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Frank had never felt this way.

Waking up to soft kisses and Gerard's arms around him, whispering in his ear. 'Good morning, sleepy head.' His voice sounded rough and he felt warm at the touch. God, he loved him more than anything else.

'Goodmorning,' Frank replied, mumbling.

They didn't say anything for a while, and just cuddled and kissed, giggling. Just enjoying each other. Somehow that turned into more making out and that led to more. 'I love you,' Gerard whispered as they cuddled afterwards.

'Love you, too.' He leaned in for a kiss. 'You're really liking this, huh?'

'I could do this all day.'

'What about we go get breakfast first?'

'I guess I can use some food.'

'Let's go then.' He pulled Gerard by the arm and dragged him to the kitchen. 'You work tonight?'

'Are you kidding me?! It's Saturday, of course I'm working!'

'I'm gonna be honest. I miss it sometimes, especially seeing Jamia losing it.' Frank opened the fridge to look for food, completely forgetting that he was only wearing underwear and Gerard's Iron Maiden t-shirt, when Ray came in and found him.

'Gerard,' he said. 'Can you ask your boyfriend to wear pants in the house? Oh, wait, I guess I should say that to you too.'

Gerard could only laugh his head off, noticing Frank's embarrassment. 'I'm sorry. I didn't know you were home.'

'I just got here. But I guess you were too busy to notice.'

'You're heading off to work?'

'Yeah. I had to stop by for my laptop, and some stuff.'

By then, Frank was back from the bedroom, wearing pants this time. 'I'm sorry, I –'

'Don't worry. All forgotten,' Ray said. 'Hopefully.' There was a long silence while Ray got his coffee, and Frank started working on the eggs. 'So I'm guessing you're back together.'

'Yeah,' Gerard said, and Frank just gave him a smile.

'I'm glad. Frank, if you hurt this guy –' Ray turned to him, patting his shoulder. 'I promise you'll regret it.'

'I promise I won't hurt him.'

'Good.' Then, Ray was gone, and they went back to making out, forgetting all about the food.








***








Frank was still taking it slow, and now that he was sober and with a new job, he thought it was time to move back home, so his dad helped him to clean the house over the weekend. And then, he went to the bar to pay a visit to Gerard and Jamia.

'Look who decided to show up!' she yelled as he came in. 'You completely forgot about everyone, dude! Remember me, your best friend?'

He just smiled, covering his face behind his hands. 'I'm sorry, okay! I was trying to get my shit together, and stay clean, and focus on my job.'

'Speaking of which – how is it?'

'Great, actually. It's something I never even thought about doing, but I like it, and it keeps me sane.'

'I'm glad. But I missed you.'

'I'm sorry – and I missed you, too. We should do something –' And just then, from the back door that led to the kitchen, Gerard came out carrying a plastic crate with clean glasses, and Frank forgot about everything else and his eyes could only see him. 'Hey, there.'

'Oh,' Jamia said with an eye roll. 'So, that's the real reason you're here. Not your best friend. Wait, you're back together?'

Neither of them answered, and just shared a look.

'Why you never tell me anything?'

Gerard just laughed. 'I was going to, okay?'

'When?'

'I don't know.' The couple couldn't help laughing.

'Look, it just happened,' Frank replied. 'He went to pick me up on Friday, got me flowers, and asked me out.'

'Look at you, Romeo!' she said to Gerard. 'I guess you can have your break now. But we have to do something soon.'

'Deal.'

They headed out to the back alley, right after Frank said hi to everyone, and it brought him so many memories of working there. 'I missed this more than I thought,' he said once they were outside.

'I think everyone misses you.' Gerard got the cigarettes out and gave one to Frank. 'Not as much as me, though.'

'We saw each other yesterday.'

'I know, but – this place isn't the same without you.' He pulled Frank for a kiss and they stayed like that for a while. 'But I know you're better now. So that's all it matters.'

'Thank you.'

Frank told him he and his dad spent the day cleaning his house, and he's planning on moving back in the next couple days. 'That's good news.'

'I guess. Doesn't mean I'm not afraid to be alone again.'

'I know.'

'So I might need some time.'

'It's okay. I'll still be there if you need me.'

'I know. Thank you.'

After they were done with their cigarette, they walked to the convenience store and got cheap pizza, then sat outside to eat it. 'So this is what it's like to have a boyfriend?' Frank asked.

'I guess, I wouldn't know.' Gerard smiled, and Frank's insides turned.

'Well, I like it.'

'Me too.'

Frank waited for him to be off, talking to everyone he knew. They all seemed happy to see Paco, and even tried to buy him drinks, but he only drank Coke all night. And when they closed, Frank took Gerard home.

Over the next few days, between work, and Frank seeing his therapist on Tuesday morning, they found time to hang out and they'd go to Gerard's apartment to "watch movies," which meant lots of making out until they fell asleep. It wasn't until Wednesday, that Frank finally could move back home.

He hated the silence.

Not that it was different from being at his dad's place. But he was scared of knowing he was by himself, and no one would be there to stop him.

But he was doing okay now.

He took a deep breath, throwing his bag to the floor, and sitting on the couch to watch a movie and maybe take a nap before he left to see Gerard at the bar. Except halfway through the movie, there was a knock on the door.

He was expecting to find his dad, maybe to bring him dinner and check on him, but no. 'Hi,' Gerard said in his usual high pitched voice that melted him. And in his arms, there was a tiny lab puppy with chocolate fur and the prettiest blue eyes. 'I got someone to keep you company.'

Gerard was really the best boyfriend ever.

They spent the day playing with the puppy, trying to train him to go potty and snuggling with him. 'So you got a name for him?' Gerard asked.

He thought about it for a while, and with a smile, he looked up and said, 'Dracula.'

After having dinner and taking Dracula outside, they fell asleep on the couch. And when Gerard tried to get up, Frank pulled him by the arm, still asleep. 'Stay with me.'

And Gerard had no choice.

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