Let Love In

8

'Why are you smiling?' Bob asks Frank when he finds him on his phone during his smoke break.

'Nothing,' Frank replies. But the smile is still there.

'This is weird, Iero. You never smile.'

'Fuck you, Bryar. By the way, I'm leaving.' Frank tosses the last of his cigarette, and pulls from Lois' leash.

'Where are you going?'

'You're too nosy, Bryar.' But he doesn't really care about what he has to say, because Gerard is waiting for him at the end of the alley. 'Hey,' Frank greets him as he walks closer, and he hopes he doesn't look like an idiot, because he can't stop smiling. He gets Lois in the backseat of Gerard's car, before getting in the passenger's seat.

'Hi,' Gerard says. 'It's good to see you, again.'

'Yeah, you too.'

Both of them are too nervous to start an actual conversation, so the ride is kind of quiet. Frank pretends to check on Lois every two minutes, and Gerard seems to be too focused on the road. Ten minutes later, they're pulling to Gerard's house, and it's not until then that he says something. 'B is going to be really happy to see you.' Frank can't hide his smile as he follows him, and as soon as he opens the door, the girl sees him from the living room, and goes running to him. 'Surprise!' Gerard says.

'Frankie! B says and hugs him tight. 'I didn't know you were coming!'

Frank looks at Gerard, confused. He thought she was the one who had invited him – and when he notices Gerard blushing, his heart starts beating fast, while his brain starts wondering if this is what he thinks it is. Don't get excited, Frank, he thinks to himself, then follows Bandit to the living room, while she talks about Lord of the Rings. Gerard goes to the kitchen to get their dinner, while they play with Lois. He's back a couple minutes later, carrying three bowl of pasta, and leaves them on the coffee table. 'I hope it's good,' he tells Frank. 'I found this vegan recipe online, so –'

'Oh, wow,' Frank replies, surprised. Did he make this for him? Without thinking twice, he takes a mouthful. 'It's amazing!'

'Really?'

Frank nods and keeps eating. B seems to like it too, so that must be a good sign.

'Welcome to the Way family tradition, Frank,' Gerard says as the movie starts playing, and the three of them are sitting on the couch. Gerard on one side, Frank on the other, and Bandit in between them, scratching the dog at her knees.

Frank tries to pay attention to the movie. He remembers seeing bits here and there, but it still gets a little confusing. He doesn't feel nerd enough to enjoy it. And the fact that Gerard is so close isn't helping.

Halfway through the movie, B is already cuddling next to Frank, sharing a bag of popcorn, while Gerard has his own. They explain to Frank what's happening and joke around. Gerard starts calling him Frodo Baggins, and though Frank pretends to be angry, he's really having a good time.

Not long after that, he notices that B already fell asleep on his shoulder.

'I guess you're comfortable,' Gerard says.

Frank just smiles at that, finding it really adorable that she always wants to be around him. it's something he can't quite understand, but it feels good.

'What did you think about the movie?' Gerard asks, bringing him back to the moment.

'I liked it,' he says with a genuine smile, but he means the whole moment, hanging out with them.

'You should come see the second one next week.'

Frank sees himself spending more time with the Way family. Maybe next time he can cook something for them. They can watch other movies after they're done with Lord of the Rings. The more time he can hang out with them, the better. Especially with Gerard. 'That'd be rad.'

They keep talking for a while, and by then Lois is asleep too. Just as Frank is telling him about his vegan pie, a yawn comes out.

'You can crash on the couch,' Gerard says, and Frank can't help smiling.

'Thank you,' he replies. 'But I gotta work tomorrow.'

'You want me to take you home?'

'I don't want to bother you any more than I have.' He doesn't know why, but he can't keep his eyes off Gerard, and Gerard is looking at him too. It's not uncomfortable at all.

Quite the opposite. It's an inner peace that he can't really explain, and he doesn't want to move.

'It's nothing, really. Just let me take B to her room.'

Frank nods, and Gerard pulls his daughter into his arms and goes upstairs. Frank considers staying, just to spend more time with him, but it's too late, and he doesn't want to be a pain in the ass.

But he doesn't want to say goodbye, just yet.

'Tell me when you're ready,' Gerard tells him as he comes down the stairs. 'She's asleep now.'

Frank nods, and not know how to say that he wanted to stay for a bit longer and talk, he just gets up from the couch.

The ride home is short, but even then, the awkward silence makes it feel longer than it is. Frank looks out the window, ignoring that funny feeling at the bottom of his stomach. The nerves are killing him. Why is it so hard? And he's making it even harder by being all weird. His breathing gets faster and it's impossible to pretend he's cool. Gerard would notice any second.

He can hear Gerard's voice saying something, but he can't understand a word he's saying.

Every fiber of his body is shaking, shivers run down his spine and his arms. So he takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, holding in the tears.

He doesn't know what's happening. All these sensations feel new and weird. He's not sure if he's ready.

Before he knows it, they're parked outside his house. 'Thanks for coming,' he hears Gerard say. The scene is repeating, and both of them are clearly nervous.

Frank has this urge to get out. But he tries to keep calm, and instead, he just says, 'Thanks for inviting me.'

'You know you can come by anytime. We can play D&D, or whatever –'

Frank nods with a smile.

They both stay in their seats for a while. Frank knows it's time to go, but he doesn't want to. He wants to stay there, with Gerard.

'Are you okay?' Gerard asks. Frank still doesn't know how he does it. He always keeps him grounded, in the moment.

'Yeah,' Frank replies, his heart beating faster than ever. And he means it. He can't remember when was the last time he felt this good, and he's not sure his heart can't handle it. 'Better than ever.' The smile on Gerard's face makes everything even better. There's the butterflies again. Fireworks. 'You?'

'Better than ever.'

Frank stops, his hand on the door handle, holding it tight, or else, he's going to kiss him. But before he can even think twice about it, Gerard's lips are on his.

It's brief, but the warmth lingers for a while. Every inch of him warms up, feeling alive, and for a second, every thought and worry, disappears. Gerard is still pulling apart, taking it all in, his eyes on Frank's, hungry, when Frank pulls him by the collar of his shirt and kisses him again. This time, harder, not letting go.

Neither of them says a word after that, they just stay there, close, smiling like idiots.

*************** 

so, what are your thoughts?

again, thank you so much for reading and leaving your votes and comments!! they mean a lot and keep me writing!! <3