So Long, Not Goodnight

Chapter Thirty-Five

They couldn't move fast enough to pull their clothes on; there was enough time for Gerard to hide himself beneath his apron and Frank had just pulled his pants up onto his hips as Mikey rounded the corner plopping his bag at his feet. Gerard was still propped up on the table and Frank stood between his legs, Gerard's toes just touching the tile below. Mikey stood in the doorway, turning bright red as he took a few steps away and out of sight. "Fuck guys!" Mikey's soft voice barely was above a whisper, even in frustration. "The kitchen? And ma's apron, Gerard? Now this is all I'm gonna think of when she wears it... Ohmigod..."

There was another creak and close of the front door. "Mikes!" Ray's voice boomed cheerfully and his steps stopped, as he no doubt saw Mikey standing just to the right to the entrance to the kitchen. "Everything alright?"

"We... Uhm..." Mikey tripped over his words, still blushing. "We... Interrupted something..."

"Almost interrupted... Again..." Frank called out to them as Gerard gathered his clothes and pulled them on quickly.

"This is so embarrassing," Gerard buried his face into his hands, peeking out at Frank through a slit between his middle and ring fingers. 

Frank stuck his head out and around the doorway, grinning awkwardly, as Gerard's face popped up above Frank's, his face a darker shade than his brothers. "Is nothing sacred in this house?" Mikey cautiously made his way into the kitchen, Ray following close behind. 

Ray caught Gerard's eyes and stuck his tongue out playfully, giving him two thumbs up. "Hell yeah!" He whispered, winking at Gerard who darkened redder, but smiled back mischievously. 

Gerard scurried to the table, placing all the platters and plates back neatly to where they had originated, collecting two additional plates and cutlery from the cabinet and drawer, making two more spots for Ray and Mikey. "We were just about to sit down for breakfast," Gerard transitioned the conversation, turning to collect two more coffee mugs to place at the two new spots. 

Ray immediately plopped down in the seat next to Frank, licking his lips and eyeing all the options, as Mikey cautiously sat down between Ray and Gerard, twisting his lips uncertainly. "Are you sure this is... Sanitary?" Mikey looked from Gerard to Frank and back to the former. 

Before Gerard had the opportunity to answer, Frank laughed and leaned forward, his elbows on the table. "We didn't fuck the food, Mikey."

Both brothers blushed at Frank's brash bravado.  Ray chuckled, helping himself to a spoonful of eggs and some toast, pouring himself and Mikey a cup of coffee. "That's good enough for me," Ray spooned salsa on top of his serving, replacing the bowl back to where it was before collecting a mouthful of food. "Besides," his voice muffled between chews. "That wouldn't stop me from eating Gerard's cooking. He's a damn chef. He could have went third base with these eggs and I'd still eat them."

Frank pointed his right thumb over to Ray. "I like this guy."

"Shit! I'm sorry man," Ray swallowed and wiped his hands on a napkin before reaching a hand out to Frank. "I'm Ray."

"I gathered that much," Frank took it in his own and they shook like fucking professionals. "Frank."

"It's nice to meet you," Ray took another bite from his fork. "Mikes told me about his brother's new boyfriend. He said you seemed really sweet and perfect for him."

Mikey shoved Ray slightly. "What?" Ray held his palms up, his fingers still entwined with his fork. "It's a compliment!"

From across the table, Frank noticed Gerard smiling dreamily down into his plate, his perfect fingers wrapped around his mug of coffee. He watched Gerard's fingers rub over the porcelain in circles as his smile grew at one corner of his mouth. All Frank wanted to do was to reach across the table and take those fingers in between his own, feeling their delicate warmth that instantly ignited the furnace within him, like a shot of adrenaline straight to his heart. Gerard looked at Frank out of the corners of his eyes, smiling teasingly as he took a pull from his mug. "So, uhm," Mikey reached out and tentatively took a corner of toast, eyeing it suspiciously. "Do you two have any other plans for today?"