying in and out of the bathrooms, changing for sports. The Lecture Room is at the end of a long hallway, and Frank and Gerard can both see the crowd of people waiting for the janitor to finish cleaning so they can go in and sit down.
Frank and Gerard reach the room as soon as everyone begins filing in. In comparison to the original flood of people who had wanted to join, there are only about half as many. Frank and Gerard sit in the same place they always do, the far right in the third table up.
Mr. Fields gains the attention of everyone in the room in his usual way. “This is just a basic check-up, so don’t worry, you’ll be out of here in a couple of minutes. I’ll take role-call and then we’re going to go over some basics…”
Afterwards, Gerard admits he forgot to tell Mikey about the meeting again and Frank drives him home.
-
Gerard is sketching ferociously.
Frank wants to say something but he holds his breath, waiting for Gerard’s hand to pause or hesitate or just stop moving for a moment so he can speak. He ends up letting out a long huff of air, blinking from holding his breath too long.
Gerard looks up. “Hey, Frankie.”
Frank smiles at the newly adapted nickname and looks up at the stage. It’s intermission and most people are changing their costumes (for those who already have costumes) or chatting and checking their phones. The tech booth, up a flight of stairs at the back of the auditorium, is empty besides Alicia, who’s still tinkering with one of the sound effects. Gerard’s been sitting on the auditorium floor, sketching since the play started. When Frank tries to catch a glance, Gerard’s already sliding the sketchbook away.
“How’s it going? The drawing, I mean.”
Gerard grins, looking genuinely pleased. “Perfect. I’ll be done tomorrow.”
Frank nods, sitting down next to Gerard, crossing his legs. “It’s kind of fun up there. Quinn and Alicia are both pretty cool. Pretty weird, but it’s nice to know I’m not the only one.”
Gerard smiles from the corner of his mouth. “You’re definitely not,” he agrees, flipping his pencil around between his fingers. “There’s me, for one.”
“You’re not weird,” Frank finds himself saying, watching Gerard’s knee.
“That’s nice of you to say.”
He doesn’t know how to respond.
-
The entire auditorium is silent besides Frank and Gerard’s offbeat breathing.
“I could take you home,” Frank says, shattering the silence. Gerard doesn’t even look up, but Frank can hear him swallowing next to him in the tech booth. The auditorium is also completely dark, besides what little light is drifting through the large windows. Frank can still see the outline of Gerard’s face, and his heart beats a little faster when he thinks about how they shouldn’t be here.
“That would be cool,” Gerard agrees.
It’s almost nine o’clock.
Gerard shuffles from his cross legged position to his knees, cracking his fingers. Frank winces and also adjusts himself, stretching his legs out in the cramped space.
The moment seems slower. Gerard touches his shoulder first and then leans down. Frank feels the rush of air on his face and his body tells him to close his eyes. Gerard kisses the very corner of his mouth fleetingly and Frank finds himself twitching involuntarily to keep the tiny kiss from ending.
Gerard stands, sloppily, and clatters out of the room, leaving Frank alone on the floor, his heart pounding against his rib cage.
The drive back is, to say the least, awkward.
When they pull into the Way’s driveway and Frank puts the car in park, he finds himself reaching over to the passenger seat. His hand rests on Gerard’s knee and though it wasn’t his original intent it’s close enough. Gerard is tense.
“I’ll see you,” Gerard mumbles as he slips out of the car and out of Frank’s touch.
-
Gerard continues to avoid Frank. Or make sure that they’re not alone together.
Three rehearsals later and Frank is sick of Gerard always striking up a conversation with Quinn - the boy who just gives them both scared looks - and even Alicia, who just raises an eyebrow and looks at Frank as if he has the answer.
He doesn’t.
-
“Fuck!”
From a couple of paces down outside the building, Gerard jumps, glancing back at Frank. He then continues to walk, following Alicia to her car.
“I don’t think so, you prick. I’m taking you home tonight.”
Gerard and Alicia both turn, and Alicia is scowling. Gerard just looks surprised. He glances over his shoulder at Alicia and then back at Frank. “Come on,” Frank growls, growing more frustrated. Every nerve in his body feels frayed and on edge, and by the looks of it, Gerard’s at the same level.
“Just fuckin’ go with him. You knew it was going to happen sometime!” Alicia snaps, and she doesn’t wait, turning and opening her car door. She’s already pulled out of her parking space and is driving out of the lot before Gerard can even get his words together.
Even in the dark, Frank can tell that Gerard is flushed. His stomach sinks.
“You told her?” he half-yells, incredulous. The parking lot is almost empty, the last of the straggles finally being picked up or heading to their cars. No one really looks at Frank or Gerard, standing in the space between the building and the parking lot. “Why the hell would you tell her?”
Gerard takes a couple of steps forwards, looking nervous. “She and Mikey are dating now, so, uhm. We kind of talk a lot easier now. And Mikey’s not annoyed with me anymore.” Gerard does his nervous habit, running his hands impatiently through his hair. “And it’s not scary to talk to her.”
“Does Mikey know?”
“He…might. I’m not sure. I think he’s sort of suspicious. I dunno.”
Frank lets out an exasperated sigh. “Come on, we’re going home. Or something. Can you call your folks? You’re sleeping over.”
Gerard sputters for a moment, blinking constantly. “I - I don’t think that’s - we have school tomorrow and-”
Frank rolls his eyes. “No, actually, we don’t. It’s a teachers’ day. Anyway, even if we did it wouldn’t matter. I’d just take you to school. But we don’t have school, so.”
Gerard sighs and Frank grins, knowing he’s given up.
-
Gerard calls his family on the car ride. “Okay,” is all he says after he hangs up.
Frank doesn’t push it, just nodding.
-
“Mom?”
Frank peers into the kitchen and then upstairs. “Mom? Dad? Are you guys sleeping?”
The bathroom door upstairs opens and Frank’s mother steps out in a bathrobe. “Frankie? What is it…?”
“C’mon.”
Gerard mumbles a pathetic protest as he’s pulled into the sight of Mrs. Iero. “Hello,” he mumbles, embarrassed.
“I should have called, but uh, Gerard’s sleeping over. Is that okay?”
“Oh, sure, that’s perfectly fine. It’s nice to meet you, Gerard! Frank has said nice things about you.”
Gerard chances a look at Frank, raising an eyebrow. He mouths, “Really?” and Frank shrugs.
“She exaggerates,” he mumbles, looking back up to smile at his mother. “Thanks, Mom. We’ll just crash in my room!”
Frank grabs Gerard wrists and half-drags him upstairs, his mother slipping back into the bedroom.
Gerard stutters to a halt and Frank closes the door behind him. “Sorry about the mess,” Frank says, but he doesn’t sound very sorry. “I wasn’t really expecting you. But anyway, yeah. We need to talk.”
“Wait.”
Frank waits.
Gerard steps into the middle of the room, looking around in awe. “This is…”
Frank continues to wait, crossing his arms, though not impatiently.
“I really, really like your room,” Gerard finally murmurs, sounding embarrassed. “Your walls are really cool.”
