Regret Flows (Frerard)

Bulletproof Love

The sky glittered as stars began to emerge from the purple twilight haze over the ocean. Sea birds cut across the darkening sky as they returned to their homes in the evergreen trees, and the streets flooded with young people heading out for a night of fun. 

Frank and Gerard walked hand in hand, laughing with each other, pointing out cool outfits as they passed, and soaking up the temperate California winter air. "Let's move here, I'm wearing a hoodie and jeans and I feel fine! In December!" Frank joked. 

"It is nice, isn't it?" Gerard replied, looking out over the waves crashing against the shore as they continued to walk. "But I couldn't live here. I need the seasons, the change.. everything becomes too blurred when there isn't any change." Frank thought about what Gerard said as they continued down the sidewalk, slowing down to appreciate a mural painted on the side of a bank. Gerard dragged his heels as they rounded a corner, slowing to a stop when he saw the large modern building across the street with two large spotlights on either side of the open doors shining straight upwards into the night sky.  A large banner hung above the doors reading, 'Hyde Gallery - Now Displaying the works of Gerard Way.'

Frank gasped as the building came into view, strengthening the grip he had on Gerard's hand. The artist didn't say anything, but ticked his mouth to the side and squinted his eyes slightly as he evaluated the scene. "Holy shit.." Frank finally said with his eyes stuck wide open as if he had just witnessed a murder.  His head shot upwards at Gerard, who looked down with a small smirk on his lips. "Gerard, what the fuck?"

"I didn't think it'd be this big a deal, if I'm being honest," Gerard said laughing.

"No! No laughing! This is a big deal, Gerard-holy shit you're like famou- Look at that line!" Frank stammered as they shifted their attention to the long queue of people waiting to enter the gallery lined with red velvet ropes alongside the building. Gerard laughed again and kissed the top of Frank's head before continuing forward towards the building.

The two crossed the street and walked up the opposite side of the gallery from where the line of people was formed. As they approached the back entrance, security guards shifted their attention towards the two, but a woman with a clipboard looked up at the couple and immediately ran over, offering to show them inside. Gerard followed behind her, making sure Frank was still securely in his grip, before turning the corner into the brightly lit hallway. "Can I get you anything? Water, snacks-" She offered.

"No, that's okay, but thank you. We'll just wander in ourselves, if that's okay," Gerard responded politely, taking Frank's hand between both of his. 

"Of course!" the woman excitedly responded, "I'd love to formally introduce you to the gall-"

"No, that's okay," He cut her off. "I think we're going to try to keep our presence slightly under wraps," the artist asked, looking down at Frank who shot back a confused yet reassuring nod of approval as he continued to process what was happening.

"Right, well if you need anything, please just let me know!" She offered, reaching out to shake both of their hands. 

As they turned to leave the company of the woman, Gerard noticed how scared Frank looked, and paused to check in with him. "You doin' alright, pumpkin?"

Frank anxiously nodded his head as he met Gerard's eye line, "Yeah, I just didn't realize how, like, well known you were.. I feel stupid for not knowing.."

Gerard laughed sharply, "The only reason half these people are here is because they had nowhere else to be on a Saturday night, and the other half are just trying to look as if they understand what any of my art means to appear deep or something." He rubbed his hands along Frank's arms reassuringly, "Which is funny, because I don't even know what any of it means. Other than the fact that I have issues," he laughed again, earning a small smile from Frank. "Let's just go look around, and we can leave whenever you want."