NO FUN CLUB

EPILOGUE

MONTHS LATER

Frank and Gerard walked the snow covered hills, hand in hand.

The ring on Gerard's finger cold at the touch against his skin, and it still made him smile. A week before Christmas, Frank ran to the mall to buy him a silver ring so he could tell everyone that they were engaged over Christmas dinner.

But Frank wanted to tell someone first.

He squeezed his fiancé's hand as they stepped in front of the tombstone of his grandfather, really trying not to cry. 'Hi, grandpa,' he said with a sad smile. How he wished he was still here. It was almost impossible not to cry, but Gerard just held his hand tighter to give him strength. 'I want you to meet someone special.'

Gerard smiled at that. 'Nice to meet you, Mr. Iero. Your grandson has told me a lot about you.'

Frank smiled, and he could feel his eyes get wet again. 'He's the love of my life. And I know it's not exactly what you expected, but he makes me really happy.' Without Frank saying anything, Gerard held him tight before he broke. 'And I'm gonna marry him, and have a family, just like yours.' And that was it, he started sobbing in Gerard's shoulders.

'He'd be so proud of you, babe,' he said, running his hands up and down Frank's back.

They sat next to the grave in complete silence. Gerard was starting to get worried that it was too cold for Frank and he'd get sick, but he didn't want to go yet. He knew Frank just wanted to be with his grandfather. 'I think I know what I want to do with my life,' Frank said out of nowhere, not looking at Gerard. 'I want to play music.'

Gerard didn't know what to say, but he knew this was important to him, and that was all it matter. 'Okay.'

'I mean. For real. In a band. For a living.' Gerard just listened, squeezing his hand to let him know he was there. 'I know it's not a great plan, and it's crazy, but that's the only thing I see myself doing, and I don't know why it took me so long to realize it.'

There was a long silence, and Frank turned to him, worried about his reaction. 'You know I'll support you no matter what, Frankie.'

'Are you sure?' he stuttered.

'All I want is for you to be happy. If that involves you becoming a dog trainer or a circus clown or a musician, I'll be there. I'll be your biggest fan.'

Frank couldn't help smiling. 'But it won't be easy.'

'I know. But I'll still be there.'

Frank nodded, clearly struggling. 'I think I need a hug. This is the most important decision of my life, and it could change everything.' Gerard didn't even let him finish before throwing himself at him again, and Frank felt he could breathe again.

'I love you, Frank.'

***

'We're engaged!' Frank announced to their families Christmas morning.

They figured they were family now so they invited everyone to spend Christmas with them, including Jamia, who was already family for them. And after they all opened their presents, Frank told them.

As soon as he did, Jamia ran to him, and tackled him to the ground, yelling and celebrating. 'I have to be the made of honor!' And their moms started planning the wedding right away. And Linda sat with Gerard and told him she needed to teach him to cook, because her baby boy couldn't just eat everything, as if they hadn't been living together for months and Gerard didn't know that.

In the meantime, Jamia took Frank outside for a smoke. 'I can't believe the great Paco Iero is getting married,' she said with a smirk.

And he couldn't help smiling, too. Because I couple years ago, he wouldn't have believed it either. But he hadn't met Gerard yet. 'I know.'

'Actually – if there's anyone who knows you more than anyone here, is me.' She took a drag and looked at him. 'Even back in high school I knew you were a hopeless romantic, and you wanted to find the one. But you were hurt.' She was right. She knew him too well. 'But you found him.'

'I did.'

And Frank couldn't help crying.

***

'Hello. My name is Frank, and I'm auditioning for lead guitar,' he said, and then plugged his guitar to the amp. After weeks of auditions, he was still nervous every time he played in front of these bands, not sure if he was good enough.

He still had his doubts about his decision, and he just wished he didn't quit his job for nothing.

Before he regretted it, he started playing a Misfits cover, trying not to overthink. He'd played it millions of times since he was a teenager, and in the past couple weeks. But he knew they were judging him, and there were people better than him. His friend Tucker had told him his band was looking for another guitarist for their next tour, so Frank thought he'd convince them.

When he finished playing he stood in front of them, nervous. His whole future was in their hands.

'You write songs?' Geoff, the lead singer, asked.

'Yeah.' He hadn't written any in a while, but he could work on that.

'Why aren't you playing your own stuff then?' Frank didn't know how to answer, and just stood there. 'You're in. But I gotta say, you have a lot of potential, man.'

He almost cried when Geoff said that, but Tucker ran to hug him and welcome him into the band. And after a quick meeting to go over the tour details, and the rehearsals, he ran home, excited to tell Gerard.

He found him in the kitchen, and before he said anything, Frank kissed him. 'I'm in the band.'

'Are you serious?!'

Frank nodded, which got him a kiss as reward, and Frank told him everything. He'd be going on tour with them, and possibly be on the next record, and that Geoff told him he should write his own music, too. He was so excited, he barely stopped to breathe, as he did when he was anxious. But Gerard just listened.

In a couple months, he'd be leaving for tour, and Gerard would be working on publishing his comic book. They'd probably get married when Frank got back, and he'd start playing in local venues. But for now, they didn't have any plans.

Frank dragged Gerard to bed and took off his clothes. They cuddled all night, and joked around. They were still fucked up and needed to get their shit together, but they were happy and in love, and it was all it really mattered. 'Let's elope,' Frank said out of nowhere. 'I want to be your husband as soon as possible.'

'Are you crazy?'

'Maybe a little.'

And that was why Gerard loved him. 'Let's do it then.'

*********************

And... scene

This has been one of my favorite stories to write, and I got attached to them, so it's really hard to say goodbye, but they're happy now. This was a very personal story for me, so it's hard to let go. But I'm so thankful for everyone who read it and gave Paco and Gerard some love <3

thank you so much for reading, and all the votes and comments you left :) you made my day and kept me writing! Really, it means the world! I'd like to know what you thought and thank you again <3