Unreal...(edited)

Gerard woke up late the next day, he wasn't planning on going anywhere and had been quite busy the last few days so he decided to stay at home. Anyway, after his interaction with those kids the day before, he didn't really want to go outside. He dragged myself out of bed, tripping over his trainers like he normally does. He wandered downstairs.

He had two things on his mind; coffee and Frankie. He saw that the coffee he hadn't drunk the night before was still on the table, so he picked it up and put it in the microwave. He wouldn't see a good coffee go to waste. He picked up a stale doughnut and took a bite. The microwave pinged and he got out the mug but it was hotter than he expected and he dropped it.

"SHIT!"

He shouted. The coffee had gone all over the floor and the mug had smashed. He sighed and cleaned it up before making another cup.

He walked back into his studio with his coffee in hand. He placed it down on the desk and decided to sketch a few pictures of Frank. He was a little shorter than most of the other characters in the story and looked to be about eighteen. Gerard smiled as he drew the boy's cute little face. The first picture was Frankie standing up, then he drew him sitting down, then sleeping, looking super adorable...he wasn't sure why but he drew someone else beside him. No, Frank was sleeping on this guy. He drew him with black hair, just going over his shoulders. He was quite slim and maybe a year or two older than Frank.

"Shit! I drew Frank with me...and it looks pretty perfect."

While Gerard was colouring the pictures in, the doorbell rang. He ran downstairs and opened the door.

"Can I come in?..."

Mikey smiled. Gerard sighed loudly.

"I've brought pizza..."

He showed his brother the two pizza boxes behind his back. Gerard half smiled and let him in.

"Have you wrote anymore of that Iero guy comic?"

Mikey asked, his mouth full of pepperoni.

"It's Frank Iero and yes, Simmonds saw it yesterday."

Gerard picked at a slice of meat feast.

"What did he think!?"

Mikey shouted excitedly.

"You should of seen his face...he loves it!..."

Gerard squealed. Mikey squealed too and jumped on top of him.

"Woah, calm the fuck down, you're not exactly light!"

Gerard laughed.

"Is that you calling me fat?"

Mikey joked.

"No but since you've eaten nearly a whole pizza I might need to rethink that."

Gerard grinned and Mikey hit his arm.

"Where's the latest instalment then?"

~Time passes~

"What's this?"

Mikey asked after finishing the last page of the comic so far.

"What?"

Gerard tried to look over his shoulder.

"This."

He held up the picture of Gerard and Frankie cuddling.

"Nothing."

Gerard snatched it out of his hands.

"Are you in love with Frank?..."

His brother laughed. Gerard could feel himself blushing.

"Holy fuck you are!..."

Mikey burst into a fit of laughter.

"You're in serious need of a date dude..."

He had started crying he was laughing so hard.

"Why don't you just write it?"

He giggled.

"Fine. I will."

Gerard stuck his tongue out at Mikey and got some paper and a pen. He drew Frank on the phone to him.

~"Can I come over to your place tonight?"

He asked.

"Sure."

Gerard replied.~

He cut to Frankie coming in.

~Gerard had fallen asleep on the couch.

"Aww Gee..."

Frank whispered and lifted the older boy up. He carried him upstairs and undressed him. Gerard didn't wake up. Then Frank tucked him into bed and climbed in himself.

"Sweet dreams Gee."

He kissed the sleeping boy's forehead and tucked into his chest.~

God...why couldn't that happen. Mikey was looking over Gerard's shoulder the whole time.

"How much do you want that to really happen?"

He asked when his brother had finished.

"A lot."

Gerard whispered.

"Wow. I really do need to set you up with someone..."

His little brother laughed. Just then his phone rang.

"Oh shit, it's my girlfriend."

He half smiled.

"Bye Mikey."

Gerard said, pushing him through the living room.

"Wait, who said I'm leaving?"

Mikey looked at him.

"Bye Mikey!"

Gerard pushed him out the door.

"Wait..."

"BYE MIKEY!"

He shouted and slammed the door in his face.

After Mikey left, Gerard got himself a cup of coffee and watched some crappy made for TV movie. He didn't really want to draw anything else. What he'd done today was pretty damn perfect. It was getting late and he wasn't really watching the film. Instead, he was thinking of Frank.

"God, he's perfect. Why can't he be real?..."