Frank blinks and looks at his walls - they’re red, painted when they had moved into the house because Frank had screamed since he hated the wallpaper - but most of the red is covered by posters. Bands, movies, television shows, and everything in between. Frank’s not sure what’s so great about his room - it’s messy and kind of stinks because his cat’s always roaming around doing God knows what. But if Gerard likes it, he won’t say anything.
“I just think it’s all really cool,” Gerard murmurs again, sounding less embarrassed. He sits down on Frank’s bed, still staring, and Frank coughs and scratches his head awkward before sitting besides him. “Okay.”
“Okay…?”
“Talk. You wanted to talk.”
Frank nods, though suddenly it’s hard for him to form the words. Subconsciously he begins to play with his lip ring. He doesn’t notice Gerard staring until he dips in for a second kiss.
This time, Frank’s even more surprised. He pulls back at first and feels Gerard’s breath and wants to push back forward, regretting the movement at all.
“Sorry,” Gerard whispers, wiping his mouth and looking at his lap. “I…”
“Please stop apologizing,” Frank says quietly, letting his fingers scrape over the edge of Gerard’s jaw. “Fuck, I…don’t know what to say.”
“Did I misjudge you?”
“Huh…?”
“Was I wrong? Are you straight but just really nice? Or do you pity me, or what? Sorry, I just, this is really irritating and freaking me out and I don’t what to do or say without sounding like an idiot…I mean, listen to me, I’m really afraid right now and I think this is pointless and I don’t know why you wanted me to come over or whatever because…”
Frank kisses Gerard on the corner of the mouth, similar to the way Gerard had done the first time. “I’m really glad I met you,” Frank whispers against Gerard’s stiff cheek. “You’re so talented and beautiful and such an artist and I don’t think you even know it yet.”
Gerard sniffs and Frank slowly puts his arm around his shoulders.
-
“Fuckin…what the fuck time is it?”
Frank rolls over and curses again as he rolls into Gerard’s chest. Gerard grunts and pushes himself up until his back hits the wall. Frank’s mother continues to knock and Frank rubs his eyes, ducking out of the sunlight shining through the window.
He finally looks at his clock - it’s only 9:14.
“Fuck.”
“Your father made you two pancakes, so hurry up and get dressed so you can eat breakfast!”
“Yeah, yeah, okay, we heard you!”
The knocks finally go away and Gerard and Frank look at each other. “Sorry about my mom,” Frank says with a short laugh. “She gets kind of - well, I don’t know. Uh, here. I’m not sure if they’re clean but they’re…” Frank tosses a pair of jeans at Gerard who manages to catch them, just barely. “And ah, here, here’s a clean t-shirt.” Frank tosses the t-shirt and Gerard catches it easier, looking up at Frank with wide eyes. “What?”
“Um.”
Still looking curiously at Gerard, Frank changes.
-
“What do you want to do?” Frank asks over pancakes soaked in syrup. Gerard has his with none. No butter, either. “We could go to the mall or the park or something, looks like it’s a pretty nice day.”
“I want to draw.”
Frank frowns, chewing carefully. “Okay. What do you want to draw?”
Gerard rolls his eyes. “I’m not a mentally challenged nine year old, Frank. But I want to draw you. I don’t know why - but last night I was thinking about it but I had nothing to draw with and I felt awkward asking you for a pencil and paper considering…”
Frank blinks and looks down at his plate.
Yeah, the making out probably made it hard for Gerard to find a good time to say anything. Frank’s mouth actually still hurts. He’s pretty sure his lips are bruised.
“Yeah, we can…well, what do you want to do? I probably have some paper and stuff from when I was in art in middle school, or we could go to…I dunno, Walgreens or something and get some stuff. And do you wanna draw me like, in my house or outside or at your house or what?”
Gerard bites his lip and sniffs, seemingly in thought. “Could you look for stuff while I consider? It’ll be easier than having to go out and buy stuff we might not need.”
“Yeah, sure,” Frank agrees easily, finishing his last bit of pancake and picking up both his and Gerard’s empty plates and setting them in the dishwasher. “I’ll be right back, I think I know where I have all my old stuff from middle school…”
Frank hurries up the stairs.
-
Frank ends up finding an old drawing pad - he rips out all of the stupid things he’d tried to draw and hands it to Gerard, along with a few kinds of pencils. “Not sure if you wanted an art pencil or a mechanical pencil or what, so I brought you a little of everything. I have one of those white erasers, too, the magic ones, you know? I always really liked those ones.”
Gerard smiles. “I like those, too. They don’t rip paper and they actually erase…thank you.”
The weather is shockingly nice for October, so the two decide to go to the park. Frank stashes away sandwiches, Pringles, and what Gerard thinks is cookie dough in his book bag and they head out, Frank again driving in his shit car.
Gerard opens the sketch book and begins to etch at the paper before they even get there. Frank feels self conscious and ends up with all his muscles tight from being anxious.
“Would you relax?” Gerard half-snaps as they pull into the parking lot of the local park. “It’s not like…it’s not like I’m going to make you ugly or anything. On purpose, I mean…not - not that you’re ugly…just that I don’t think I’m that good and I might…”
“Shut up,” Frank laughs as he turns off the car. “Okay, I get it. Sorry for being nervous. I’m not used to being so…analyzed. Especially not by someone…like you. Sorry.”
Gerard doesn’t answer, following Frank out of the car. They sit down at some benches in the sun, across from each other. They stare at each other for a moment, Frank again pushing against his lip ring without thinking. Gerard smiles a bit and leans forward, opening his sketch pad and slipping it so it’s propped on his lap, pressed against the wooden bench’s edge. Frank begins to feel nervous again.
But Gerard only looks up every once in a while - thought usually for at least a full minute or two - and after about forty five minutes, Frank is used to it. He gets the Pringles out of his bag and begins to eat, offering some to Gerard. He just shakes his head and continues drawing, using the eraser scarcely but frowning and licking his lips frequently.
“Done.”
An hour and a half later, Gerard lets out the deep and final breath. “It’s done.”
“Let me see.”
Gerard stares at the paper and then touches his hand slowly across the surface.
“Let me see.”
Gerard blinks and looks up at Frank, biting his lip.
“Let me see it, Gee. It’s me, how hideous could it be?”
Gerard smiles and, though hesitantly, hands Frank the sketch book.
Frank spends at least three minutes staring at himself. It’s an odd experience - he’s seeing things he’d never seen before, and things he thought no one else had noticed. Gerard has managed to capture Frank’s smile almost perfectly, down to the way his eyes squint and his mouth opens just a little extra on the right. The lip ring is perfectly placed and Frank has to admit that he’s almost astounded by the way Gerard has drawn his own hair - just by looking at it, it seems textured and real.
“You really are something, aren’t you, Gee? Fuck.”
“It’s - it’s not like, the best thing I’ve ever drawn…but I do like it, honestly. I think I got you pretty well.”
“You know me better than my own mother.”
Before Gerard can protest, Frank pushes himself across the table and kisses him again.
-
“What’s going to happen when the play’s over?”
Frank looks at Gerard, mouth open. They’re sitting in the light booth, waiting for their cues - Alicia and Quinn are taking care of sound downstairs.
“What d’you mean?” Frank whispers back - they have to be quiet because somehow, sound from the light booth carries through the whole auditorium. “Between us, or…?”
