“You’re insane, Frank Iero.” Gerard grinned, grabbing the marker from inside the kitchen drawer. I pulled my sleeve up and held my arm out invitingly, a grin on my face.
“No I’m not. I love you. Why isn’t this a good idea?” I demanded. He laughed, holding my arm steady.
“Well. For one thing, if I fuck it up, you’re gonna have some fucked up tattoo for the rest of your life.” He pointed out. I shrugged.
“I can deal with that.”
“And also, what if you hate it?”
“Then you’ll draw me another one.” I smiled. He chuckled, laying my arm over his lap.
“Okay, fine. Only because you’re cute. Just stay still, alright?” he murmured as he began to draw on my arm.

The idea had come to me a few days before, while I was watching him draw. Though, being honest, the words came out of my mouth a while before the idea had really formed.
“You should totally draw me a tattoo.”
He just stared at me, an eyebrow raised in amusement.
“Don’t you think that’s a little bit ironic? Considering I hate needles?”
“Well, you love tattoos and you love me. So get drawing, art boy.”

He’d been reluctant at first – he wasn’t, after all, completely confident in his drawing skills. But I convinced him, and together, we worked out a design. It was the image of an anchor, with the letters ‘NJ’ on either side of it.
“It’s so you’ll never forget me.” He explained when he showed it to me, and I fell in love with the idea straight away.
“I could always draw a comic book strip along the length of your arm.” He grinned as he began to draw. I laughed, trying not to shake my arm too much.
“Maybe next time.” I smiled. He chuckled.
“Next time? Am I going to be drawing you any more tattoos, kiddo?” he asked with a smile.
“All of them. I’m gonna have hundreds, and you’re gonna draw all of them.” I told him.
“Maybe I’ll draw a size-accurate drawing of my dick on your arm.” He teased.
“I don’t have arms big enough.” I replied with a wink. He actually laughed out loud at that, shooting me a smile.
“You little shit.” He murmured, leaning close to my arm. The tattoo wasn’t particularly large or intricate, but he treated it like it was a masterpiece, spending way more time on it than I thought he would, and slapping my thigh every time I moved, the tickling feeling of the pen on my skin becoming too much, and making it impossible to sit still.
“You’re a child.” He scolded, but a smirk twitched at his lip.
“You already knew that, Mr. Way.” I purred. His eyes flicked up to me and he smiled.
“Shut up, kid.” He snapped in feigned annoyance, poking his tongue out at me, before turning his attention back to the drawing, his eyebrows knitting together.
I couldn’t help but watch him in his concentration, the way his eyes locked onto my skin, or the way his tongue poked out, only slightly, from the edge of his lips as he created art on my skin. It’s ironic, almost, the way I stared at him. I didn’t care any more about how the tattoo looked, because it’s not the true art. He is. He always is.

Too soon for my liking, and much too early for me to finish examining him, he pulled away and flashed me a smile.
“It’s done.” He said, rising to his feet and pressing a kiss to my forehead.
“Thank you.” I smiled.
“Don’t touch it, okay? You can look at it, but don’t touch it, or you’ll smudge it.” He warned, making his way to the kitchen. I heard the faint noise of a drawer opening, and turned my attention to the drawing. I was almost shocked at the detail, the precision of the drawing. Almost. I couldn’t be truly shocked, because I could never expect anything less than perfection from him.
He returned a few moments later with a roll of tissue, and wrapped it carefully around my arm, taping it on the end like a bandage.
“I asked Reg’. He said he can fit you in this afternoon, if you want.” He smiled. I leaned forward and pecked his lips.
“Perfect. I don’t suppose you’d actually come in with me?” I smiled. He shrugged.
“I can if you’d like me to.”
“But you’ll pass out.” I said. He pressed another kiss to my lips.
“I’d pass out all day for you.” He said. I rolled my eyes and pushed him away affectionately.
“No, it’s okay. You can go dork out over comics and shit.” I said, and he shot me a grateful smile.
“Sweetie, you’re the best.” He said, stroking my cheek. I covered his hand, smiling gently at him.
“You’re even better. You’re my favourite.” I promised. He smirked, drawing my face closer and kissing me delicately, his lips barely brushing mine.
“Yeah? Your favourite, Frankie?” he smiled, his hands holding my hips. His hands were warm, and I could feel the expanses of his hands on me.
“You know you are. You know you’re the love of my life, Gerard.” I grinned. He shrugged and kissed me again.
“If you say so.” He murmured against my mouth.
“If we didn’t have to go-“
“But we do.” He grinned, pulling away from me. I rolled my eyes.
“You’re such a tease.” I said, standing up. He wrapped an arm around my waist, his hand gliding along the curve of my ass.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He smiled as he squeezed my ass.
“Tease.” I muttered under my breath, but smiled nonetheless as he led me out to get my second tattoo – the second of many, I hoped.