Slowly, his daydreams turned into dreams as he fell asleep on the sofa.

"Sweet dreams Frankie. I love you."

"I love you Gee."

A voice whispered, but Gerard didn't hear it.

~Time passes~

When Gerard woke up he had his face in his pillow. He turned to his side and stretched a little. He turned off the ringing alarm and then it hit him...he fell asleep on the sofa last night, right?...and he was fully closed then too, and wasn't now. What the fuck happened? Maybe he woke up and realised that he had fallen asleep on the couch and quickly went to bed? Maybe yesterday never really happened and it was all just a dream? Maybe this was a dream?

"Maybe s-someone broke in and put me to bed while I was asleep...no that's stupid...I need a fucking starbucks. And maybe a cigarette and an aspirin."

Gerard whispered as he started to get up but then he felt someone grab his arm.

"Gee."

He heard a familiar voice say but he couldn't remember who. Should he turn around?...it could be an axe murder. He turned around anyway, risking it. Gerard's mind kind of short circuited with the thoughts that came to mind all at once...

Oh shit, this can't actually be happening.

No fucking way.

An axe murderer would be easier to explain...

It was Frank fucking Iero.

Gerard wasn't sure whether to pass out or scream or kiss him...he picked 'none of the above' and instead, half smiled and ran downstairs. He still tripped over his sneakers. He grabbed the phone and punched Mikey's number in.

"Hello?"

He heard a slightly croaky voice on the other end of the line.

"Mikey, you have to come over right now!"

He snapped.

"What...why?"

Mikey mumbled.

"Come here RIGHT FUCKING NOW MICHAEL JAMES WAY!"

Gerard shouted down the line.

"Okay, okay, I'm coming, God!"

He put the phone down. Gerard ran into the shower and got dressed, completely avoiding Frank.

After he'd gotten dressed, Frankie was in the kitchen, making pancakes.

"Hi Gee..."

He smiled and kissed Gerard on the cheek. His lips were so soft.

"What's wrong?"

He asked. What's wrong!? You're what's wrong Frankie!

"Who are you?"

Gerard blurted out. Frank laughed.

"Wow, I must of hit your head or something last night..."

Frank laughed. God, his laugh was so adorable.

"I'm Frank Anthony Thomas Iero Jr. I was born on Halloween and I'm 22 years old. I work at a coffee shop part time and have a crappy flat a couple of miles from here. I've been your boyfriend for a few months now and maybe I should tell you about yourself..."

Frank laughed again.

"You're Gerard Arthur Way. You were born on April 9th and you're 24 years old. You work for a comic book company as an artist slash author and this is the house you rent."

Just as Gerard thought he was going to faint, the doorbell rang.

"I'LLGETIT"

He shouted unintelligibly and ran to the door. He opened the door. Thank God it was Mikey.

"Seriously you have to do something about the kids around here, I'm not sure that my car's..."

"He's in the kitchen!"

Gerard whisper shouted.

"What...who? Why the fuck are you whispering?..."

Gerard's brother gave him a weird look. Gerard couldn't blame him, he probably sounded crazy just then.

"Are you making pancakes?"

Mikey ran off into the kitchen and Gerard went after him.

"Hey Mikey."

Frank waved, his mouth full of pancake.

"Where did you get this guy? Is he a hooker?!"

Mikey whispered as Gerard stopped next to him.

"WHAT? NO!"

Gerard shouted but Frankie didn't look up.

"Who is he then...I recognise him from somewhere but I don't know where."

Mikey frowned.

"It's Frankie."

Gerard whispered...then Mikey started laughing.

"You have to be kidding me!...I mean yeah he looks a bit like him but..."

He got the hysterics again.

"What are you guys laughing about?..."

Frankie swallowed his last piece of pancake.

"If you're not hungry, can I have yours?"

He asked.

"Uh, sure."

Gerard grinned. God, Frankie was so adorable. He could get away with anything.

"We're going to the mall, now!"

Mikey dragged Gerard out of the kitchen and towards the door. The older boy quickly picked up his bag which the art folder was in from the living room.

"Wait, were are you going Gee?"

Frank got up and put on what Gerard guessed were his Vans.

"To the mall Frankie."

Gerard called.

"I'm...just...coming."

Frank hopped and tripped over a little. Mikey was just about to get in the car when Gerard asked.