Gerard nods.
“Well, you can still come over. And if you ever need rides home, I can take you home. I don’t see why anything has to…has to change.”
Gerard shrugs. “I just don’t trust myself, I guess,” he murmurs softly. “And we don’t see each other often at school, besides Music Theory.”
“So?” Frank is incredulous, one of the things he’s very good at. “We’ll have to make time. I mean, it can’t be that hard. Plus, there’ll be drama in the spring if you still…if you still decide to do it. If you do it, I’ll do it.”
Gerard does that same smile, that secretive and careful smile that Frank has only seen three times. “Yeah, I’ll do it if you do it,” he agrees in a breathy whisper.
After rehearsal, they end up making out in the corner of the light booth.
-
Frank feels like he has a privilege when people start gushing over Gerard’s artwork for the play.
“It’s amazing! I never knew you were so talented - I’m definitely buying a shirt!” a girl from their grade gushes. Gerard just smiles at her, modest as always and thanking her for the compliment. Frank stands by his side and feels like a proud parent who convinced their kid to finally do something they really love. And it makes Frank even prouder because he can see that the things the other kids are saying are really making him happy. He had never truly had confidence in himself before.
Frank has the drawing of himself pinned up on the wall.
-
“So you’re my brother’s boyfriend.”
Frank nearly spits his milk back into his container. “I - excuse me?” he sputters, looking up from his group of friends. It’s then that he recognizes Mikey Way - Gerard’s younger brother - standing with Alicia who looks guilty. She mouths a “Sorry” and shrugs and Frank is still at a loss for words.
“He talks about you. It’s weird. Like you’re really…really cool or something.”
Frank still doesn’t know what to say. “I…I’m really glad he thinks so. I think he’s pretty awesome, too. He’s so talented and I want to know more about him, so, um…”
“Find out more about him. Ask him about singing. Ask him about art and music. Don’t you dare take him for granted.”
A couple of Frank’s friends still look confused and Frank straightens his back, staring right back at Mikey. “I will never take Gerard for granted. I can give you my word on that.” He stretches out his hand and at first Mikey looks suspicious, but then he reaches out and takes it. He has a slightly painful grip.
“…Don’t tell him I approached you, though,” Mikey mumbles and Frank just laughs.
-
“I don’t really know that much about you.”
Gerard is sketching again, but he’s not too concentrated so Frank doesn’t feel so bad throwing an arm around him and nibbling at his ear.
“I guess I don’t know much about you, either. Why do you have tattoos and piercings?”
“Because they express who I am. They remind me of myself. Why don’t you have either?”
“Phobia. Needles. Ugh.”
“Ouch.”
“Yeah, my point exactly.” Gerard rubs his hand along Frank’s lower arm, turning his head. They kiss lightly. “Thanks for having me over for dinner.”
“Thanks for coming over,” Frank mumbles, burying his face in his neck. “It’s nice to have someone that my parents not only like, but really like feeding. I think they think you’re like, a lost boy or some shit and don’t get fed at home. You get fed at home…right?”
Gerard laughs. “Yes, I get fed at home. But a lost boy, really? See, that just makes me think of Peter Pan.”
“You? Think of Peter Pan?” Frank laughs this time. “That’s odd.”
“I was Peter Pan in an elementary school play. It was an…experience. I sang a lot.”
“Yeah, I hear you’ve got quite a voice…you’ve yet to demonstrate it for me.”
Gerard shrugs. “I haven’t really sung much since then. I kind of gave up on it, I guess. No one’s made me sing so I haven’t had…a reason to sing, you know? It hasn’t mattered. So I just stopped.”
“Yeah, well. I want to hear your voice.”
“Maybe tomorrow,” Gerard agrees. It’s a Saturday night, almost eleven. “So, wait an hour. Maybe an hour and a half.”
Frank grins. “Fuck yeah.” He bites into the skin of Gerard’s throat.
-
When Gerard sings, his voice is strong and fluid. He doesn’t have a particularly amazing range, but Frank can imagine it developing. He can imagine the way Gerard could sing, will sing, and how amazing it’ll be when the time comes.
-
“So are we…dating?”
Frank snorts and bites into his cheeseburger. It’s two days until the play starts and they’re sitting on the stage with another twenty or so people eating before rehearsal starts.
“Your brother seems to think - oh, fuck.”
Gerard looks taken aback and then suspicious. “What did Mikey say to you…?”
“Um.”
Gerard glares. “Spit it out.”
“He told me not to tell but obviously I really don’t have a choice now…”
Gerard reaches over and punches Frank. Hard. In the shoulder. “Fuck! Okay, okay. He just said…he said to take good care of you, basically. You know, brotherly stuff. He called me your boyfriend. My friends were a bit wary at first but they don’t seem to mind, so…it all works out.”
“Do you…” Gerard seems to have lost a bit of his steam. “Do you want to be my boyfriend? Like - do you want us to be called ‘boyfriends’?” he asks quietly, picking a fry from Frank’s bag. “Me being your boyfriend. You being my boyfriend. The whole deal.”
Frank grins. “Yeah, I think we could do that. I think we could work that out.”
Gerard smiles, just barely. “Yeah?”
Frank seals the idea in front of their twenty classmates, pushing himself across the stage and pecking Gerard on the lips.
“There. Now there’s no denying.”
Though there’s little reaction from those around them.
-
“Are you nervous?” Frank whispers. Gerard shivers and shrugs Frank away. “Because I’m nervous.”
“Why are you nervous?” Gerard whispers back, though not in the same manner as Frank - he lacks the leaning in and ghosting his breath over Frank’s ear. “You have nothing to be nervous about.”
“I don’t know,” Frank says, voice still quiet, “I guess I’m nervous for everyone else. Or that we’ll miss a cue.”
“Pressure…”
“I could show you pressure…” Frank mumbles as he presses his nose and mouth against Gerard’s neck, leaning into his back. Gerard elbows him in the ribs and Frank curses under his breath, moving back. “Fine, fine, no fun before the show.”
Gerard doesn’t verbally respond, staring out of the light booth into the gathering crowd. Kids are taking seats in the back while parents and school staff take their seats up at front, where kids have reserved them. Gerard had told Frank not to put their parents together, but when Gerard was back helping Alicia with one of the sounds last minute, Frank had taped his mother right next to Mr. and Mrs. Way - and Mikey - but didn’t leave a seat for his father. His father had a meeting that night and couldn’t make the next show night either. It was only slightly disappointing for Frank, and he found it easier to just shrug and pretend to move on quickly.
“Ah, I see Mikey and your parents…” Frank points as the three enter the auditorium - it was easy for him to spot the Ways by Mrs. Way’s curly blonde hair - and Gerard follows his finger.
“Why are they sitting by your - fuck you, Frank, you reserved your mom’s seat next to my parents.”
“I did indeed, and now there’s nothing you can do about it.”
-
At intermission they sneak out of the light booth and into the now empty costume closet behind the stage and make out for the duration of fifteen minutes. Frank mostly forces Gerard into the idea because he really likes it when Gerard is panting.
-
The show goes smoothly, Gerard and Frank working the lights perfectly. The only issue with the tech crew is that Alicia screws up one of the sounds - the actors and Alicia both manage to pull off a cover quite nicely, though, and Gerard seems sort of proud of her. Frank follows Gerard after the show to their families.
