Gerard and Mikey were up to their third movie, Alicia having arrived halfway through the first, and Gerard's spirits had been lifted up a bit by both of them, between the horror movies, Mikey talking shit about Frank, and Alicia saying encouraging words to Gerard like 'don't worry Gee, he's not worth it anyway.'

All in all he was in a pretty good mood, and halfway through a shitty version of Dracula, he heard his doorbell ring.

“I'll get it.” He said to Mikey and Alicia, already pushing himself up from the bed.

He made his way up the stairs of his basement, hearing his doorbell ring again.
“Coming.” He shouted, speeding his step to sprint up the stairs.

When he got to the door, he wasn't all that surprised to see Brendon on the other side.

He sighed loudly, letting Brendon in nonetheless. “Brendon I thought I'd told you guys not to miss the party because of me.”

Brendon grinned back at him. “I'm not ditching, I came to get you guys ready so you can go join the party.”

Gerard scowled at him. “Brendon don't be ridiculous, feel free to get Mikey and Alicia, but I wasn't invited.” Said Gerard with a shrug.

Brendon's grin seemed to get even bigger, if that was possible. “Nope, you're invited too.

Just spoke to Frank, he says he doesn't want to carry on his party without you.”

Gerard had to process all this for a few seconds. First of all Frank wanted him at his party, not only just in a 'being nice having you there' way, but in a way that he didn't want to carry on the party without Gerard there. Second of all, he had no idea if he wanted to go, let alone Mikey getting all overprotective and not letting him. He had to think about it for a second, on one hand he really didn't want to go, as a fuck you to Frank, make him suffer as much as he had made Gerard suffer. On the other, he always was a firm believer that people should get second chances. He cut himself short right there. He had given Frank a second chance, and Frank had thrown it all back in his face the exact same way he did the first time. However, Gerard figured, he knew how much that hurt, and if Frank truly wanted him there, he wasn't going to be a dick and hurt him the same way. He wasn't going to stoop down to Frank's level, and he had to admit he couldn't keep away, he couldn't resist. He loved the boy, if he wasn't doing this for the sake of not hurting Frank, he was doing it for the sake of keeping his sanity.

He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Fine I'll go, can't make any promises about Mikey and Alicia though. I'm pretty sure I can whip an outfit together.”

Brendon smiled brightly at him. “Great, c'mon let's get moving.”

Gerard got to the door of his basement again, fidgeting awkwardly, kind of scared to break the news to Mikey.

Apparently he didn't have to, since as soon as Brendon found his way into Gerard's room straight after him, he was telling everyone. “C'mon you two love birds get ready. We're going to Frank's.”

Mikey didn't even look that surprised. He just raised an eyebrow and looked at Gerard. “You ok with this?”

Gerard just shrugged. He supposes Mikey must've understood that Gerard was fine with it though. Mikey always knew stuff like that. “Okay then.” He said. “Let's get ready.”

Perhaps he had dressed up as a vampire because he had been inspired by Dracula, or maybe it was that he knew that vampires were Frank's favorite creatures, but that was all beside the point.

He had managed to find some pretty cool stuff, simple, but if put together the right way, effective. He had found a white shirt, some black slacks, and a black waistcoat, assuming it was probably from some wedding he had been at or something, with some black shoes to match. He had also managed to find some red silky material he used to wrap around the collar of his shirt, kind of like a napkin. It took him a while to find through his art supplies but eventually he found some white face paint and fake blood, supposing he should really have just put them with his makeup. He got any visible part of his skin painted white, and then dabbed some fake blood on his lips and dribbling down, the dark red contrasting with the pale white beautifully.

He turned around stating that he was ready, when he saw Mikey there, with a beautiful cape, dark red on the inside and black on the outside, with a beautifully metal cuff to hold it in place. The material was velvety as well, and he didn't even want to consider why or when Mikey had bought it, let alone how much it had cost him. Mikey must've read the look on his face though, or maybe it was just that he was Mikey, but he chuckled a bit and just stated that he had bought it for a project he had had to do in drama.

“Awesome isn't it?” He said.