"Can he?"

Mikey sighed and nodded and Gerard sat in the back with Frank.

When they got to the mall, Gerard was just about to walk in with Frankie when his brother pulled at his arm.

"He's not coming with us by the way."

He huffed.

"But where is he going to go? I don't want to leave him alone, I don't know what he's capable of."

Just then Gerard saw his friend Bob through the window of the music shop. He grabbed Frank's hand and pulled him over to were Bob was standing.

"Hi Gerard, how are you?"

Bob waved.

"I'm great, can you do me a favor?"

Gerard asked. Frank wandered over to where the guitars were and was eyeing up a white Les Paul.

"Sure, what is it?"

Bob smiled.

"Can you look after my boyfriend for me? I know it sounds weird but I need to go with Mikey right now and I don't want to ditch him."

Gerard started chewing his lip.

"It's cool but when did you get a boyfriend?"

Mikey gave Gerard a 'come here or else' look.

"He's over there, the short guy with the black hair. I'll see you later."

Gerard half smiled and ran off with Mikey.

~Time passes~

Gerard was sitting in a booth with Mikey in Starbucks.

"How am I supposed to believe that Frank Iero, the main character in your new comic book, has come to life?"

Mikey was staring at him. Gerard took another drink of his latte.

"He just has...I swear it's him!"

Gerard exclaimed.

"But I need evidence!"

Mikey banged the table. Gerard saw Frank and Bob walking out of a shop. Just then he had an idea

"Tell me something that I should make Frank do."

He said while bringing out his art folder and a pencil.

"What? Fine, he trips over his laces, I don't know."

Mikey mumbled, unconvinced. Gerard quickly drew Frankie tripping over outside the shop he was just about to walk past. He thought this might work.

"Now keep looking at Bob and Frank, and the picture."

Gerard said, putting his work in front of Mikey. Just as they both walked past the shop, Frank fell over his shoe laces and landed on the floor with a loud *Omph*.

"Oh..."

Mikey looked at Gerard with wide eyes.

"I...guess I maybe kinda believe you now...kinda."

Gerard got up and ran out the shop and went to Frankie.

"Are you okay?"

He bent down to Frank's side.

"Yeah, I'm good...stupid shoe laces."

He looked up at Gerard.

"Are you sure?"

Gerard helped him up.

"Sure."

Frank squeezed Gerard's hand and Gerard kissed the corner of his mouth. He blushed a little. Bob and Mikey had seemed to abandon them.

"Do you want to go back to my place?"

Gerard started walking with him.

"Yeah, sounds good."

They walked out the mall and got on the bus back to Gerard's house.

All the way home on the bus, Gerard kept glancing at Frankie out of the corner of his eye. This couldn't be happening, could it? Ok, so there are a few possible answers, he thought...running through this in his head

1. It's a dream...yeah, a really vivid dream! Gerard surreptitiously pinched his arm, the one furthest away from Frankie and flinched, gasping slightly and drawing his strange companion's attention away from the window, and onto him.

"You ok?"

Frank asked, seeing the pained look on Gerard's face.

"Sure."

Gerard nodded, trying to smile normally, though he had the feeling that he had failed miserably at that. Frankie grinned...so cute! Shut up Gerard, he's not real!...and turned back to the window to watch the buildings and occasional tree pass by.

2. He was hallucinating. Huh, maybe? Wait, no. Mikey saw Frank. Bob saw Frank too, so that's not it.

3. He was unconscious. That could be it...he had been knocked out on the train. Perhaps he was still out cold?

Gerard was shaken from his musings as they reached his stop.

"Come on Gee."

Frankie urged, practically skipping off the bus, Gerard trailing behind, somehow unable to stop staring at the other man's butt.

"Did I really draw it that pert?"

He mumbled to himself.

"Hmm? What you say Gee?"

Frankie asked, turning towards him. Gerard felt his cheeks start to burn, his tongue tying itself suddenly in knots as he shot wide eyes up to meet the other boy's.

"Err...I...I err..."

Gerard stumbled over his words.

"N-nothing. Doesn't matter."

His cheeks now the colour of ripe tomatoes, eyes falling towards the floor. Frankie giggled...so cute! DAMN, again NOT REAL!!

"You're so cute when you blush..."