My nervousness – which was undeniably prominent – had a lot less to do with the actual tattoo, than it did the prospect of me going back into Reggie’s. Sure, Gerard would be with me, and it was clear that nobody would even think of coming near me with him around, but I was still apprehensive about it.
“You know, nobody will even look at you while I’m around.” Gerard told me as he drove, his hand lightly resting on my thigh. I slid my hand into his and sighed, leaning my head back on the seat.
“But…you see my point, right? I mean, I’m not being crazy, am I?” I asked, desperate for validation. He shrugged.
“Of course I see your point. You’re absolutely right to be nervous, baby. I’m just saying that you don’t need to be.” He said, he turned to face me and gave me a gentle smile.
“I’ll always protect you.” He said firmly, bringing our hands to his lips and kissing them. I sighed, feeling a little bit better, but still twitching slightly with nerves. He kissed our joint hands again, before resting them in my lap. I turned my head towards him and watched him as he drove, the sun glinting off his sunglasses, and illuminating the wet line on his bottom lip from where he’d licked it.
“I should get your fuckin’ face tattooed on me.” I told him. He laughed, his hand squeezing mine gently.
“Yeah. Right on your ass.” He agreed.
“What? So I can sit on your face all day?”
“Don’t you do that anyway?” he smirked. I rolled my eyes, bouncing my knees up and down in anticipation. Gerard looked at me and chuckled to himself.
“You’re so cute.” He murmured.
“I know.” I sighed, leaning my head back. He smiled and turned the volume up on the radio a little bit louder, bobbing his head and singing along.
“I wish I could hate your music, but I don’t.” I sighed.
“Everybody likes Bowie, kiddo. Everybody.” He said, squeezing my hand as he sung along.
“Kiddo. As if it’s not obvious enough that I’m too young for you.” I teased. He arched an eyebrow.
“You’re too young for me?” he asked in mock surprise. I sighed dramatically.
“Sure are, Grandpa. You should be ashamed.” I said, shaking my head in disapproval. He shrugged, sighing in defeat.
“I know, I’m awful. I’m just addicted to your tight ass. Sue me.” He grinned.
I nodded solemnly.
“I will. And then I’ll use the money to buy myself a cool car so I can pick up chicks.” I grinned. He snorted.
“You can’t drive, dumbass.” He beamed. I groaned and sank down in my seat – partially because of what he’d said, and partially because I could see Reggie’s shop approaching.

