The Sharpest Lives

“Good morning birthday boy.” Frank awoke Gerard with a soft kiss to the lips. Gerard groaned and tried to roll over and back to sleep.
“Ah, ah, ah. No sleepy. Time to get up.” Frank cooed.
“Ughhhhh…” Gerard grunted into the pillow. Frank rubbed his back, giggling at his childishness. “Fine.” He said, sitting up and rubbing at his eyes.
“It’s your birthday, it’s your birthday!” Frank said in a sing song voice, bounding up and down on the bed. Gerard laughed despite his exhaustion and allowed Frank to tease him.
“Yep. That it is.” He said simply. Frank laughed and hopped off the bed, with far too much energy at this ungodly hour in Gerard’s opinion.
“Made you breakfast.” Frank said, putting his hand out for Gerard to grab. He pulled him off the bed and led him to the kitchen. The air smelled like coffee and toast, maybe bacon?
“Smells really good, Frankie…” Gerard said, still groggy. Frank sat him at the chair to the kitchen table. The table that they rarely used was set up with a plate of pancakes, toast, pot of coffee, eggs and bacon.
“Is this real?” Gerard asked, picking up a piece of bacon.
“Sure is. Only the best on your birthday.” Frank said, smiling.
“You spoil me, you know.” Gerard giggled at his boyfriend, plating his food. “Oh my god and scrambled eggs, too. You know me so well.” He remarked, taking a spoonful.
Frank watched him eat, making a plate of his own – minus the bacon and eggs, and saw Gerard make a face when he bit into the bacon.
“So salty.” He laughed. “Guess I got used to the fake stuff.”
“It’s better for you!” Frank exclaimed.
“True.” Gerard agreed, eating the rest of the too-salty bacon without any complaint.

“I’m too full to go to work now.” Gerard said as he slowly grabbed his shirt from the dresser.
“But you gotta.” Frank said, pulling on his pants.
“Can’t we just stay home? It’s my birthday.” Gerard whined, flopping backwards on the bed, shirt in hand.
“Nope. I gotta work, too. You know that. Plus it’s your birthday; you never know what surprises might be waiting for you there.” Frank winked at Gerard.
“Yeah?” Gerard sat up and cocked an eyebrow at Frank who was now sitting next to him, pulling on his shoes. Frank shrugged with a smirk on his face.
Gerard continued to pull his shirt over his head and ran his fingers through his hair, out of his face. Frank stared at him as he fingered his hair.
“God, love that hair. So sexy. I just want to pull on it.” Frank said, eyes dark and biting his lip.
“Why don’t you?” Gerard responded slyly.
“Ugh, we have to go to work, don’t tease me like that.” Frank sighed, adjusting himself in his pants. Gerard giggled and got up from the bed, now fully clothed and ready for work.
Frank drove him there, holding his hand on the way. “Here, this is for you. Don’t open it until you get in the building.” Frank said, holding out a folded piece of paper.
“What?” Gerard asked, confused.
“Trust me.” Frank said, smiling at him. “I love you, have a good day, baby.” He kissed him on the cheek and Gerard opened the door, sliding out and waving to Frank.
Gerard made his way into his office, piece of paper in hand. He opened it immediately when the door was shut. He unfolded the small paper, revealing Frank’s handwriting.
Happy Birthday!
This is a day full of surprises, so hang on tight and your first surprise will be here soon!
I love you!!
-xoxoF

Gerard blushed, knowing Frank must have spent a ton of time setting this up. He sat at his desk, wondering when the net thing would arrive. Shit, would he even realize it? What if he didn’t follow them right? He tried to push the thoughts out of his head and just focused on how happy Frank made him. God, he was fucking perfect.

“Everything set up?” Frank texted Lindsey once he got into the record store.
“Yup. Jamia is going to cover for me at lunch.” She responded.
“You’re the best. :)” He replied.

“We still good for today?” Frank now texted Mikey.
“Yeah I’m good. Will be there at 5.” He responded.
“Thanks, Mikes. :)” Frank replied. Everything was falling into place.