When Mikey hugs Gerard, he glares at Frank over his shoulder. Frank takes a step back, raising his hands, and smiles. He doesn’t want to have a disagreement with Mikey.
“You two were wonderful,” Frank’s mother gushes, giving her son a hug. “I’m really proud of you, and I’m so glad you did this and made a new friend. It was so nice meeting the Ways, too.” Frank smiles at Gerard and Mikey’s parents, who seem a little confused but also slightly pleased. “Thank you so much for befriending my son.”
Gerard’s eyes widen and he flushes. “Well, that’s - that’s really kind of you, Mrs. Iero but…but Frankie more - he befriended me more than I - he helped me more than…” Gerard shoots a desperate glance at Frank, who’s smirking. “You’re welcome.”
-
Frank throws his arm over Gerard’s chest. “When do you think we should tell them? Or do you think Mikey will tattle before we have the chance? Oh God, what will Dad think? Mom will probably think it’s so cute or something. Eugh.”
Gerard laughs, sniffing and kissing Frank’s forehead. “Who really cares when we tell them? I mean, they’ll find out and when they do it’ll either be because we wanted to tell them or because they just…found out. I have faith in Mikey, though. I’ve kept plenty of secrets for him, I’m sure he’ll be willing to keep a couple pocketed for me.”
They fall asleep on Frank’s bed thinking about the future.
Pairing/Character(s): Frank Iero/Gerard Way
Rating: PG-13
Summary: He doesn’t know Gerard exceptionally well. The most Frank has gathered about Gerard Way is that they’re in the same grade and they’re both in Music Theory together. Despite Gerard’s almost ‘dark’ vibe - black hair, doesn’t talk much, sketches all over his notebooks most of the time - Frank figures he must be a pretty okay guy because he sees their Music Theory teacher talking to him every now and then and Gerard always manages to smile during those conversations.
Warning: None
Beta: camatie
Word Count: 6,506
A/N: For the anon_lovefest prompt: Frank/Gerard, theater techies. This ended up really, really long so I figured, fuck anon. I really like the first half but not sure about the second half...Hope you like it anon, whoever you are, and sorry for the wait!
It’s all his mother’s fault. Why he ever tells her anything, Frank’s not sure.
“You don’t have to be an actor, but you should at least attempt lights or one of the crew positions! It’ll help you…meet more friends.” She emphasizes the word ‘friends’ so much Frank winces.
“What if I don’t care?” he asks in a quiet mumble, chancing a glance up at his mother. She’s giving him that look that means he has no choice and he throws back his head and tries not to groan. “Fine, okay, I’ll. Try out, or whatever. Not for cast. Maybe for technical shit,” - his mother glares at him - “since I’m good at that.”
She nods, pleased.
-
Frank readjusts his book bag on his shoulder and looks around at the tables. He’s never been in the school’s Lecture Room because it’s only used for one class and drama practices. It dips down with a wide row of stairs and shiny wooden desks lining each step in threes. There’s about thirty or forty people already in the room, separated into their cliques - friends talking and chattering as they wait for the teacher.
Frank gives the room one last sweep and his eyes only fall on one familiar face. Well, the back of a face. Of a familiar…head.
Frank shakes his head at himself and steps down the stairs, ignoring the couple of glances he gets. He slides into place next to the ‘familiar head’.
He doesn’t know Gerard exceptionally well. The most Frank has gathered about Gerard Way is that they’re in the same grade and they’re both in Music Theory together. Despite Gerard’s almost ‘dark’ vibe - black hair, doesn’t talk much, sketches all over his notebooks most of the time - Frank figures he must be a pretty okay guy because he sees their Music Theory teacher talking to him every now and then and Gerard always manages to smile during those conversations.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
Gerard doesn’t give Frank much to work with.
“I didn’t know you were…” Frank trails off, trying not to sound insulting. “Like, this kind of stuff. Don’t you sing?”
Gerard goes a little stiff and Frank feels like an idiot. He racks his brain for a solid memory that tells him if Gerard really does sing or not.
“Not really,” Gerard says, shrugging. He rolls his shoulders and finally looks at Frank. “I really like working on theatrics, though. Like. Lights and sound. Making that stuff work out.”
Frank smiles a bit and Gerard seems to smile back, though he might be imagining it. “Me too,” he says, though it isn’t completely true. It isn’t really true at all.
It’s at that moment that the room gets a little quieter - Frank hadn’t noticed how many people had come in since he had sat down, and he’s surprised. Mr. Fields is now at the front of the room, on the bottom stage and waves and shouts. He has always had a way of getting the attention of kids and Frank smiles as the sound reduces to only a couple of final, frantic whispers.
Frank really likes Mr. Fields. He was his sophomore English teacher and the only teacher (he swears, the only one) who didn’t judge him at least a bit for his piercings or the tattoos on his knuckles. Even if the tattoos are probably a pretty good reason to be judged…
“I’m only going to announce the essentials so I don’t bore those of you who are uninterested. If you want to try out for a position on the cast, fill out this form.” Mr. Fields pauses and lifts a stack of papers. “If you want to try out for a position on crew, fill out this form.” He lifts the same stack of papers and waves it a bit. “If you want to try out for a position on either or, fill out this form.” He lifts the stack above his head again. A couple of kids chuckle. Frank glances at Gerard but he doesn’t give an outward reaction.
“You can do House crew, Costumes crew, Make-up crew, and Tech crew. If you want to help build the set specifically or do publicity - handing out posters, help designing the set, making the art for the shirts and sweaters and the posters - then write that all down in a little note at the bottom. Anywhere. On your paper. Preferably on the front.”
There’s a murmur of agreement. “And if you have any further questions, approach me! We all know each other pretty well here, let’s just get through with this as swiftly as we can. Wait for the papers to be passed back to you! Ask nicely! Thank you.”
As Mr. Fields looks at a student who’s already approached him, the room bursts into chatter. Frank turns back to Gerard and hesitates as he contemplates his next move. “You could do the art.”
Gerard looks up, surprised - ironically, from a doodle on his notebook. “What?”
“For the shirts and posters. You could draw it.”
Gerard blanches. “That would require seeing practices and knowing the characters.” It’s the longest sentence he’s offered up and Frank laughs and shrugs.
“How bad can it be? I could join you.” It’s weird to offer - it feels personal and Frank frowns, pushing his tongue against the piercing in his lip. “Sorry, I don’t mean…I just think you’re really talented.” Gerard smiles, not looking at Frank anymore and picking up his notebook. They both look at the front cover.
“Thanks,” he mumbles, running his fingers through his hair. Frank decides to leave it at that as they both get the sheets to fill in.
They both circle the option for ‘Technical’ and Frank offers to take the papers up. Gerard smiles at him again and gives him the paper. As Frank walks down to hand them over to Mr. Fields, he looks at Gerard’s paper. At the bottom it says, in messy scrawl, ‘I’m sort of busy but if you need someone for artwork I’m up for it’.
Frank smiles and sets the papers down in the growing pile of finished ones.
“Oh, Frankie! I thought I’d seen you.”