Gerard told me to go into the shop first while he found a parking space, and I froze. He sighed and raised his eyebrows.
“Frankie? Seriously? I’ll be five minutes. Less.” He said, punctuating his point with an incredulous eyebrow-raise. I nodded meekly and started to walk away, when he called me back.
“I love you.” He said with a warm smile. I couldn’t help but smile back.
“Hurry up.” I replied, turning and entering the shop.
I literally shivered when I walked in the door, feeling like I was walking into an arctic blizzard. The cause of this was the old, rattling air conditioner at the side of the store that hummed loudly and annoyingly. Feeling paranoid, I let my eyes flicker around the room. Nobody was even looking at me. That was good; as much as I knew I was being ridiculous, the incident with the men before, as well as what happened with Bert, made me hyper-vigilant. Not that there was anything wrong with being extra careful, of course.
I nervously made my way over to the comics and started looking through – looking, but not actually seeing. My heart beating in my chest was too loud for me to actually concentrate.
When I felt a pair of hands on my hips, I froze. I knew I should have done something, or said something, but I couldn’t., I just froze and prayed that Gerard or Reggie would come out soon enough. Whoever it was put their lips to my ear.
“Relax.” He murmured, and I felt a rush of warmth go through me. I relaxed back into Gerard’s arms and he held me tightly, pressing kisses to my neck. I turned to look at him, and something in my expression must have given me away, because he frowned.
“Baby? What’s wrong?” He asked, brushing the side of my face. I sucked in a deep breath.
“I…I didn’t know it was you…” I stammered. He pulled me close and kissed my forehead.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve said something. I didn’t realize…I’m sorry.” He whispered. I shook my head and burrowed further into his chest.
“No, it’s okay. It’s okay.” I breathed, just happy to be near him. Gerard broke apart from me and smiled, taking my hand. Our moment was interrupted by a voice that was vaguely familiar to me.
“Gerard! Hey pal!” called someone from across the store. Gerard turned and his face dropped.
“Jones.” He said curtly. My heart pounded in my chest as I regarded the man who had, only a few months ago, tried to force me to suck his dick behind the store. This was exactly what I didn’t want.
The man barely looked at me, though, grinning brightly at Gerard.
“How’ve you been, dude? It’s been-“
“I heard you were banned from here.” Gerard cut in coldly. I froze – he knew. Jones’ eyes flicked to me, then back to Gerard.
“I…I was for a bit. Reg’ said I could come back.” He said weakly. Gerard held my hand tighter and stepped forwards.
“How about you tell me exactly why you got banned in the first place?” He growled.
“Gee-“
“Not now, Frank.” He snapped. I bit my lip and looked down. Jones looked terrified.
“I…I don’t…I don’t remember…” he stammered, but by the way his eyes kept turning onto me, I knew it was a lie. Gerard pulled me closer, even as I shrank away from him.
“Are you sure, Jones? You sure it didn’t have anything to do with my boy here?” He said, his voice cold and precise. It made me almost as nervous as it made Jones.
“Gerard, stop, please.” I whispered. I expected him to tell me to be quiet again, but this time he turned to me, his eyes surprisingly soft.
“What is it, baby?” he asked gently, as if he hadn’t been preparing to murder someone seconds before. I swallowed hard.
“You’re scaring me. Stop. It was ages ago. Just stop.” I whispered. He stammered, his eyes moving between me and Jones, who was looking at him with the same pleading expression that I was.
“Okay.” He breathed, and I gave a smile of appreciation. He turned back to Jones and glared at him.
“From now on, you don’t touch my boy, you don’t look at him, you don’t even think about looking at him. If I see you even breathe in his direction, I’ll crush your fucking windpipe.” He snarled, but there was less vigor in it now. Jones started stepping back, his eyes wide.
“I promise. I promise, Gerard.” He whimpered. It was weird to see someone being afraid of him, and it made me uneasy. Gerard pulled me into his arms and kissed me hard, much to my surprise. I didn’t even have time to react before I heard Reggie’s voice.
“Hey, Gee! You made your damn point, no fucking in my store!” he called, but there was no malice in it. Gerard pulled away and laughed, all signs of anger void from his face.
“Sorry, Reg! You know how the smell of comics turns me on.” He laughed, pulling me up to the counter. Reg held out a hand and I shook it with a polite smile.
“Although, I have to compliment you on putting Jones in his place. Fucking creep.” He said, shaking his head. Gerard shrugged.
“Can’t have them thinking I’ve gone soft.” He beamed. It hit me, then, that he’d never intended to actually hurt the man. He just wanted to scare him.
“You know ‘crush your windpipe’ has always been a favourite threat of mine.” Reggie smiled, as if Gerard had remembered his favourite song. Gerard laughed and wrapped an arm around my waist.
“Knew you’d like it.” He beamed. Reggie turned to me and gestured to the tissue on my arm.
“That it?” He asked. I nodded and pulled the tissue off. Reggie whistled and looked at Gerard appraisingly.
“If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times. There’s always work for you here, Gee.” He said. Gerard shrugged.
“It’s fine. I’ll find something.” He said with a smile that was almost sad.
“Well, the offer’s there. Anyway, I’m gonna take your boy into the back and make some art. You can go be a pussy over by the comics. I got some more Doom Patrol if you’re interested.” He smiled. Gerard leaned over the desk and pressed a gracious kiss to his mouth. Reggie frowned and wiped his lips.
“Get your gay ass over there while I shove needles into your boyfriend.”
“Fiancée.” Gerard corrected. Reggie rolled his eyes.
“Whatever.” He said, taking my hand and pulling me towards the back. I reached up and managed to kiss Gerard before I left.
“I love you.” I smiled. He beamed.
“I know.”

