When Frank and Gerard pull into the clustered parking lot of Indigo, they suddenly realize exactly what’s going on.

They’re having dinner, together.

Like a date.

But, trying not to make the situation itself anymore awkward, they brush off the initiated accidental date-age. Gerard opens the door for Frank, and realizes his action and cringes a little inside, because he absolutely positive Frank is as straight as his hair after he irons it. But, Frank just smiles, beams actually, and walks right ahead familiar with the surroundings, and enjoying this not-date-date a bit much more than he thought he could.

“So,” Gerard states after a waitress seats them into a small table dimly lit by the passing cars in the open window area “What kind of food do they have here?”

Frank’s cheeks go a little red, “Vegan. Vegetarian.” he trails off at the last word, expecting Gerard to get up and refuse to eat here, but instead is answered with an ‘Awesome’, and Gerard shuffling to the menu by the pepper shaker.

“I wouldn't think you would like vegan food?” Franks states quietly at the table, picking at the grains he can’t reach deep within the wood. Gerard squishes his eyebrows together, and rests his hand atop his glass of water, playing with the lemon wedge.

“I’m really used to it.” he assures Frank, “My ex, was really into the stuff, and I don't like meat all that much.” When Gerard says ex, he doesnt look in Frank’s eyes, but plays with his napkin instead.

Frank exhaling, murmurs “Was she pretty?” and then the waiter comes over, saving him from the awkward situation he could have started.

“Well Hi There!” She says, voice shrill and stinging both men’s ears, “How you doin hon? Anything you boys picked out yet?” she, or ‘Veronica’, states cocking her hip towards Frank, winking at him.

Gerard cleared his throat, taking his hand off his glass, and instead waves it around animatedly as he orders, “I’d like a Fall Salad, with pumpkin Dressing, and pecans on top please?” The waitress nods, barely acknowledging him, but instead focusing all her attention on poor Frank.

“And how bout you Sweetie?” she smiles widely, so wide that you can see her fillings, and her lipstick smudges on her bleached teeth.

“Uh, I’ll get the Chicken Soup, in the bread bowl.” He says to her not looking her in the eyes, but gazes at the cars flying by on the strip. She just scoffs, jots it down and struts off, apparently irritated with Frank’s actions. The men both sit in silence for a good 5 minutes, shifting in the tall wooden chairs, gazing around the poorly lit room and it’s hokey decorations.

“He was nothing special.” Gerard makes sure to stress the ‘he’ staring straight into Frank’s wide gold eyes. Frank just blinks a few times, stunned. Gerard was gay?

Closing his eyes momentarily, Frank rubbed his forehead. “Thanks for making me actually, um, okay looking in your painting. I appreciate it.”

Gerard is taken aback by the remark. Does Frank not know he’s stunning? Is that why he had the scars?

“Frank,” He breathes, taking the younger boys chin in his fingertips “You are beautiful.” Frank rests his face into Gerard’s hand and closes his eyes. He squeezes them, and Gerard starts to feel him quake a bit under his touch, thinking it out of disgust, until a small tear pushes it’s way through Frank’s tight eyelids.

“Hey, shh.” Gerard coos, getting out of his seat and going to Frank’s. “Hey, it’s okay.” He rubs Frank’s back, and the boy wraps his arms around Gerard and starts to sob violently into his jean jacket. “We, are going back to my place.” Gerard starts to help Frank get up, but the boy just wraps his legs around Gerard, clinging even tighter. They start to exit the restaurant, onlookers giving them odd looks, but Gee ignores them, and sets Frank into the passenger seat of the car when they reach it. Frank immediately slumps into it, curling up and making small whimpering noises until Gerard gets into the drivers seat.

Gerard somehow makes it home.

~

Once Gerard is able to get Frank out of the car, who is still crying violently and groping at Gerard to not let him go, so he doesn't. Instead he takes Frank inside and onto the couch, where he immediately curls up into the older boy’s lap. “G-Gerard?” He stutters after a while, now on

ly whimpering occasionally.

“Hmm?”

Frank flips around so he can peer up at the raven haired gentlemen. “Thanks.” he says, trying to smile, but instead making his eyes droop, and mouth turn up into a sad smirk.

Gerard starts to mindlessly stroke Frankie’s jaw. “So,” he brushes off the thanks, “Wanna talk about it?” Frank just stares, and shakes his head ‘No’, he definitly doesnt want to talk about it. He wants Gerard to kiss him- wait stop there.

He want’s Gerard to kiss him?

Yes, he decides. He want’s Gerard to cup his face and brush his soft thing lips against Frank’s own pink ones and make him feel better about himself.

“No.” Frank sits up. “I want to try something else.” Gerard looks at him questioningly, until Frank starts to sit onto Gerard’s lap, leaning in close until their foreheads are touching. “I want to try this.” he whispers to Gee.

Gerard starts to register what hes doing, and so he takes his hand, and places it gently onto Frank’s own jawbone, taking the small face into his grasp and tilting it towards his own. Lips crashing against each other. There is no sparks, there is no fireworks, but there is something.

There is hope.

Frank takes this as a sign to continue, and pushes his face closer to Gerard’s, but instead of lips, he is met with a mass of cinnamon scented hair, and the warm sensation of soft plump lips down his throat onto his collar bone. He gasps a little, and even more when fingers brush against the soft skin of his shirt hem.

“May I?” Gerard asks, peering up at the young boy, who only nods. Gerard gently removes the green cotton shirt off of the boy, trailing his fingertips along the inked skin.

‘You.” Gerard breathes, and starts to kiss along Frank’s shoulder,”Are.” moving along the his arm, kissing the inside of Frank’s elbow “So.” Gee nuzzles into Frank’s side, “Ravishing.” he finishes, staring up at the delicate being cracking a small sleepy smile.

Frank looks sadly into Gerard’s dark green eyes, and the man just starts to wisp his fingertips along Frankie’s shoulder blades, gossamer to the touch. “This,” he uses his right hand to grasp the side of Frank’s small arm, “You are a character.”

“Your skin,” he says softly into Franks neck,ghosting his lips there ‘White at ivory.” Frank leans into Gerard’s touch, and wraps his arms around him. “Your hair, like chocolate, tempting me.” the older boy says as he rests his chin atop Frank’s head. “Your lips,” pulling away Gerard tilts his head sideways, “Are of the softest rose petals.” reaching up he takes his fingers lightly over the small bowtie shaped plumpness. ‘And your eyes,” he breathes “Of such innocence.”

Frank leans in, connecting their lips once again.

“Frank, look at me.” The small boy does as he's told, grasping onto the armrest of the couch. “Frank, you are my poison.” Gerard whispers into the night, tucking Frank tightly into his chest.

And in a warm embrace, the night air lingers comfortably around the boys as they close their eyes, because something good lingers in the hot air.

Hope.

Notes

I cried while writing this.

Probably too fluffy for some of y'all.