Gerard let out a breathy 'fuck yeah'. “Can I?” He asked pointing to the cape in his brother's hand.

“Yeah course Gee, it's the reason why I brought it down here you numpty, or do you think a zombie couple is going to need a vampire cape?”

Gee just chuckled at him and shrugged the cape on carefully, it fit him because Mikey was a tall kid, and when he did up the cuff and looked in the mirror, his breath caught in his throat.
“Woah.” Breathed Brendon, sounding beyond himself. “You look fucking awesome dude.”

“He's right.” Said Alicia. “You look straight out of a fucking movie.”

Gerard blushed at the compliments. “Well you guys aren't looking too bad yourselves he smiled.”

Mikey just rolled his eyes, but still smiled fondly at him. “You look great Gee. It might all be a waste though if we don't get to the party before it ends.” He stated.

Brendon let out an 'oh shit', and they all glanced at each other before running up the stairs and out the door.

---

Frank had fixed himself up completely, managing to uncrumple his clothes a bit and fix his makeup, his eyes were kind of bloodshot and it made them look awesome against the white paint he had on his face, so he decided to put a pinkish read eyeshadow all over his eyelids and underneath. He couldn't deny it, he looked like an even fucking better vampire than he did before.

He had dressed up as a vampire for his 18th birthday because not only were they his favorite creatures, he supposed he couldn't help but notice how Gerard had a fascination with them, and how Gerard was almost vampiric himself. He did it all subconsciously as well, he didn't even realize he had been doing it for Gerard until he started fixing himself up. Well partially anyways.

He heard the doorbell ring and suddenly felt a bolt of anxiousness, what if Gerard had refused to show up? He couldn't handle that rejection. He mentally kicked himself because he had made Gerard feel that way twice, one of them after promising him not to do it again.
He wiped his sweaty hands on his black skinny jeans and took a deep breath, preparing himself for whoever he saw at the door. To be honest he wasn't entirely sure if he was more scared of Gerard being there or not. However he figured it was best he answered the door.
He ran down the stairs almost tripping over a few and shoving his way past everyone in his house to get to the door. When he opened it he almost tripped again, this time over his own feet.

Brendon was there grinning as always and Mikey and Alicia were dressed up as an awesome zombie couple but he didn't focus on that because his mind was all on Gerard. Gerard was standing there shuffling awkwardly from foot to foot and he looked goddamnbeautiful. Gerard already looked sort of like a vampire but now that he was dressed up he looked like he had come straight out of Dracula. He had on a simple shirt with black slacks and a black vest but the silk around his collar and the wine red and black velvet cape were astounding. He was even paler than usual and had fake blood making his lips look red and full, and his black hair was ruffled up, looking extremely soft. Frank suddenly felt very self conscious of his own shitty costume, however because it was Gerard, he gave Frank a really warm smile and said “You look great Frankie, happy birthday.”

Frank just wanted to grab him and kiss the shit out of him right there, instead he gave Gerard a small thanks and let them all in.

He leaned against the door after he closed it and squeezed his eyes shut. He reopened them and sighed, he really needed to speak to Gerard.

He found him in his living room, still close to Mikey, and he made his way toward him.
“Hey Gerard, can I have a word in private?” he whispered.

Mikey must have overheard though because he suddenly got all up in Frank's face. “No you can't, you want to speak to him you can also speak to me.” He said in an aggressive tone, and Frank gulped.

Suddenly Gerard touched Mikey's arm gently. “Let me deal with it, my problem not yours.” He said softly.

Mikey looked hesitant for a second but then nodded at Gerard and stepped away from Frank. Now Gerard's eyes were on him, and he gestured up towards his bedroom, and started to lead the way, Gerard close behind him.

He walked into his room and flopped down onto his bed, closing his eyes shut again. He heard the double click of the door closing, then locking, and decided it was safe to open his eyes.