“G’afternoon Mr. Fields,” Frank says with a grin. “How’re your sophomores?”
“I actually have freshman and sophomores this year, Mr. Iero,” he answers, smiling at a freshman who hands him her form. “How’s your year going?”
“Pretty good. Music theory is hard, but pretty bad a…” Frank pauses, frowning. “Pretty awesome,” he finishes and Mr. Fields laughs. “Well, I’ll see you later, Mr. Fields!” Mr. Fields waves and gives another smile. Frank looks back at the stairs - Gerard isn’t sitting there anymore. He looks at the doorway.
And there he is.
--
“It’s too fucking cold for September,” Frank mumbles darkly, rubbing his fingerless-gloved hands together as he and Gerard walk out to the school's parking lot.
Frank looks up when Gerard stops walking, stopping at the very end of the lot. “What’s wrong?” he asks, and his breath makes the air fog. He curses.
“I…I’ll see you later.”
Frank frowns. “Are you walking home?”
Gerard looks a little embarrassed. “I didn’t tell Mikey that I’d…that…well, he left after school. And. He has the car.”
“You need a ride?”
Gerard just nods.
-
The car ride is only slightly awkward, mostly because Frank really sucks at making small talk. He complains about the weather and Gerard nods along with him.
“What do you listen to?”
Gerard looks confused at first. “Uh…”
“Like. Music, you know? Bands.”
Gerard blinks. “A lot of stuff, I guess. A whole lot of stuff. Iron Maiden, the Misfits, stuff like that. David Bowie. Black Flag. I’m not really that picky about music.”
Frank nods and smiles. “You live uhh…”
“Fuck, you just passed the street.”
Frank begins to laugh and it takes a moment, but as he’s turning around in someone’s driveway, Gerard begins to laugh, too.
-
The technical crew ends up being Frank, Gerard, a kid Frank doesn’t know named Quinn and a fourth girl. “Who’s Alicia Simmons?” Frank asks, glancing over at Gerard. He eyes the look on Gerard’s face. “Do you know her?”
“Uh.” Gerard glances around the group of kids around the paper posting those who made it into cast and crew as if the make sure the girl in question isn’t around. “Yes. My brother has a huge crush on her. He talks about her. All the time.”
Frank laughs. “That’s funny.”
“Not funny,” Gerard disagrees, “Mikey’s gonna think I set this up, he’s a suspicious little bitch. Like I’m interested in his older girl crush.”
“She’s a senior?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, who are you interested in?” Frank follows Gerard back to the library, though he had been sitting in the cafeteria before he had checked the flyer.
Gerard looks confused again and kicks his toes against the tile as he opens the door to the library, letting Frank in first. “Nobody,” he says. “Not really. At the moment.”
Frank just shrugs.
-
“Will you come with me? To rehearsal, I mean.”
Being approached at the end of Music Theory makes Frank burst into a grin. “Mr. Fields assigned you to do the art?”
Gerard looks embarrassed, rocking his weight from leg to leg. “Yeah, he asked me about it after school. He said I wouldn’t have to be at that many rehearsals, just get used to who’s playing what character and how they interact and their relationships so I can make the art…realistic to the play.”
“Of course I’ll come.”
Gerard gives him a shy smile.
-
The first couple of rehearsals that Frank and Gerard go to together are in the Lecture Room where the try-outs had taken place. They’re awkward and out there, with some students still memorizing their lines. Frank has a huge amount of secret admiration for Mr. Fields, who puts up with it almost perfectly, never yelling, especially not at the three freshmen he cast. Frank knows he could never be a teacher.
During the third rehearsal in the Lecture Room, Gerard begins to sketch. They’re doodles, like on his notebooks, but as Frank watches (though he tries to be nonchalant) he can tell that they’re more thought out. The expressions are specific to the characters he’s trying to convey, and he incorporates the actors and actresses without making them exactly alike.
After the fourth rehearsal, Frank takes it upon himself to ask, “Who are you going to draw for the shirts?”
Gerard, as usual, seems confused. Once he understands, he blinks and smiles. “I think I’m going to draw just Mary and George and Clarence. Not sure how together I’m going to make it, we’ll see. But I have a couple ideas. It’s a cliché play, I really can’t believe I’m part of it, honestly…”
Frank has the sudden urge to ruffle Gerard’s hair and kiss him on the cheek.
Motherly instinct or some shit.
-
Frank hates to admit it, but he’s enjoying going to rehearsals. Some of the kids still seem a little squicked by his appearance but Frank ignores that, always sitting with Gerard. He sort of watches the play, but it’s mostly more entertaining to watch Gerard. The way his hand swipes over the cheap paper, his frown when he erases little details. Frank is often left biting his tongue in disappointment because he believes something truly amazing is gone. But he trusts Gerard.
-
The play takes place at the only building with a quality stage and quality lighting in the entire city. There’s an auditorium in the elementary school, and it’s where the few local plays take place. Mr. Fields sets up another meeting a week before the first rehearsal asking all those participating in the play to attend.
Frank approaches Gerard after Music Theory. “You’re going to the drama meeting after school, right?”
Gerard looks up, distracted. Frank barely catches a glance at the inside of the sketch book - Gerard’s hands are fast. “Oh. Yes, I’ll be there.”
“Meet me at my locker after school, would you? We can walk down together.”
Gerard gives Frank one of his slow smiles.
-
“Fuckin’ Chemistry, man. I’m shit at this stuff.”
Gerard shrugs. “I like math,” he admits. “Maybe because it’s logical. I’m pretty good with logic, usually.”
“Lucky. Creative and logistic. I’m sort of creative, I guess. But logic isn’t my thing.”
Gerard chuckles as they continue down the hall. There are only a couple of people left in the halls, getting drinks and snacks out of vending machines and scurrying in and out of the bathrooms, changing for sports. The Lecture Room is at the end of a long hallway, and Frank and Gerard can both see the crowd of people waiting for the janitor to finish cleaning so they can go in and sit down.
Frank and Gerard reach the room as soon as everyone begins filing in. In comparison to the original flood of people who had wanted to join, there are only about half as many. Frank and Gerard sit in the same place they always do, the far right in the third table up.
Mr. Fields gains the attention of everyone in the room in his usual way. “This is just a basic check-up, so don’t worry, you’ll be out of here in a couple of minutes. I’ll take role-call and then we’re going to go over some basics…”
Afterwards, Gerard admits he forgot to tell Mikey about the meeting again and Frank drives him home.
-
Gerard is sketching ferociously.
Frank wants to say something but he holds his breath, waiting for Gerard’s hand to pause or hesitate or just stop moving for a moment so he can speak. He ends up letting out a long huff of air, blinking from holding his breath too long.
Gerard looks up. “Hey, Frankie.”
Frank smiles at the newly adapted nickname and looks up at the stage. It’s intermission and most people are changing their costumes (for those who already have costumes) or chatting and checking their phones. The tech booth, up a flight of stairs at the back of the auditorium, is empty besides Alicia, who’s still tinkering with one of the sound effects. Gerard’s been sitting on the auditorium floor, sketching since the play started. When Frank tries to catch a glance, Gerard’s already sliding the sketchbook away.
“How’s it going? The drawing, I mean.”