He said, tiptoeing to press a light kiss to Gerard's lips. Well damn!...that sure felt real. Wait, what was he up to now?...his hand was sliding into Gerard's front jeans pocket, his very tight jeans, getting tighter by the minute if he were to tell the truth. Suddenly the hand was gone and Gerard experienced a tiny bit of disappointment at the loss, then Frankie was holding up Gerard's key ring, jangling the keys in front of his face, a huge grin on his lips.

"Come on cutie..."

He giggled, unlocking the door and sauntering inside like he lived there, leaving Gerard a little stunned, standing in the doorway. After about a minute or two, Frankie reappeared.

"You coming in...or are we standing on the doorstep all day?..."

He asked, a slightly concerned look on his face, before grinning wide and grabbing Gerard's arm to drag him through the door, just giving him enough time to shut it behind him.

"Shall I make us some lunch, babe?"

He asked, heading towards the kitchen before Gerard even had a chance to answer.

"Err...yeah...ok."

Gerard stuttered, following the sound of his new, unreal boyfriend into the small room. Frankie turned to look at him, a slight frown on his beautiful face...Stop it Gerard!

"Are you ok, Gee?..."

He moved toward the somewhat dazed man, real worry in his eyes.

"You're kinda pale...like paler than you normally are, I mean. Are you sick?"

He said, placing the back of his hand to Gerard's forehead. Shaking his head and swallowing the lump in his throat, Gerard tried to calm himself down.

"Oh...err...yeah, I'm fine...just err...just hungry I g-guess."

He managed, forcing a smile that he hoped didn't look too manic. Frankie tilted his head slightly to the right...stop being so damn cute!...eyes squinting a little.

"Hmmm..."

He sounded unconvinced. Then he smiled.

"Ok. You go sit down, draw a bit maybe and I'll get us some lunch, ok?"

Gerard sighed quietly in relief.

"Ok."

Then he turned and sat on the sofa, facing the open kitchen so he could observe Frank. Laying the sketch pad on his lap and picking up his best pencil, Gerard decided to test the completely unbelievable 4th possibility, that this was really actually happening.

First, he drew Frank juggling with some fruit from his fruit bowl, and looking up there he was, an apple, a pear and two mangos that Gerard didn't remember buying, grinning like an idiot...very cute idiot, oh, STOP IT!...and tossing the fruit high in the air. Then he drew him dropping them all on his head, and couldn't help but feel a little bad when it happened a moment later, Frankie blushing furiously as he stooped to pick them back up.

"You ok there babe?"

Gerard called out...babe? Where the hell did that come from?. Frank reappeared from behind the counter, blush now receding slightly and nodded, clearly still a little embarrassed. He turned to get on with lunch and Gerard chose not to mess with him any more, just watch him.

After a few minutes, Gerard had got a bit bored and decided to make Frankie do just one more thing. Leaning over his sketch pad, tongue stuck out a little in concentration, Gerard started to draw.

When he'd finished he looked over to the kitchen, just as Frankie wiped his hand across his shining brow, puffed out his red cheeks slightly then reached down to grab the hem of his t-shirt and pull it quickly up over his head. Woah! Gerard knew he'd drawn the guy, but geez that boy was hot!

He then proceeded to wipe the sweat off his glistening abs with the tee, before launching it across the room at a gaping Gerard.

Gerard ducked, and the sweaty shirt sailed over his head to land on the floor behind him. Frankie just laughed and continued with his food preparations.

Could he go further...should he? What the hell, this couldn't be real so why not? Gerard leaned back down, pencil in hand and tongue out.

This time, when he looked back at the toned young man in his kitchen, it was to see him leaning down to remove his pants, with his back to the living room...OH HOLY FUCK!! Suddenly, Gerard's own pants started to feel exceedingly tight, his face was on fire and he just really wanted a piece of that...oh, HELL NO! Not real, not real, NOT REAL!!

Frankie was walking towards him now, swaying his hips and watching Gerard through his long dark eyelashes.

"Oh Geeeee."

He called, seductively. Oh fuck!

Suddenly panicking, Gerard leapt off the sofa and dashed towards the bathroom, wide eyed and heart pounding.

"Sorry Frankie!"

He called as he went. This could not be happening! No no no no no!

Disappointed, Frankie sighed and turned back to the food.

