Frank's POV
Late summer was the busiest time of year at the camp. We had to harvest everything we were growing before the first cold snap killed it all. Gerard and I were tired out of our minds by the end of everyday, so we didn't really get much of a chance to talk.
It was a week after Ryan's death, but we were so busy that we barely got time to dwell on how much we were missing him. We spent all day outside, and all night sleeping soundly. There were no more nightmares that week; or dreams at all for that matter.
I was lounging on Gerard's bed, watching him try to stay awake long enough to finish whatever he was drawing. After yawning for about the tenth time in two minutes he switched the light off and got into bed, kissing my neck.
"You know," he said. "Tomorrow will be exactly a month since we met."
"You've been keeping track?" I said, surprised. I didn't think anyone kept track of days passing any more, but here he was telling me it was almost our anniversary.
"Of course I've been keeping track. So I have a surprise for you tomorrow."
I was suddenly very curious. "What is it?"
He kissed my nose. "If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise." With that, he switched the light off and put his arms around me, falling asleep almost immediately.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I barely saw Gerard all day. It was our "anniversary," and he hadn't even said good morning to when I woke up.
It wasn't until sunset when I got a tiny bit of communication from him. I walked into our room to change out of my sweaty clothes before dinner, when I noticed a folded piece of paper with my name on it sitting on the desk. I opened the paper and read it.
My dearest Frank,
Please meet me outside, near the rose bushes on the north edge of the yard.
Love always, Gerard.
I quickly pulled off my dirty, smelly tshirt and put on a different, slightly more presentable one. After a moments thought, i grabbed a condom out of my bag and shoved it in my pocket, just in case. I combed my hair to the side and walked down the stairs, avoiding everyone as I made my way out of the house and over to the clump of rose bushes near the fence.
"Gerard?" I called as I got closer.
"Over here," he said. I made my way through the bushes. There, laying on a blanket was Gerard. He had set up the perfect post-apocalyptic picnic, complete with candlelight and a bottle of wine. The walls of rose bushes were high enough that no one would be able to see us.
He stood up, grabbing my hands and pressing his lips to mine.
"Happy anniversary," he said softly.
I was almost at a loss for words. "Gerard... I don't know what to say."
His face fell slightly. "Do- do you like it?"
"It's perfect," I whispered. He pulled me over to the picnic blanket, sitting down next to me. There weren't many options nowadays when it came to food, but he still made a better picnic than I could have asked for.
We ate as the sun set, laughing about everything and talking about nothing in particular. I ate until I was full, which was still unusual for me, and then I laid down on my back, staring at the stars. Gerard laid down next to me, slipping his hand into mine.
"You know," he said. "I really fucking love you."
I didn't answer, instead grabbing him by the collar of his shirt and pulling him into a kiss. He leaned into it, rolling on top of me and nearly kicking over a burning candle in the process. I slipped my hands up his shirt, breaking the kiss long enough to pull it off over his head. He tugged at the hem of my shirt, removing it. I shivered slightly at the cool air hitting my skin.
"You're so fucking beautiful," he whispered.
"Shut up and just fuck me."
-------------------------------------------------------------
"So..." said Mikey. "Where were you guys last night? I was starting to worry."
"Well, I set up a picnic outside, and we kind of fell asleep out there," Gerard responded, adjusting his shirt collar to try to hide the hickey I had left on his neck.
Mikey must have noticed. "Gross," he muttered. Gerard's cheeks turned bright pink.
"Anyway..." said Mikey, trying to change the subject. "We're almost all out of ammo. We need someone to go into Jersey City. You wanna go?"
"Yeah, sure," said Gerard. He didn't even hesitate at all. I pulled him to the side.
"I don't want you going out there on your own." I whispered to him.
"Why not? I always go alone. I always survive."
"If I remember correctly, you almost died last time. If I wasn't there, you might be dead."
He sighed. "So what do you want me to do?"
"Let me come with you." He immediately started to protest but I cut him off. "Come on. I saved your ass at least twice last time we were out there. We make a good team."
"I want you to stay here where you're safe. I can't lose you," he whispered.
"I don't want to lose you either. But if we both go, we'll be together. We can keep each other safe."
Gerard nodded hesitantly and turned to look at Mikey. "Frank and I will go."
"Perfect," said Mikey. "You can leave this afternoon."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We made it to the city just as the sun was setting.
"We need to find a place to sleep," said Gerard, turning off the truck after hiding it in an alley.
"I think we're only two blocks away from the bookshop," I responded. "We should stay there again."
Gerard agreed, and we cautiously made our way through the deserted streets. The bookshop seemed different from when we were last here.
"I think someone's been here." I said. He didn't answer, but instead pressed his lips to mine, pushing me against the wall. I flipped our positions, so I was the one who was pinning him to the wall.
Suddenly, I heard a click that told me we weren't alone in the room. The cool metal of the barrel of a gun pressed against my skull. I froze.
"You're lucky I don't put a bullet in your brain right now Frankie," said an all too familiar voice. I turned around slowly, but I really didn't need to, because I already knew who I would see.
I finally choked out the only word I could; his name. "Bob?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DUN DUN DUUUUNNNN.
Wow, okay, sorry this chapter sucks so much. I was experiencing major writer's block because (as you can probably tell) I am physically incapable of writing smut.
On a different note, WOW I have almost four hundred reads which is strange because this story isn't even all that great in my opinion, but thanks to everyone who read it.
Special shoutout to my friend Vivek, who is the only guy who will still be friends with me after I ask him to help me write gay smut.
xojenna