Gerard grins, looking genuinely pleased. “Perfect. I’ll be done tomorrow.”
Frank nods, sitting down next to Gerard, crossing his legs. “It’s kind of fun up there. Quinn and Alicia are both pretty cool. Pretty weird, but it’s nice to know I’m not the only one.”
Gerard smiles from the corner of his mouth. “You’re definitely not,” he agrees, flipping his pencil around between his fingers. “There’s me, for one.”
“You’re not weird,” Frank finds himself saying, watching Gerard’s knee.
“That’s nice of you to say.”
He doesn’t know how to respond.
-
The entire auditorium is silent besides Frank and Gerard’s offbeat breathing.
“I could take you home,” Frank says, shattering the silence. Gerard doesn’t even look up, but Frank can hear him swallowing next to him in the tech booth. The auditorium is also completely dark, besides what little light is drifting through the large windows. Frank can still see the outline of Gerard’s face, and his heart beats a little faster when he thinks about how they shouldn’t be here.
“That would be cool,” Gerard agrees.
It’s almost nine o’clock.
Gerard shuffles from his cross legged position to his knees, cracking his fingers. Frank winces and also adjusts himself, stretching his legs out in the cramped space.
The moment seems slower. Gerard touches his shoulder first and then leans down. Frank feels the rush of air on his face and his body tells him to close his eyes. Gerard kisses the very corner of his mouth fleetingly and Frank finds himself twitching involuntarily to keep the tiny kiss from ending.
Gerard stands, sloppily, and clatters out of the room, leaving Frank alone on the floor, his heart pounding against his rib cage.
The drive back is, to say the least, awkward.
When they pull into the Way’s driveway and Frank puts the car in park, he finds himself reaching over to the passenger seat. His hand rests on Gerard’s knee and though it wasn’t his original intent it’s close enough. Gerard is tense.
“I’ll see you,” Gerard mumbles as he slips out of the car and out of Frank’s touch.
-
Gerard continues to avoid Frank. Or make sure that they’re not alone together.
Three rehearsals later and Frank is sick of Gerard always striking up a conversation with Quinn - the boy who just gives them both scared looks - and even Alicia, who just raises an eyebrow and looks at Frank as if he has the answer.
He doesn’t.
-
“Fuck!”
From a couple of paces down outside the building, Gerard jumps, glancing back at Frank. He then continues to walk, following Alicia to her car.
“I don’t think so, you prick. I’m taking you home tonight.”
Gerard and Alicia both turn, and Alicia is scowling. Gerard just looks surprised. He glances over his shoulder at Alicia and then back at Frank. “Come on,” Frank growls, growing more frustrated. Every nerve in his body feels frayed and on edge, and by the looks of it, Gerard’s at the same level.
“Just fuckin’ go with him. You knew it was going to happen sometime!” Alicia snaps, and she doesn’t wait, turning and opening her car door. She’s already pulled out of her parking space and is driving out of the lot before Gerard can even get his words together.
Even in the dark, Frank can tell that Gerard is flushed. His stomach sinks.
“You told her?” he half-yells, incredulous. The parking lot is almost empty, the last of the straggles finally being picked up or heading to their cars. No one really looks at Frank or Gerard, standing in the space between the building and the parking lot. “Why the hell would you tell her?”
Gerard takes a couple of steps forwards, looking nervous. “She and Mikey are dating now, so, uhm. We kind of talk a lot easier now. And Mikey’s not annoyed with me anymore.” Gerard does his nervous habit, running his hands impatiently through his hair. “And it’s not scary to talk to her.”
“Does Mikey know?”
“He…might. I’m not sure. I think he’s sort of suspicious. I dunno.”
Frank lets out an exasperated sigh. “Come on, we’re going home. Or something. Can you call your folks? You’re sleeping over.”
Gerard sputters for a moment, blinking constantly. “I - I don’t think that’s - we have school tomorrow and-”
Frank rolls his eyes. “No, actually, we don’t. It’s a teachers’ day. Anyway, even if we did it wouldn’t matter. I’d just take you to school. But we don’t have school, so.”
Gerard sighs and Frank grins, knowing he’s given up.
-
Gerard calls his family on the car ride. “Okay,” is all he says after he hangs up.
Frank doesn’t push it, just nodding.
-
“Mom?”
Frank peers into the kitchen and then upstairs. “Mom? Dad? Are you guys sleeping?”
The bathroom door upstairs opens and Frank’s mother steps out in a bathrobe. “Frankie? What is it…?”
“C’mon.”
Gerard mumbles a pathetic protest as he’s pulled into the sight of Mrs. Iero. “Hello,” he mumbles, embarrassed.
“I should have called, but uh, Gerard’s sleeping over. Is that okay?”
“Oh, sure, that’s perfectly fine. It’s nice to meet you, Gerard! Frank has said nice things about you.”
Gerard chances a look at Frank, raising an eyebrow. He mouths, “Really?” and Frank shrugs.
“She exaggerates,” he mumbles, looking back up to smile at his mother. “Thanks, Mom. We’ll just crash in my room!”
Frank grabs Gerard wrists and half-drags him upstairs, his mother slipping back into the bedroom.
Gerard stutters to a halt and Frank closes the door behind him. “Sorry about the mess,” Frank says, but he doesn’t sound very sorry. “I wasn’t really expecting you. But anyway, yeah. We need to talk.”
“Wait.”
Frank waits.
Gerard steps into the middle of the room, looking around in awe. “This is…”
Frank continues to wait, crossing his arms, though not impatiently.
“I really, really like your room,” Gerard finally murmurs, sounding embarrassed. “Your walls are really cool.”
Frank blinks and looks at his walls - they’re red, painted when they had moved into the house because Frank had screamed since he hated the wallpaper - but most of the red is covered by posters. Bands, movies, television shows, and everything in between. Frank’s not sure what’s so great about his room - it’s messy and kind of stinks because his cat’s always roaming around doing God knows what. But if Gerard likes it, he won’t say anything.
“I just think it’s all really cool,” Gerard murmurs again, sounding less embarrassed. He sits down on Frank’s bed, still staring, and Frank coughs and scratches his head awkward before sitting besides him. “Okay.”
“Okay…?”
“Talk. You wanted to talk.”
Frank nods, though suddenly it’s hard for him to form the words. Subconsciously he begins to play with his lip ring. He doesn’t notice Gerard staring until he dips in for a second kiss.
This time, Frank’s even more surprised. He pulls back at first and feels Gerard’s breath and wants to push back forward, regretting the movement at all.
“Sorry,” Gerard whispers, wiping his mouth and looking at his lap. “I…”
“Please stop apologizing,” Frank says quietly, letting his fingers scrape over the edge of Gerard’s jaw. “Fuck, I…don’t know what to say.”
“Did I misjudge you?”
“Huh…?”
“Was I wrong? Are you straight but just really nice? Or do you pity me, or what? Sorry, I just, this is really irritating and freaking me out and I don’t what to do or say without sounding like an idiot…I mean, listen to me, I’m really afraid right now and I think this is pointless and I don’t know why you wanted me to come over or whatever because…”
Frank kisses Gerard on the corner of the mouth, similar to the way Gerard had done the first time. “I’m really glad I met you,” Frank whispers against Gerard’s stiff cheek. “You’re so talented and beautiful and such an artist and I don’t think you even know it yet.”