"Oh well..."

He muttered.

"There's always later."

The bathtub wasn't exactly the most comfortable place to sleep that night, but Gerard figured whatever was going on would be over by the morning.

~Time passes~

"Geeee?...Geeeeeee?! Come on Gee...I really need to peee!...GEEE!"

Frankie hopped up and down outside the bathroom door, legs squeezed tight together, hands cupping his crotch. As the door opened a crack, a bleary eyed and nervous looking Gerard peering out, Frankie grabbed the door handle and yanked it towards himself, causing a now startled Gerard to tumble out.

Without a word, cause he was desperate, Frankie dashed inside and slammed the door behind him.

"O...K."

Gerard muttered, drawing out the letters in confusion. Then he heard the sound of peeing. Blushed wildly, eyes the size of saucers he retreated to the kitchen to get coffee. Yes, he really needed coffee right now, and painkillers. His head and back were killing...sleeping in the bathtub had not been his best idea ever. It wasn't even his best idea this week.

Searching through the kitchen drawers for the holy grail, also known as Advil, Gerard didn't hear the bathroom door as it opened. Nor did he hear as Frankie quietly tiptoed up behind him.

The first he knew of the other man's reappearance was when Frankie suddenly dug his fingertips into Gerard's ribs, tickling mercilessly. Of course, then the little tickle monster had to practically scrape Gerard off the ceiling, giggling at the shocked and stunned look on Gerard's face as he spun to face him.

"Oh Gee..."

He grinned up at him.

"Your face babe!..."

Gerard's heart was racing in his chest, he was pretty sure he was gonna die from some freaky tickle related heart attack, but hearing Frankie's giggle and seeing his wide smile, he just couldn't help himself and moments later he too was laughing like he had feathers in his underpants.

Calming down a few minutes later, Frankie turned suddenly serious.

"Gerard?"

Oh shit, he didn't call him Gee, now he felt like he was in trouble somehow.

"Hmmm?"

What was he supposed to say now?

"Did I do something wrong yesterday?"

God, puppy eyes. Gerard could never resist puppy eyes...they were his downfall...Mikey always used them...not fair!

"No, you didn't do anyth..."

"Then what?..."

Frankie interrupted, kind of looking like he was about to burst into tears.

"One minute you were watching me cook with my shirt off...and don't think I didn't notice little Gee trying to watch too..."

He said with a wink, glancing at the front of Gerard's pants.

"Next minute, you ran out of here so fast I'm surprised you didn't set fire to the carpet..."

He frowned slightly, tilting his head again...damn the cuteness of him!

"Then you sleep in the fuckin' tub. What's going on Gee?"

At least he was Gee again.

Gerard closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. What now?...he couldn't exactly tell him the truth, that he didn't exist, that he'd been a comic book character until quite recently. No...so lying it was then.

"Frankie..."

He began, a little unsure where he was going with this.

"I'm sorry, you were right yesterday, I didn't feel too good...I felt a bit queasy, then suddenly I felt like I was gonna hurl. That's why I rushed out. I sat down cause my legs felt wobbly and I must've fell asleep. I'm sorry I worried you."

Now Frank really looked concerned.

"How are you feelin' now baby?"

Awww! Shut it!...Gerard smiled at the boy in front of him, he couldn't deny that Frank was probably the cutest thing he'd seen his entire life, and if he was the result of some sort of concussion induced hallucination, so what?...perhaps he should just roll with it.

"Better..."

He nodded, taking Frank's hands in his.

"I think we should go out today."

He stated decisively.

"Really?..."

Frank grinned, clearly starting to get excited, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

"Where?"

Gerard hadn't actually thought that far.

"Hmmm...I don't know. Park, maybe?"

Frank's grin spread even further, if that was possible. So far that Gerard started to get worried that his whole head might split in two, though that image just gave him a vague idea for a new comic character, something about a snake woman who dislocated her jaw to eat the bad guys, or something like that.

"Yeah park...definitely park!"

Gerard grinned back.

"I better just go change then...I slept in these you know?"

He said, indicating his crumpled clothing.

"You want me to help you undress?"

Frankie offered seductively, wiggling his eyebrows and completely ruining the effect. Gerard swallowed, feeling his cheeks start to heat up.

"Oh...errr no, I'll only be a sec..."