Reggie already had all of his equipment ready, so he started on the tattoo straight away. I caught him smiling, and couldn’t help but smile myself.
“What?” I asked. He held the needle poised as he ran over the lines Gerard had made in my skin.
“You know how much easier this makes my job? This isn’t going to take long at all.” He said, patting my hand. I nodded.
“It’s okay. I don’t mind the feeling.” I said. His eyes flickered up to me.
“That means you’re going to have a bunch of them. They’re addictive.” He said. I nodded in agreement.
“I’m already thinking about what I want next.” I admitted, and Reggie grinned.
“Well, make sure you get ‘em all done here.” He said firmly, and I nodded - not that I even knew where else I would go.
The room was silent for a few moments, filled only with the gentle buzz of the needle, and the music floating in from the next room.
“So you’re marrying him.” He said. I nodded, a smile passing over my lips.
“Yeah.” I said, wiggling my ring finger. Reggie chuckled.
“He told me he was going to propose.” He said. I raised my eyebrows, though I wasn’t really surprised. Reggie seemed to know everything.
“He did?”
“Yeah. He was real nervous about it. He said that if you said no, he’d leave you.” He said solemnly. I could almost feel my heart breaking.
“What? Why?” I asked weakly.
“Because he didn’t want you to feel like you had to stay with him. He’s in this forever, Frank, and if you’re not, then he doesn’t want to waste your time. Or his.” He said, and I felt like he was almost quoting him. I chewed my lip.
“I did say no.” I murmured. Reggie nodded.
“I know. He told me. He said that he had to try to change your mind, because he got cold feet about leaving.”
“He wouldn’t have left.” I said confidently. Reggie gave a small laugh.
“No, he wouldn’t have.” He agreed. His face turned solemn and he gave me a hard look.
“But don’t be using that as an excuse to hurt him. He’s kind, and he loves you, but he’s not an idiot. If he’s being taken for a ride, he’ll leave.”
“I don’t think I’d mind if Frank took me for a ride.” Gerard interrupted. Both Reggie and I started at the sound of his voice, and I had to quickly check that my tattoo hadn’t been ruined (which it hadn’t).
“I didn’t hear you come in.” I beamed. Gerard leaned against the door and looked at Reggie.
“Stop lecturing him. He’s not going to hurt me.” Gerard said, rolling his eyes. He spoke with such confidence and trust in me that it almost hurt to hear. I had no idea if I’d hurt him or not. I probably would, going by my track record.
“Not unless he asks me to.” I said, wiggling my eyebrows.
“I most definitely will ask you to.” Gerard purred, and his voice sent a rush down to my crotch.
“Jesus, guys! I’m trying to work!” Reggie snapped. I giggled and looked at Gerard, earning myself a wink. I bit my lip to hide my laughter. Gerard shot a cautious look at Reggie, before turning back to me and licking his lips in an overly sexualized way that made me bite down harder on my own lip. He brought his hand to his face and motioned giving a blowjob. I lost it at that. I laughed, and Reggie moved the needle away in frustration.
“Gerard! Get your ass out of here!” he snapped, throwing a box of latex gloves at him. Gerard dodged it and leaned against the doorframe.
“But I’m bored.” He whined. Reggie chuckled.
“Why don’t you ask Jones to give you a blowjob?” he offered. I tensed, and Reggie rubbed my arm soothingly.
“Ew. I’m not that bored.” Gerard said, wrinkling his nose. Reggie ignored him and turned back to my tattoo. A few moments later, Gerard sighed and walked back out of the room. Reggie chuckled under his breath.
“He’s such a slut.” He murmured with a smirk. I rolled my eyes.
“Don’t I know it.” I said, a smile stretching across my lips.
“Not that you mind.” Reggie said, giving me a pointed look. I snorted.
“No. I don’t think I mind at all.” I agreed.

We paid for the tattoo and Gerard’s comics, with promises we’d be back soon, and then Gerard led me back out to his car, his arm tightly around my waist as we passed a group of guys near the door.
“Is everyone in there gay?” I asked. Gerard shrugged.
“No. But they’ll ask you to suck them off anyway. I don’t know how Reg’ attracts all these weird dudes.” He frowned.
“Like you?” I teased, he slapped my arm teasingly and I hissed in pain. He widened his eyes.
“Oh, sorry!” he said, giving me an impish smile. I pouted as I slid into the car, turning pointedly away from him.
“That hurt.” I said. He giggled.
“I’m sorry baby. It looks amazing though.” He said. I smiled down at it. I couldn’t even deny it – it looked so, so cool.
“If you do say so yourself.” I said. He chuckled and held my hand as he pulled out onto the road.
“Of course.” He said, rubbing the back of my hand with his thumb. I chewed my lip and leaned back in the seat. My arm still throbbed from where he’d hit it, but I barely thought of that. The sentimentality of the tattoo hit me all at once. Not only had he drawn it, and so I would have a part of him on me forever, but the actual image was very striking. The anchor – holding me down to this place. Holding me to him. It was more final than any ring could ever be.
“I can’t wait to be your husband.” I grinned. He turned to look at me and smiled fondly, biting his lip. I loved it when he looked at me like this. Like I was the most goddamn beautiful thing he’d ever seen in his life. He looked at me like it was all he ever wanted to do. He let out a small laugh that sounded almost nervous to my ears.
“I was under the assumption that you were the wife.” He said. I knew it wasn’t what he wanted to say, but I knew what he meant all the same.
“I love you too.” I said, and he gave me the sort of smile that people saved for the people that understood them better than they understood themselves.

Notes

Hello loves! Once again - not dead! I was on vacation for a week and found myself quite without a laptop. But I landed this morning, and finishing this was the first thing I did :)

Also - thank you to everyone that added/followed me on my various social networks! It's been great talking to you and getting to know you. It's also been kind of nice to hear how invested a lot of you are in the story, and that you all think I'm a lot cooler than I actually am (I'm a dork I promise).

Final note - I've already drafted the epilogue of the story. I did it all at once at 2am and I cried. Take from that what you will.