It was around 10AM when there was a knock on Gerard’s office door. He was pretty engrossed in his work at this point, and had nearly forgotten about the Frank’s plans. The person knocked again and he was pulled from his trance.
“Come in.” He yelled.
“Gerard Way?” The person asked, holding a large bouquet of flowers and two balloons.
Gerard felt his face blush and he stood from his desk. “Uh, yeah...” He replied, smiling.
“Happy birthday!” The delivery man said as he handed Gerard the flowers carefully. They were white lilies, his favorite, with sprigs of red roses mixed in. Gerard was a sucker for romantic gestures like this; flowers aren’t just for girls, you know. There were two balloons tied to the vase, one red and one white. Gerard plucked the card off of the bouquet and opened it to reveal more of Frank’s handwriting.
Roses are red
Violets are blue
I suck at poems
But I love you
- xoxoF

Gerard giggled at the adorable poem, he could imagine Frank standing at the counter in the florist, trying to figure out what to write and eventually just saying fuck it. He set the vase down on his desk and adjusted some of the flowers so they were arranged just perfectly. He inhaled the scent and smiled to himself. He quickly got absorbed back into his work, but glanced up at the arrangement every so often, feeling his heart flutter.

Around noon, he heard another knock on the door. This time he didn’t have a chance to see who it was before they opened up and came in.
“Happy Birthday!” She yelled, enthusiastically. It was Lindsey, holding two bags of food and drinks.
“What are you doing here?” Gerard smiled and got up from his desk, grabbing the bags from her hands before she dropped them.
“I thought we’d have a birthday lunch together.” She declared, setting the drinks down and sitting at the chair opposite his desk.
“Frank put you up to this?” He asked, knowingly.
“My lips are sealed, Gee.” She said cunningly.
She pulled out two containers full of food from Gerard’s favorite restaurant in the area, a small restaurant that had the best Italian food. She brought him exactly what he would order – Chicken Picante with handmade spaghetti.
The two chatted for a while as they ate, Lindsey remarking at the gorgeous flowers he had received earlier. It was around 1 when Lindsey said she had to get back to work before Jamia had an aneurysm trying to cover for her. She handed him a folded piece of paper, like the one he received that morning, before kissing him on the cheek and heading out the door.
He opened it up instantly, revealing Frank’s handwriting, again.


I hope you enjoyed your lunch, baby.
I didn’t even have to bribe Lindsey, she said she’d do anything for a free lunch. Good to know for the future in case we need an alibi. ;)

- xoxoF

Gerard laughed, now imagining what they could ever need an alibi for, especially knowing that Lindsey would make a terrible one – she was all sweeping gossip and she would spill all their secrets before she even realized she was doing it. He sat back in his chair, ready more for a nap than the second half of his work day.
He eventually did get back to work, though, powering through his day before leaving the office promptly at 5PM. He expected to see Frank waiting for him out front, but he wasn’t there. Mikey’s car was waiting for him at the curb, blasting black Sabbath – nothing uncommon.
“Mikes?” Gerard asked, opening the passenger door.
“Hey, Gee. Get in.” He said, motioning for him to sit. Gerard complied, and sat in the passenger seat, giving Mikey a confused look.
“I have been given specific instructions to give you absolutely no information. So don’t try it.” Mikey said stoically, pulling away from the building.
“Aww, come on Mikey, just tell me. Tell me where we’re going?” He teased him.
“Nope.” He shook his head. “It’s nice to see you showing your arms again, I don’t think they’ve seen the sunlight in years.” Mikey joked, changing the subject and expression still neutral.
“Ha-ha.” Gerard mocked, sarcasm dripping from his mouth. “But yeah, it does feel nice.”
“I’m proud of you, you know.” Mikey remarked, now glancing over at Gerard in between looking at the road in front of him. Gerard could see that flash of compassion in Mikey’s eyes that he had grown to know in the past few months and it made him feel safe.
Gerard just beamed, proud of himself, too. “Thanks, Mikey.”
Mikey pulled up to the curb outside of Cole’s, the bar where Gerard met Frank.
“Wanna have a drink with me?” Mikey asked, like Gerard was in any position to say no – not that he would.
“Definitely.” He settled on.
Mikey and Gerard walked in the bar which was really, very empty. It was a Tuesday afternoon, after all.
“What can I get you?” The bartender asked.
“Beer.” Mikey said, pulling out his phone and a pill bottle.
“Same, please.” Gerard responded, smiling politely.
“Rude.” He remarked to Mikey when the bartender turned around to get their drinks. Mikey just rolled his eyes and popped what was, Gerard assumed, to be an asprin.