Gerard sniffs and Frank slowly puts his arm around his shoulders.
-
“Fuckin…what the fuck time is it?”
Frank rolls over and curses again as he rolls into Gerard’s chest. Gerard grunts and pushes himself up until his back hits the wall. Frank’s mother continues to knock and Frank rubs his eyes, ducking out of the sunlight shining through the window.
He finally looks at his clock - it’s only 9:14.
“Fuck.”
“Your father made you two pancakes, so hurry up and get dressed so you can eat breakfast!”
“Yeah, yeah, okay, we heard you!”
The knocks finally go away and Gerard and Frank look at each other. “Sorry about my mom,” Frank says with a short laugh. “She gets kind of - well, I don’t know. Uh, here. I’m not sure if they’re clean but they’re…” Frank tosses a pair of jeans at Gerard who manages to catch them, just barely. “And ah, here, here’s a clean t-shirt.” Frank tosses the t-shirt and Gerard catches it easier, looking up at Frank with wide eyes. “What?”
“Um.”
Still looking curiously at Gerard, Frank changes.
-
“What do you want to do?” Frank asks over pancakes soaked in syrup. Gerard has his with none. No butter, either. “We could go to the mall or the park or something, looks like it’s a pretty nice day.”
“I want to draw.”
Frank frowns, chewing carefully. “Okay. What do you want to draw?”
Gerard rolls his eyes. “I’m not a mentally challenged nine year old, Frank. But I want to draw you. I don’t know why - but last night I was thinking about it but I had nothing to draw with and I felt awkward asking you for a pencil and paper considering…”
Frank blinks and looks down at his plate.
Yeah, the making out probably made it hard for Gerard to find a good time to say anything. Frank’s mouth actually still hurts. He’s pretty sure his lips are bruised.
“Yeah, we can…well, what do you want to do? I probably have some paper and stuff from when I was in art in middle school, or we could go to…I dunno, Walgreens or something and get some stuff. And do you wanna draw me like, in my house or outside or at your house or what?”
Gerard bites his lip and sniffs, seemingly in thought. “Could you look for stuff while I consider? It’ll be easier than having to go out and buy stuff we might not need.”
“Yeah, sure,” Frank agrees easily, finishing his last bit of pancake and picking up both his and Gerard’s empty plates and setting them in the dishwasher. “I’ll be right back, I think I know where I have all my old stuff from middle school…”
Frank hurries up the stairs.
-
Frank ends up finding an old drawing pad - he rips out all of the stupid things he’d tried to draw and hands it to Gerard, along with a few kinds of pencils. “Not sure if you wanted an art pencil or a mechanical pencil or what, so I brought you a little of everything. I have one of those white erasers, too, the magic ones, you know? I always really liked those ones.”
Gerard smiles. “I like those, too. They don’t rip paper and they actually erase…thank you.”
The weather is shockingly nice for October, so the two decide to go to the park. Frank stashes away sandwiches, Pringles, and what Gerard thinks is cookie dough in his book bag and they head out, Frank again driving in his shit car.
Gerard opens the sketch book and begins to etch at the paper before they even get there. Frank feels self conscious and ends up with all his muscles tight from being anxious.
“Would you relax?” Gerard half-snaps as they pull into the parking lot of the local park. “It’s not like…it’s not like I’m going to make you ugly or anything. On purpose, I mean…not - not that you’re ugly…just that I don’t think I’m that good and I might…”
“Shut up,” Frank laughs as he turns off the car. “Okay, I get it. Sorry for being nervous. I’m not used to being so…analyzed. Especially not by someone…like you. Sorry.”
Gerard doesn’t answer, following Frank out of the car. They sit down at some benches in the sun, across from each other. They stare at each other for a moment, Frank again pushing against his lip ring without thinking. Gerard smiles a bit and leans forward, opening his sketch pad and slipping it so it’s propped on his lap, pressed against the wooden bench’s edge. Frank begins to feel nervous again.
But Gerard only looks up every once in a while - thought usually for at least a full minute or two - and after about forty five minutes, Frank is used to it. He gets the Pringles out of his bag and begins to eat, offering some to Gerard. He just shakes his head and continues drawing, using the eraser scarcely but frowning and licking his lips frequently.
“Done.”
An hour and a half later, Gerard lets out the deep and final breath. “It’s done.”
“Let me see.”
Gerard stares at the paper and then touches his hand slowly across the surface.
“Let me see.”
Gerard blinks and looks up at Frank, biting his lip.
“Let me see it, Gee. It’s me, how hideous could it be?”
Gerard smiles and, though hesitantly, hands Frank the sketch book.
Frank spends at least three minutes staring at himself. It’s an odd experience - he’s seeing things he’d never seen before, and things he thought no one else had noticed. Gerard has managed to capture Frank’s smile almost perfectly, down to the way his eyes squint and his mouth opens just a little extra on the right. The lip ring is perfectly placed and Frank has to admit that he’s almost astounded by the way Gerard has drawn his own hair - just by looking at it, it seems textured and real.
“You really are something, aren’t you, Gee? Fuck.”
“It’s - it’s not like, the best thing I’ve ever drawn…but I do like it, honestly. I think I got you pretty well.”
“You know me better than my own mother.”
Before Gerard can protest, Frank pushes himself across the table and kisses him again.
-
“What’s going to happen when the play’s over?”
Frank looks at Gerard, mouth open. They’re sitting in the light booth, waiting for their cues - Alicia and Quinn are taking care of sound downstairs.
“What d’you mean?” Frank whispers back - they have to be quiet because somehow, sound from the light booth carries through the whole auditorium. “Between us, or…?”
Gerard nods.
“Well, you can still come over. And if you ever need rides home, I can take you home. I don’t see why anything has to…has to change.”
Gerard shrugs. “I just don’t trust myself, I guess,” he murmurs softly. “And we don’t see each other often at school, besides Music Theory.”
“So?” Frank is incredulous, one of the things he’s very good at. “We’ll have to make time. I mean, it can’t be that hard. Plus, there’ll be drama in the spring if you still…if you still decide to do it. If you do it, I’ll do it.”
Gerard does that same smile, that secretive and careful smile that Frank has only seen three times. “Yeah, I’ll do it if you do it,” he agrees in a breathy whisper.
After rehearsal, they end up making out in the corner of the light booth.
-
Frank feels like he has a privilege when people start gushing over Gerard’s artwork for the play.
“It’s amazing! I never knew you were so talented - I’m definitely buying a shirt!” a girl from their grade gushes. Gerard just smiles at her, modest as always and thanking her for the compliment. Frank stands by his side and feels like a proud parent who convinced their kid to finally do something they really love. And it makes Frank even prouder because he can see that the things the other kids are saying are really making him happy. He had never truly had confidence in himself before.
Frank has the drawing of himself pinned up on the wall.
-
“So you’re my brother’s boyfriend.”
Frank nearly spits his milk back into his container. “I - excuse me?” he sputters, looking up from his group of friends. It’s then that he recognizes Mikey Way - Gerard’s younger brother - standing with Alicia who looks guilty. She mouths a “Sorry” and shrugs and Frank is still at a loss for words.
“He talks about you. It’s weird. Like you’re really…really cool or something.”
Frank still doesn’t know what to say. “I…I’m really glad he thinks so. I think he’s pretty awesome, too. He’s so talented and I want to know more about him, so, um…”
“Find out more about him. Ask him about singing. Ask him about art and music. Don’t you dare take him for granted.”
A couple of Frank’s friends still look confused and Frank straightens his back, staring right back at Mikey. “I will never take Gerard for granted. I can give you my word on that.” He stretches out his hand and at first Mikey looks suspicious, but then he reaches out and takes it. He has a slightly painful grip.
“…Don’t tell him I approached you, though,” Mikey mumbles and Frank just laughs.
-
“I don’t really know that much about you.”
Gerard is sketching again, but he’s not too concentrated so Frank doesn’t feel so bad throwing an arm around him and nibbling at his ear.
“I guess I don’t know much about you, either. Why do you have tattoos and piercings?”
“Because they express who I am. They remind me of myself. Why don’t you have either?”
“Phobia. Needles. Ugh.”
“Ouch.”
“Yeah, my point exactly.” Gerard rubs his hand along Frank’s lower arm, turning his head. They kiss lightly. “Thanks for having me over for dinner.”
“Thanks for coming over,” Frank mumbles, burying his face in his neck. “It’s nice to have someone that my parents not only like, but really like feeding. I think they think you’re like, a lost boy or some shit and don’t get fed at home. You get fed at home…right?”
Gerard laughs. “Yes, I get fed at home. But a lost boy, really? See, that just makes me think of Peter Pan.”
“You? Think of Peter Pan?” Frank laughs this time. “That’s odd.”
“I was Peter Pan in an elementary school play. It was an…experience. I sang a lot.”
“Yeah, I hear you’ve got quite a voice…you’ve yet to demonstrate it for me.”
Gerard shrugs. “I haven’t really sung much since then. I kind of gave up on it, I guess. No one’s made me sing so I haven’t had…a reason to sing, you know? It hasn’t mattered. So I just stopped.”
“Yeah, well. I want to hear your voice.”
“Maybe tomorrow,” Gerard agrees. It’s a Saturday night, almost eleven. “So, wait an hour. Maybe an hour and a half.”
Frank grins. “Fuck yeah.” He bites into the skin of Gerard’s throat.
-
When Gerard sings, his voice is strong and fluid. He doesn’t have a particularly amazing range, but Frank can imagine it developing. He can imagine the way Gerard could sing, will sing, and how amazing it’ll be when the time comes.
-
“So are we…dating?”
Frank snorts and bites into his cheeseburger. It’s two days until the play starts and they’re sitting on the stage with another twenty or so people eating before rehearsal starts.
“Your brother seems to think - oh, fuck.”
Gerard looks taken aback and then suspicious. “What did Mikey say to you…?”
“Um.”
Gerard glares. “Spit it out.”
“He told me not to tell but obviously I really don’t have a choice now…”
Gerard reaches over and punches Frank. Hard. In the shoulder. “Fuck! Okay, okay. He just said…he said to take good care of you, basically. You know, brotherly stuff. He called me your boyfriend. My friends were a bit wary at first but they don’t seem to mind, so…it all works out.”
“Do you…” Gerard seems to have lost a bit of his steam. “Do you want to be my boyfriend? Like - do you want us to be called ‘boyfriends’?” he asks quietly, picking a fry from Frank’s bag. “Me being your boyfriend. You being my boyfriend. The whole deal.”
Frank grins. “Yeah, I think we could do that. I think we could work that out.”
Gerard smiles, just barely. “Yeah?”
Frank seals the idea in front of their twenty classmates, pushing himself across the stage and pecking Gerard on the lips.
“There. Now there’s no denying.”
Though there’s little reaction from those around them.
-
“Are you nervous?” Frank whispers. Gerard shivers and shrugs Frank away. “Because I’m nervous.”
“Why are you nervous?” Gerard whispers back, though not in the same manner as Frank - he lacks the leaning in and ghosting his breath over Frank’s ear. “You have nothing to be nervous about.”
“I don’t know,” Frank says, voice still quiet, “I guess I’m nervous for everyone else. Or that we’ll miss a cue.”
“Pressure…”
“I could show you pressure…” Frank mumbles as he presses his nose and mouth against Gerard’s neck, leaning into his back. Gerard elbows him in the ribs and Frank curses under his breath, moving back. “Fine, fine, no fun before the show.”
Gerard doesn’t verbally respond, staring out of the light booth into the gathering crowd. Kids are taking seats in the back while parents and school staff take their seats up at front, where kids have reserved them. Gerard had told Frank not to put their parents together, but when Gerard was back helping Alicia with one of the sounds last minute, Frank had taped his mother right next to Mr. and Mrs. Way - and Mikey - but didn’t leave a seat for his father. His father had a meeting that night and couldn’t make the next show night either. It was only slightly disappointing for Frank, and he found it easier to just shrug and pretend to move on quickly.
“Ah, I see Mikey and your parents…” Frank points as the three enter the auditorium - it was easy for him to spot the Ways by Mrs. Way’s curly blonde hair - and Gerard follows his finger.
“Why are they sitting by your - fuck you, Frank, you reserved your mom’s seat next to my parents.”
“I did indeed, and now there’s nothing you can do about it.”
-
At intermission they sneak out of the light booth and into the now empty costume closet behind the stage and make out for the duration of fifteen minutes. Frank mostly forces Gerard into the idea because he really likes it when Gerard is panting.
-
The show goes smoothly, Gerard and Frank working the lights perfectly. The only issue with the tech crew is that Alicia screws up one of the sounds - the actors and Alicia both manage to pull off a cover quite nicely, though, and Gerard seems sort of proud of her. Frank follows Gerard after the show to their families.
When Mikey hugs Gerard, he glares at Frank over his shoulder. Frank takes a step back, raising his hands, and smiles. He doesn’t want to have a disagreement with Mikey.
“You two were wonderful,” Frank’s mother gushes, giving her son a hug. “I’m really proud of you, and I’m so glad you did this and made a new friend. It was so nice meeting the Ways, too.” Frank smiles at Gerard and Mikey’s parents, who seem a little confused but also slightly pleased. “Thank you so much for befriending my son.”
Gerard’s eyes widen and he flushes. “Well, that’s - that’s really kind of you, Mrs. Iero but…but Frankie more - he befriended me more than I - he helped me more than…” Gerard shoots a desperate glance at Frank, who’s smirking. “You’re welcome.”
-
Frank throws his arm over Gerard’s chest. “When do you think we should tell them? Or do you think Mikey will tattle before we have the chance? Oh God, what will Dad think? Mom will probably think it’s so cute or something. Eugh.”
Gerard laughs, sniffing and kissing Frank’s forehead. “Who really cares when we tell them? I mean, they’ll find out and when they do it’ll either be because we wanted to tell them or because they just…found out. I have faith in Mikey, though. I’ve kept plenty of secrets for him, I’m sure he’ll be willing to keep a couple pocketed for me.”
They fall asleep on Frank’s bed thinking about the future.