NO FUN CLUB

22

Gerard didn't know why he was so nervous to go on a date with Frank when they had dated before.

But somehow, it seemed different. Probably because of how they started, in the middle of Frank's life sinking down and Gerard being there for the fall, and now it felt like actual dating. The younger man even insisted that they stopped at his dad's house so he could change out of his uniform and look presentable.

Now Gerard was sitting in his car, trying to calm his nerves down. He knew Frank was better now, and he didn't need Gerard to fix him anymore, though he'd still do anything for him.

He was scrolling down his phone notifications – mainly texts from Ray, telling him to man up and that he had the apartment for himself if he needed it –, when the passenger door opened, and Frank got in, all showered, shaved and wearing a black button up shirt with short sleeves that showed his tattooed arms. 'Wow,' was all Gerard could say, not that he hadn't noticed how attractive he was before because he knew he was so out of his league, but he looked especially good today.

'What?' Frank replied shyly.

'You know what. You're hot.'

'Look who's talking.'

'Oh, shut up.'

'Make me.' Both men just looked at each other, smiling at each other and holding hands.

'I'm happy to see you're getting better,' Gerard added while his thumb caressed the back of Frank's hand.

'I'm trying. But I'm actually happy. For once.'

'That makes me happy.'

Frank leaned in for a soft kiss, and then said, 'Well – we better go. I'm hungry.'

Gerard drove them to a fancy restaurant downtown, the kind where they give you three different kinds of spoons and two forks. And Frank was surprised to find out their entire menu was vegan. 'Wow! You went all out!' he mentioned as the server offered them drinks – they even had non-alcoholic wines.

'I didn't know what to do for our first date.'

'I mean, technically our first date was fries at the park and going to the arcade. But I appreciate this a lot.'

'It's the least that you deserve.'

They talked about work, Gerard updating him on everything that had happened at the bar since he quit. Who had quit, and all the drama between the kitchen people. And Frank told him about Frances and the fact that they bonded over their names, and he liked to do her nails. 'To be honest,' he said. 'This isn't something I see myself doing all my life, but for now, I'm okay with where I am.'

'I'm happy for you.'

'Me too.' He reached for Gerard's hand, and looked at him. 'Now, please tell me you've been working on your comic book.'

'Actually – I think I finished what could be the first issue.'

'That's great! Maybe I was in your way.'

'No! Don't say that! I should had finished it a long time ago.'

After dinner, they walked around the neighborhood, holding hands and talking. Some of the shops were starting to close, but when they walked past a tattoo shop that was surprisingly still open, Frank pulled Gerard inside. 'You're crazy if you think I'm going to get one,' he said.

'No, I'm getting it. Just to remember this day, you know.'

Frank knew he sounded crazy, and he hadn't told him his idea yet. He asked the guy behind the counter how much it'd be for a random design, and he chose one with vampire teeth because it reminded him of Gerard.