“I have something to tell you.” Frank whispered quietly. Gerard hummed so he carried on. “I love you too, the same way you loved me. That's the only reason why I pushed you away because no matter how brave you think I am, I couldn't deal with my feelings for you so I ran away like a fucking coward. And I'm so sorry, I only even dated Jamia because I thought by dating her I could forget you but then I realized what was helping was keeping myself away and I kept on pretending to date her so she could make her ex jealous and they're now both sucking face downstairs whilst I'm here feeling like the biggest fucking dick. I can't believe you feel so stupid and worthless when you're anything but, and I'm disgusted that I even made you feel that way, because you don't deserve it. You're great, enthusiastic, sweet, and caring, and I love you to fucking bits, and the thought of not being able to have you ripped me apart so fucking much that I ran away from it all, going back on the promise that meant most to you, and to me. But if you still love me, then I am willing to accept your love and give you mine back, and this time I swear on everything that's important to me that I won't fuck up.” He blurted.

Gerard shut his eyes and took a deep breath, afterward reopening them. “Frank, I can't keep giving you second chances. I give you my trust back and every single time you throw it back in my face and send my feelings to shit, you can't expect to just fall at your feet again.” He said calmly, and composed, and Frank seriously wondered when he had gotten this skilled because Gerard was usually tumbling and gagging all over his words in situations like this. Probably when you were too busy ignoring him and making him feel like shit his brain supplied as an answer.

Frank sighed. “No Gee, fuck.” He pressed the palms of his hands to his eyes. “I didn't mean it like that.” He said looking up at him. “I don't even expect you to be here right now talking and putting up with me, not after the shit I put you through. All I'm saying is that, if you do still love me, and are willing to put up a bit longer with me, that you can give me your love any day you want, and I'll give mine back.”

Gerard just sighed. “That's exactly what I mean. I gave you my friendship twice and you chucked it carelessly to the side, yet here you still are saying it's fine if I give you my love. For you it might be fucking fine, but for me it's not. You pushed me around for four years after we stopped being friends, and what I didn't even realize until now was that it didn't end after those four years, you still kept pushing me around, not intentionally, and it wasn't even your fault, because you didn't push me into anything, but I was still in your control, I followed you around like a puppy, you were my role model. I'm just really fucking tired of falling at your feet and worshiping you just because you goddamn asked. I'm tired of doing shit for you and not even caring about how I feel, and I'm tired of you taking me for granted. I meant what I said in that letter you know, I still think our friendship wasn't meant to be, and that it should just cease to exist.” Gerard said, once again, firmly.

Frank felt his throat seizing up, Gerard couldn't be saying this, let alone actually meaning it. He gulped trying to get the lump in his throat go down, it didn't however. All he felt was the ache in his throat from trying to hold back the tears, drowned out by the pain in his chest. It was unbelievable, it felt like his organs were being pulled out of it by a hook, just tugging. Or as if it had completely swelled up with a gas, and it hurt, physically and emotionally. And Frank broke. After choking out quietly a “Gee, no. Don't do this, you can't.” He started sobbing, curling into his side in a fetal position like he had earlier, and ruining his makeup for the second time that night. What a great fucking 18th birthday, he thought bitterly to himself.
“Gee you can't – you can't do this to me.” He sobbed out.

Gerard looked on the verge of tears himself, yet when he spoke he sounded as calm and composed as he had before. “Why not Frank, you've done it twice to me.”

And suddenly Frank felt pissed, not only at the low blow, because Gerard fucking knew how much he regretted that, but also that Gerard was even fucking suggesting this.

“Why not?” He suddenly shouted, bolting up and wiping away his tears. “You're seriously asking me this? Well then I'll tell you why not, because if you feel even a fraction as much as I feel for you then you know, you fucking know that you can't go one day without me without it physically hurting, because I sure as hell feel that way. Without you I am fucking nothing, I am an idiot who thinks he's hot shit when really, he's just a scumbag, but you make me so much more than that. So if you truly love me then you know you can't live without me, because that's how love works, and love is more than your stupid fucking fate bullshit, and if you can live without me, then you're a dirty fucking liar.” He spat out at Gerard right up close and personal to his face, tone tense and low, between gritted teeth.