“I gotta go, man.” Frank said, quickly packing his things up in the record store. It was 5:00 and Mikey should just be getting Gerard now. Bob was late to work, which would have been a problem had Mikey not been getting Gerard for him.
“Alright, see ya.” Bob remarked, waving at Frank who was now rushing out the door.
Frank walked to his car hurriedly. He still had to get home and get changed before meeting Gerard. Lindsey had texted Frank after getting back to work to let him know everything went well, and that Gerard enjoyed his lunch. Apparently the flowers were beautiful, and Gerard said he had been very surprised when they arrived.
Frank got to the apartment in record time, running up to the door and unlocking it. He changed into the pants he knew Gerard loved on him, and a black button up shirt. He paid special attention to his hair, making sure it looked at least somewhat put together, and not like he just rolled out of bed. He took a moment to pick up the small wrapped box that was Gerard’s gift and studied it. God, Frank was nervous. It’s not like he was proposing or anything, but this gift was special, and he was both excited and terrified about giving it to him.
Frank placed candles around the bedroom for when they returned from dinner, ensuring that everything was set up perfectly for when he presented Gerard with his gift. He glanced at the time and knew he had to get going if he wanted to beat Gerard and Mikey there. Frank took a deep breath and pocketed the small box before walking out the door.

“Time’s it?” Mikey asked Gerard in between sips of his now third beer.
“Uh, 6:15.” He replied, looking at his phone.
“Shit we gotta go.” Mikey said, waving for the bartender to bring them the bill.
“Where we goin?” Gerard asked, not really expecting an answer. Mikey didn’t give him one. Gerard asked two more times during the short walk to the car, and once again on the drive to…wherever they were going.
“Oh my god. Shut. Up.” Mikey finally said, trying not to laugh.
“But I’m so impatient, Mikes!” Gerard whined.
“How are you the older brother?” He joked, now pulling into a small parking lot off of a busy street in a part of the city he rarely visited. Gerard thought he recognized the parking lot, but couldn’t place it. He knew he had been here before; something about it was so familiar yet so hazy.
He looked around, taking in his surroundings once he got out of the car. He looked at the buildings next to him but nothing seemed to ring a bell. He looked at the busy street ahead of him, through the parked cars. There was a figure dressed in black, standing with its hands in its pockets and leaning up against a street lamp. God, that street lamp…he’s seen it before. Gerard tried to focus on the shadow leaning there, but he was just too far away. As Mikey followed his heels, he darted his eyes left and right to try and cross the street. He accidentally stepped out in front of a car trying to pull away and got flipped off. He was embarrassed, slightly, until he noticed the leaning shadow was laughing.
“Frank?” Gerard mumbled to himself. It came back to him, the night he almost got himself hit by a car when he had met Frank.
It was Frank leaning up against the lamppost. The parking lot…it was the lot they parked in the night they met, when Gerard was kind-of sorta more drunk than he let on and Frank took him for a burger. The café looked different in the daytime, and there was a lot more traffic. But, this was unmistakably it.
He dashed across the street as soon as the traffic would allow it and found himself in front of his boyfriend, smiling up at him, face still red and breathless from laughing.
“Frankie!” Gerard exclaimed and pulled him into a hug.
“Happy Birthday, baby.” Frank said into Gerard’s chest as he embraced him. Mikey finally caught up to Gerard and nodded at Frank.
“Thanks, Mikey. I really appreciate it.” Frank said, now pulling away from Gerard, but entangling their fingers together.
“You got it. Have fun, kids.” Mikey said, throwing Gerard a grin before heading back to his car. Gerard and Frank rolled their eyes in unison.
“Ready?” Frank asked, leading Gerard inside.
“Always.” Gerard replied.

When they walked in, the hostess immediately nodded to Frank knowingly, and led them to the same table they sat at when they came here together for the first time. Both men sat in the same spots, and ordered the same things. It was almost five months later, but it felt like a lifetime ago. So much had happened in the time between them meeting and the present. Gerard almost wanted to cry with how overwhelmed he felt. It wasn’t a bad overwhelming, but a loving type of overwhelming. He felt adored, and cared for. And in return he adored and cared for Frank; he wouldn’t know what to do with a life that didn’t involve Frank and he couldn’t imagine his life without him anymore. His future always included him in some way, and it both scared and thrilled him.
Their dinner was filled with mostly contented silence and lustful gazes. Gerard was contemplating his future with Frank and how incredible he made him feel, while Frank contemplated how beautiful Gerard looked right now. They held hands across the table, shuffled feet against each other’s legs, and giggled like teenagers throughout. Frank was almost sad it had to end when they left and headed home – almost.

“Today was incredible, Frank.” Gerard remarked, walking in the door of Frank’s apartment.
“You deserved a birthday full of surprises.” He replied, smiling at Gerard and leading him to their bedroom. It was now nearly 10PM, and they were both tired and ready to watch bad TV in bed. There was just one little thing Frank needed to do, first.
Frank opened the door to the bedroom, and revealed plenty of candles on top of every available surface. Gerard blushed and sat on the bed, watching Frank light each one and then turn the lights out. The room glowed beautifully, lighting up every soft feature of Frank’s face as he sat down on the bed with Gerard.
“You made my birthday perfect, Frank.” Gerard said, taking Frank’s hand in his as he sat across from him, cross legged.
“I hope so.” Frank said, his expression nervous and his heart pounding in his chest. “I have…one last thing for you.”
“Yeah?” Gerard questioned.
“Well, I wanted to show you how much I love you, and I know we have only been together for a little under five months, but I know my future is with you, and I wanted to promise you that.” Frank pulled the small box from his pocket. He handed it to Gerard who opened it slowly, revealing two small silver bands.
“Frankie?” Gerard asked, surprised.
“I’m not proposing after only five months, don’t worry.” He laughed. “But, I wanted to promise you that no matter what, I’m in this forever. I’m not leaving you, and one day, if you’ll have me, we’ll get married and grow old together. We’ll fight like couples do, and laugh and cry and spend our lives eternally happy.” Frank exhaled. “These are promise rings, one for you and one for me. Both are engraved with our names, and we can wear them on our right hands.” He said. “If you want to, of course.”
Frank proceeded to take them out of the box for Gerard, and slipped one on his right ring finger, smiling down at it. It shone brightly against his dark tattoos, making it obvious that he belonged only to Gerard. The metal felt cool against his skin, a permanent reminder of where his heart resided. He held the second ring in his hand as he watched Gerard’s expression. Frank bit his lip, waiting, impatiently.
“You want to marry me one day?” Gerard asked.
“I’d marry you today if you asked. I probably would have married you the night we met.” Frank answered honestly, laughing.
“I love you.” Gerard said, grabbing Frank’s hand holding the ring, and pushing it on his right ring finger. “I promise, I will be marrying you one day.” Gerard said before pushing Frank down on his back, lying flat on the bed. He kissed him deeply, tangling their right hands together, rings clacking against each other.
Frank pulled away for a second in between mouthing at Gerard’s lips. “Happy birthday, Gee.” He whispered before smashing his lips back against Gerard’s.

Notes

I am SO sorry for this update taking as long as it did. I lost someone very important to me by suicide recently and it has made both writing this story and updating it difficult. Thank you all so much for your patience.