...“Wait!” I shout and he turns around, eyeing me.

“Can you… can we switch phone numbers?”

Frank’s POV

Once again, it’s exactly 10 PM. Once again I push the Starbucks door open and walk inside. Once again I am only here to see Gerard.

The strong, welcoming smell of coffee fills my nostrils and I look around for the black haired man. He hasn’t texted me since yesterday and I was too shy to, so I just figured I’d do it the old way- just watch him from my table as he does his work.

I immediately spot his pale face behind the counter, eyebrows furrowed in this inherent seriousness and concentration I don’t quite understand. I stare at him awkwardly as he pours the hot coffee into a cup when suddenly he lifts his head and our eyes connect. His lips stretch in a smile and my stomach drops. There is no going back now.

I take several steps forward and take my place in a rather short line. When it’s my turn to order Gerard leans forward against the counter, folding his arms on the surface and his stomach pressed into the edge. He eyes me up and down, a side of his lip slightly curved up. He brushes his hair back, completely revealing his face.

“So, espresso, huh?” he asks.

“No, actually, green tea please,” I reply, trying to sound confident.

“You know, I was thinking that we could spend the whole night out today if you don’t mind. You don’t have to work tomorrow, right?”

“No, it’s Saturday,”

“Well, great then. Can you wait till I finish my shift? It’s just two more hours,”

I could wait for him for the whole fucking day, of course I can wait for two hours.

“Sure,” I smile. “Can I have that espresso then?”

He nods in response, pushing away from the counter and lazily walking towards the coffee machine. I watch his back, wondering what he has in plans. I just hope he isn’t going to start talking weird again.

After about two minutes of waiting Gerard gives me my coffee, putting it right into my hand. Our fingers brush against each other and I smile gently to myself, kind of hoping he doesn’t notice my blush.

I don’t know what we are right now- I think Gerard confessed his love to me yesterday, but I’m not sure. And we held hands. And kissed. Are we boyfriends? Probably, but for some reason I’m scared to admit it to myself. I’ve been obsessing over him without my love being returned for so long that all of this seems unreal now, as if I’m in some sort of a dream.

I quietly thank him and make my way to the table in the corner where I usually sit. It’s always quiet here, and I have full view of the space behind the counter. A view of Gerard, that means.

I take a sip of my coffee and take out my phone. I open messages and open my chat with Ray.

Frank: hey

Ray: sup man, r u in starbucks again?

Frank: yeah, gerard and I are actually going out after his shift.

Ray: rly? congrats! ur in luck

Frank: hell yeah I am!

Ray reads my last message, but doesn’t reply. Whatever.

***

After about two hours of Gerard and I exchanging glances, he finally comes from behind the counter and unties his apron, taking it off.

“Wait one sec, okay?” he says to me and, without waiting for an answer, disappears behind a wooden door behind the counter. He comes out in less than a minute, holding his coat. It’s made of some thin fabric, and I don’t think it’s really to keep warm.

I smile up at him as he approaches my table and stand up.

“So.. You ready for a wild night out?” he asks jokingly, nudging my shoulder as we walk out of the Starbucks. I just laugh in reply as his arm wraps around my shoulders, pulling me closer to him so that our bodies are practically pressed together. My heart picks up it's pace but somehow I don't feel excited. I feel scared.

We walk in complete, overwhelming silence, when suddenly Gerard speaks up.
“Loving you is like shaking hands with the devil,” he utters, looking straight ahead of him.

“Yeah? And how’s that?” I ask and he finally glances down at me, his cold eyes piercing me.

“There is this burning in my chest- I feel honoured that I get to have you, just like I’d feel honoured if I made an encounter with Satan, but it burns painfully,” he says. There is a pause. “You’ll understand when I’m gone,”

What?

“I don’t think I can explain it, sorry Frank. I know you are going to understand it one day though, I promise you that,”

"Thanks?" I decide to ignore the fact that he just aknowledged me of him intending to leave me some time.

Notes

a short filler in chapter, yes feel free to kill me.