You Won't Fuck My Friends

I felt awkward, what with it being just me and Frank, I really wanted to get along with him for Bert’s sake but to be honest my personal opinion of Frank was pretty low. I had no idea what to say, and I had no idea what to do either.
Once we’d finished eating we just cleared the table in silence, I loaded the dishwasher and Frank stood there watching me awkwardly. Eventually I just took ahold of myself and did the thing which’d been bothering me.
“Frank?” I didn’t look up from what I was doing.
“Yeah?” His voice came from behind me and although I couldn’t see him I knew he was just standing watching.
“I’m really sorry about last night, the putting vodka in your drink. It wasn’t fair and it wasn’t acceptable, so I’m sorry.” There. Bert would be happy now.
“Just forget it, Gerard,” Frank sighed, “I know you were drunk at the time and had no idea what you were doing.”
“Thanks.” I muttered and turned to face him.
A smile began to spread across Frank’s face, “Although I certainly did lighten up, didn’t I?”
I forced a laugh, “Yeah that’s true.”
He laughed then hesitated, “Gerard?”
“Yes?” I raised my eyebrows.
“You got any painkillers?” He smiled sheepishly, and avoided my gaze.
I laughed for real this time, “Yeah sure, second drawer on the left.”
He walked over as I got a glass out of a cupboard and filled it with water, he accepted it and took the tablets.
“So what’s our plan?” He asked once he was finished, putting his glass into the dishwasher.
I shrugged, “Dunno.”
He laughed, “Wow, helpful.”
I laughed too, “We could just hang out I guess, we don’t really have to do anything to be honest.”
“That’s true.” Frank replied, “Do you wanna just get a movie or something?”
“Sure!” I smiled, “Sounds good!”
“Are we going out again tonight?” Frank asked, then added, “What movies do you have and we’ll just pick one of them, I can’t be fucked going out for one?”
“I don’t know if we were planning to but I’m pretty sure we could, and yeah sure thing I’ll just show you.” I pointed Frank towards a pile by the TV, did he really just ask if we were going out again tonight? Wow, maybe the alcohol did do him good.
I leant back against the kitchen counter and a minute later Frank appeared, holding up the Nightmare Before Christmas.
“What?!” He exclaimed as I smiled and shook my head at him, “It’s my favourite!”
“I like it too, don’t worry!” I laughed and took it from him, setting it down on the work surface, “We’ll watch it later.”
He followed me as I walked back through to sit at the table, I moved my sketchpad from the end of it to just in front of where I was sitting and picked up a pencil.
“What’re you doing?” He asked and I looked up at him sitting opposite me.
“I’m going to draw you.” I replied, “You don’t mind, do you?”
“Why would you wanna draw me though?” He asked, slightly confused.
“Well because you’ve got really fine features, your hair looks really interesting, I’d like to try drawing your tattoos, you’re cute as hell..” I felt my cheeks become hot as I tailed off, shut up Gerard no.
“Do you think I’m cute?” Frank asked in a low voice, his face tinged slightly pink.
“Well, not like, but sort of because-” The blood rushed to my face and I tried to avoid his gaze, good job Gerard.
“But really?” Frank stared right into my eyes, his cheeks becoming redder and I felt my stomach flip.
“No I just….” I stared down at the blank page in front of me, unable to think of a response.
“Then why did you say it?” Frank asked, his gaze drilling holes through me and I had to look at him, “Do you honestly? Do you mean it?”
“Fine then, I think you’re cute.” I stared defiantly back at him as I blushed furiously. He stared back, a small smile playing on his perfect lips.
“I think you’re cute too..” He said just as I was about to avert his gaze, instead I just continued to stare into his eyes as he blushed as much as I did, he faltered, “I mean, your eyes are amazing and I love your hair and…”
I was glad it wasn’t possible to blush any more than I was already doing, because as red as I was I could feel more blood rushing to my cheeks, “Erm, thanks..”
“No problem.” Frank whispered and the two of us sat there awkwardly, him staring at the top of my head as I looked downwards at my sketchbook, both of us blushing intensively.
“Don’t tell Bert?” I said softly after a moment, raising my head slightly to look at him, “Please?”
Frank just stared back and raised his eyebrows.
“I mean like, I think you’re cute but in a different way from how I see him,” I quickly added, “I love him, and you.. you’re just a friend to be honest. A friend who happens to be cute.”
I wasn’t helping myself, we should have just gone ahead and watched that frickin movie even if it was the middle of the morning. His blush had faded but mine was just as strong as we looked at each other across the table.
He then cast his eyes down muttered something to himself that I didn’t catch, then when I apologised for not hearing him he quickly glanced upwards, “Oh, no I get it, don’t worry I won’t tell him.”
I nodded as I took my sketchbook and pretended to study Frank’s features of which I were already pretty familiar with, I took an exaggeratedly long time to draw him so I could attempt to kill the awkward and secretly because I liked just looking at him. He looked still and peaceful and it actually helped me calm down a bit.
After I’d finished I leapt up and grabbed his wrist, he cried out in protest, “What’re you doing! Stop!”
“I,” I laughed, “Am taking you to Starbucks, and I’m paying!”
“Oh, alright then.” He laughed as I pulled him out of the apartment and let go so I could lock the door behind us, we walked off into town chatting casually. The previous conversation forgotten, well not forgotten, but just kept out of mind.
The day wasn’t too bad to be honest, Frank and I managed to get on well enough and we had a good time. He was quite happy to class us as friends, and I was too, because I liked him. I figured Bert would be quite happy with me, for making friends with his friend and not just to please him.
Bert came in at half past five later that afternoon to find me and Frank sitting on the sofa and sharing a bag of crisps as we watched the movie, we were happily chatting and laughing and Bert stood behind us for a few minutes, watching.
“Greetings.” He said, startling both of us and making us laugh.
“Hey!” I said and moved over so he could sit next to me, he did and gently gave me a long kiss.
I closed my eyes but when I opened them I could see Frank’s expression was still the same as it had been before Bert had arrived, only it seemed slightly harder and more forced.

Notes

Sorry for no updates in ages, my brother is always on the laptop and I don't have my own which sucks yeah, plus although I can write on my phone it doesn't let me upload it so I've started writing chapters then posting them when I get the chance to go on the PC. Just urgh xD
Anyway, this is just really a filler chapter tbh, still I hope you like it - and I'll try to post again soon c: