Gerard and Frank Discover the Secrets of the Universe

I tap my foot eagerly outside of the theatre room. I went in fifteen minutes ago to audition for Aristotle, and Frank went in right after me to audition for Dante. Based on the Boards reactions, I probably got the part.

My head turns to the right when the doorknob turns, and out comes Frank. I stand up, silently asking how he did. "I think I got the part!" He smiles, his face practically shining with glee. "I think so too!" I tell him, pulling him into a half-hug.

"Wanna go to Burgharts to eat? You can come over to mine if you want, too." He nods eagerly, and I pick up our backpacks, handing his to him and pulling mine onto my back. We begin walking to the door, and my mind is practically screaming at me to hold his hand! HOLD HIS HAND!

I toss the thought out the window and pull the door open for him. He thanks me, and my hand twitches in the absence of his. "Nice car." He tells me when he see's my bright red Mustang. "Thanks," I tell him. Most of our conversations so far have been compliments, then thanks.

I pull the keys out of the back pocket of my tight jeans, opening the door and putting the keys in the slot. He buckles his belt up, and I pull out of the parking lot. I launch into the route to Burgharts that I've engraved into my mind.

"Do actually know the plotline of the play? I've never read the book." Frank asks, and I shake my head. "We can ask my brother, Mikey. He was the blonde." I say. "I thought you two looked alike." We both laugh, and chills go down my spine. God, he's perfect.

"Y'know that one waitress at Burgharts?" Frank says.

"The one with the penciled on eyebrows?"

"Yes! One time I was eating there with my mom, and she came back with our check and all, like normal. Then she slammed the folder down on the table, smiles real weird at me, and asked - and I quote - "And how will you be paying tonight? Cash or debit?"

I break out in laughter, nearly jerking the steering wheel so that the car could've gone off the road. "They don't have a card reader, right?" Frank nods, still in hysterics. "I bet she's gonna be our waitress again. Whenever I go there, she's there." I pull into the parking lot and rush over to Franks side, opening the door and helping him out. "Chivalry… I like it." He jokes, and doesn't let go of my hand. I repeat, he is holding my hand!

We walk into the store, earning a glare from some old homophobic couple. I take a seat in my favorite booth, him sitting across from me. He reads through the menu with his perfect eyes and his perfect hands while I stare blankly at him. The waitress (with the Harry Potter glasses and a messy bun) comes to take our orders. I tell her a cheeseburger with fries, while Frank asks for a veggie burger. I look at him with questioning eyes, and he answers "I'm a vegetarian."

We make casual conversation, getting to know each other, while Miss Potter gets our food ready. I learn that his mother and father are very conservative Christians, he plays guitar and hopes to be in a band one day, and that he is-

"Gay. Yes. I'm gay." I can't help but smile, my eyes widening. I see Miss Potter carrying our plates to us. "Wow. Me - Thank you - me too. Though I'm pretty out, so you might have already known?" Frank nods, and I purse my lips.

"So what made you go vegetarian?" I ask, taking a bite of my burger. "Don't laugh when I say this." I try to stifle the giggle that's already coming. "Spite. My parents told me that I would be a good father, when I was helping my dad out with grilling. I said that I would never grill again. They asked why. I came up with that excuse as quick as I could."

I smile, taking another bite. He really is adorable. "Hold on - tilt your head up." I do as he says. "Yep. I missed a spot with my concealer. I thought so." He reaches over and runs his finger along my cheekbone, probably smoothing out some lumps. I dunno. I know nothing about makeup.

Ten minutes later, I look at the receipt that Miss Potter gave us. 17 dollars isn't bad. My hand fumbles with my wallet, and when I look up Frank is studying the receipt. "I can pay you back tomorrow." I stop him, pulling out a 10, 5, and two ones. I also set a 5 on the folder as a tip. "I'll pay. If you have money with you next time, I'll consider it. But I can't guarantee."

He nods, standing up to leave. I follow suit, and we drive to my house in silence.

- - -

I pull open the door, greeted with Mikey lounging on the couch, some sitcom on the TV. "Hey, Mikes. You remember Frank, right?" He nods, his brows furrowed. "Where are your bathrooms?" Frank asks, and I point him to the room by the laundry room.

Mikey walks over to me, grabbing my arm and dragging me to the hallway. "What?" I ask, but he shushes me. He looks around before talking. "Y'know why I don't like Frank?" He asks. In all honesty, I hadn't noticed that he didn't like him until now. "Why?"