Gerard growled, and Frank had to do a double take because wow, he didn't know if he should be scared or turned on. “You know what Frank?” Gerard asked, getting even closer. “Fuck you. You're a fucking dick you know that? Do you actually think the reason I suggested ending this friendship is because I didn't love you and could live without you, or because I believe in some stupid fate bullcrap? Did it not occur to you I'm ending it because I'm tired of being fucking trampled over and taken for granted? That I'm tired of my best fucking friend pushing me away?” He spat back in the same tone as Frank, and that was it. They hadn't broken each other, they had smashed each other to pieces.

“Yeah well maybe it didn't occur to you that maybe I do think you believe in this fate shit because you mentioned it in your stupid fucking letter, and that it's kind of hard to believe your love for me when you're spewing insults and bullshit excuses as to why we should stop hanging out.” Frank said, and it didn't even sound like Frank. Not even to himself. It sounded low and raw and animal like. It sounded fucking dangerous. However, Gerard had no trouble in matching the tone.

“Yeah well maybe you're just too fucking stupid to understand that it was a metaphor of sorts, and that maybe, just maybe I'm spewing insult at you because I'm mad as shit.” Gerard said.

They just glanced at each other for a few seconds, actually looking like two vampires in a fight, and they were scared, scared shitless of what the other would do. Frank couldn't help himself though. They were so fucking close, he could feel Gerard's ragged breathing on his cheek, and he could feel both of their bodies radiating the adrenaline from the argument, he could feel it pumping through his fucking veins.

He shoved Gerard roughly against the wall, immediately attacking his mouth with rage and angst, but also pure fucking lust and passion. He was everywhere, hands flying erratically to Gerard's hair, his tongue shoving into his mouth mercilessly, tasting as much of him as he could, Gerard's tongue shoving back as strong, his hands grabbing Frank's hips hard enough to leave fucking bruises, and pushing him back against the bed, and shoving him roughly onto it, straddling his hips a second later and getting back to business. They lay there just for a few minutes, eating each other's face out like there was no tomorrow, fucking dirty and raw, yet with so much passion it hurt. Rolling around the bed in a battle of dominance, until the kiss eventually slowed down into a slow and calm pace, and ending with a small peck of the lips.

They lay there, side by side, facing each other flushed, panting and heavy with how intense it had all been, staring into each other's eyes and trying to catch their breath. It was almost as intense as the kiss had been, like they were staring into each other's soul, bonding them. Like they were reading their deepest darkest secrets, yet there was a silent promise that not a single word would be said.

Eventually it got to much for Frank, he closed his eyes and let out a shuddery breath. “I'm so fucking sorry Gee, I'm such a fucking moron and I don't deserve you, no matter how much I try to redeem myself. Hell I could go through a thousand lifetimes of redeeming myself, yet still not be enough for you.”

Gerard sushed him. “You're enough, you're more than enough, and just so you know, I am willing to give you my love, as long as you give yours back. But I swear to God if you fuck this up, I will never, and I mean never do so much as glance ate you again. It's simple Frankie, three strikes you're out. You're on your third, don't mess it up.”

Frank looked up at Gerard disbelievingly. “Really?” He asked hopefully.

Gerard cracked a smile. “Really.” He promised.

Frank jumped up onto him and bathed his face in kisses. “Oh my God, you are the absolute best. I promise I won't fuck up, this time, it's gonna stick.” He said.

Gerard laughed. “Thank God you read the letter, otherwise I would've missed out on your 18th birthday party and we wouldn't be dating.” He said.

Frank's face fell to one of complete horror. “Oh my God. I'm 18 and you're still 17. I'm a fucking pedophile.” He squeaked.

Gerard looked at him uncertainly before bursting into a fit of giggles. “Oh man, are you serious? You're barely 5 months older, besides I highly doubt our parents would mind.” Said Gerard.

Frank scowled. “I suppose.”

“Sorry I kind of made you cry on your birthday. Do you want to make out for the rest of the -”

“Fuck yeah.” Frank cut him off, rolling on top and getting back to exploring his boyfriend's mouth. Huh, he had a boyfriend now, and it was Gerard. He could totally get used to that.

Notes

three cheers for dirty fucking kissing, hells yeah.