He stuttered, then as he saw Frank's disappointed face drop to the floor, he gently lifted his chin back up with two fingers and placed a small chaste kiss to his lips, smiling encouragingly.

"Later though, ok?..."

Frankie's smile started to return.

"I think I just need some fresh air right now, yeah?"

Frankie nodded, grin firmly back in place as Gerard headed towards the bedroom to change.

"I'll wait right here then!"

He called after the retreating figure. That man could be weird sometimes, but Frankie was pretty sure he was falling head over heals for him. He grinned at the thought, now if he could just get his pants off...

"Come on then, shorty..."

Gerard teased as he reappeared and headed toward the front door.

"We going or not?"

Frankie groaned quietly at the nickname, but quickly grabbed Gerard's hand and followed him out, smiling up at him through his hair.

It was only a couple of blocks to the park and it was a sunny if cold day, so they decided to walk there. Hand in hand, they walked in a comfortable silence until they reached the edge of the park and Frankie saw the swings, his eyes lighting up and his steps becoming skips.

"Calm down babe...how old are you again?"

Gerard laughed as the younger male pulled his hand free, stuck his tongue out and dashed away giggling like a five year old on a sugar high. He couldn't help but role his eyes and chuckle as Frankie started swinging higher and higher.

"Push me Gee, push me..."

He called out. Gerard shook his head in slight exasperation, but smiled as he strolled over to stand behind the giggling boy as he swung, head thrown back in pure, childlike glee.

"Watch this!"

Frankie shouted a few minutes later, and as he flew forward he suddenly let go of the swing and was flying through the air, arms outstretched, huge smile on his face. Gerard gasped in alarm as he quickly realised that it wasn't going to be a perfect landing, and Frankie crashed to the ground, his left ankle giving way with a shriek of pain as he sprawled face first in the dirt. Gerard ran to his side.

"Oh my god, sweetie are you ok?"

Sweetie?? Huh, whatever!...He asked, worry heavy in his voice as he carefully helped him to turn over and sit up. There was dirt all down Frank's front and tears starting to stream down his red cheeks. Sniffing, he looked up at the man at his side, his usual grin vanished and replaced by a trembling bottom lip. He shook his head and pointed at his left foot.

"It hurts Gee."

He whimpered. Gerard sighed.

"Let's have a look."

He said, carefully rolling up the pant leg, Frankie wincing and looking away.

"Is it bad Gee? Can you see the bone?"

Gerard rolled his eyes for what felt like the hundredth time that day.

"No babe..."

Ba...whatever, I give up, I'll call him what I like...Gerard thought with a mental shrug.

"It'll be ok, it's just twisted a bit."

Gerard suddenly made a decision and scooped Frankie up into his arms bridal style, Frankie squealing and grabbing his arms tight around his boyfriend's neck.

"Geee...what the...?"

"Shut up Frankie..."

Gerard smiled down at the other boy, clinging to him like a baby monkey.

"Let's go home."

He lent down and kissed the tip of Frankie's nose, making him giggle as he started to walk back to the house.

"Ok Gee, whatever you say."

Frankie rested his head against Gerard's chest and closed his eyes, wide grin firmly back where it should be.

When Gerard reached his home, he realised that Frankie was asleep, snoring softly and drooling on his best Ghostbusters hoodie. Shaking his head fondly, he rearranged the sleeping boy in his arms and pulled out his keys to unlock the door. Once in, he quietly kicked the door closed and walked to his bedroom, trying not to jostle Frankie too much as he went up the stairs.

He lay Frankie down on the bed, on top of the covers, carefully removing his shoes and wondering if he should get some ice for that ankle. In the end, he realised that it would just wake him up, so instead, he just leaned down and placed a soft kiss to Frankie's soft lips, then went to move away.

He didn't get far, as Frankie's arms snaked quickly around his neck again and pulled him down onto the bed next to him. Gerard yelped in surprise, suddenly finding himself in a tight embrace, with Frankie still sound asleep.

Gerard thought about trying to escape...but as soon as the idea was in his head, it left again. Frankie's arms were way too comfortable to want to leave. Gerard closed his eyes...so what if this wasn't real?...who the fuck cares anyway? Smiling happily, he slowly drifted off into a deep, peaceful sleep, in the arms of the man of his dreams.

Notes