"'Cause you're so obviously gay for each other! The smiling, the blushing, the fucking flirting! Once you buck up and ask him out, I'll warm up to him!" Oh. "Was I that obvious?" Mikey nods urgently, hearing the toilet flush.

"Listen. I hate Pete for the same reason. By the end of the month, we both ask out our guys and tell each other about the dates. Deal?" I hold out my hand, and we shake on it.

We step out of the hallway just as the water turns off. I try to pretend like I was talking with Mikey before looking up at Frank, smiling. "Wanna go down to my room? I think you'd like it." I ask, thinking of a movie to watch together. "Sure."

I lead him down the stairs and to the right. My room is in the basement on my request, so I could listen to my music loud and no one would care. I suppose we could use the distance to do some... other things, though. I pull open the door and show Frank in, closing and locking it behind me. No particular reason, just a habit I've grown into.

"Sweet," He comments, taking a seat on my bed. "My parents wouldn't let me get a TV in my room, which kind of sucks but I've gotten over it." I nod, trying to empathize with him. "Wanna watch a movie? I have Netflix." He nods, and I lean on the headboard next to him.

I pick up the remote from my nightstand, opening Netflix and scrolling to the horror section by default. "You have good taste in movies." He smiles at me. I chuckle, and scroll to The Mummy. "Nah, I watched that one a week ago. Is the Exorcist on here?"

The cursor lands on The Exorcist, and I start the movie. "I love this one, but I haven't had the time to watch it lately." "Yeah, I get that. Teachers are really pushing the limit with homework." "I know, right?"

We stay a good foot and a half apart for most of the movie, though when we get to the actual exorcist, I feel Frank's hand clutching onto my shirt. His head buries in my shoulder, and chills go down my spine. It takes literally all my willpower to not kiss his scalp, so I just reach my hand to his shoulder and start comforting him.

Just a second later, I practically break and scream fuck it to myself. I kiss his scalp, and lean my head on his. His hair smells like heaven, and it's so fucking soft! His grasp on my sleeve lessens, and I feel his hand wrap around my arm. I let out a small sigh, and look down at Frankie's bright eyes. His gaze drifts up to mine, and I give him a small smile. He returns it, then goes back to watching the movie. I end up falling asleep right next to him.

- - -

"Gee?" Franks small voice wakes me from my nap, and when I open my eyes I see him turning Netlix off. "The movie's over, wanna do anything now?" I sit up, running a hand through my bed-head. I hear him giggle, and when I look to him, he's looking at me with his hand over his mouth, a blush peeking out of his hands.

"What's so funny?" I ask. He shakes his head, scooting closer to me. "Nothin'. You're just really pretty." My eyes go wide, and his hand reaches up, stopping just shy of my hair. "Can I?" I nod, and his hand runs through my messy hair. My eyes close, and I lean my head into his touch. "Mmm..." I purr, a soft smile showing on my face.

"Wow." He whispers, his hand scratching at my scalp. I frown at him when he pulls away, sticking my bottom lip out in a pout. "No." He answers simply, standing up. "Today was fun, we should do this again. But I should be getting home now, could you drive me?"

"Yeah, sure. Could you direct me?" He nods, and I lead him out of my room, getting stopped by my parents when they see Frank. "Who is this?" My mother asks, shaking hands with Frank. "Mom, this is Frank. Frank, this is my mother." Frank smiles at her, saying "Hi, Mrs. Way. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, Frank." She smiles, turning back to the oven. "I'm just taking him home, I'll be back in less than 20 minutes." I tell her.

Frank and I get in the car, and I pull out of the drive way and start taking Franks directions. "Take a left, and go on main until 167th street." I do as he says, and we drive home in silence, until-

"Does Mikey like me?" He asks, staring at the dashboard. "It's complicated. He's fine with you, as long as - never mind. I'll explain later. Where do I turn now?" He tells me to take a left, and then points his house out. I park on the road outside of his house, opening the door for him like before.

"Should I come inside?" I ask. "No, I think I should prepare you before you meet my parents." I nod, and his hand finds mine until we get to the door. Frank looks around at the windows before standing on his toes and kissing my cheek. He steps inside, closing the door behind him and leaving me dumbfounded.

He kissed my cheek. I was lucky enough for Frank Iero to touch his lips to my cheeks. He felt safe enough to kiss my cheek. I know I'm over-reacting but holy shit! I'm one step closer to kissing his lips! We might do it on the date I need to ask him on! Life is looking good.

Notes

yay ch 2

also please comment im desperate :) :)