Regret Flows (Frerard)

Falling in Love (Will Kill You)

The sun warmed the earth for the first time in months, shining brightly as it reflected off puddles and dewy remnants on the grass. Squirrels ran across the tombstones, braving the outside world in hopes of finding new food sources to supplement their stores, and bees hovered around flowers collecting pollen for their hives. 

Frank rolled his flannel sleeves up to his elbows revealing his tattoos, but Gerard kept his jacket sleeves pulled down to his wrists and his hands stuffed in his pockets. Their shoes tapped in harmony against the wet pavement as they walked through the cemetery in an occupied silence. Frank nervously fidgeted with his hair, tucking the long black strands behind his ear and picking at his fingers by his sides. Gerard, on the other hand, slumped his shoulders and frowned dejectedly at the asphalt as it passed under their feet. 

In the distance, a funeral taking place came into view leading the couple to turn course into another direction. They continued on in a shared silence, until Frank noticed a bench on a small hill looking over a section of tombstones. "Wanna go sit up there?" he asked softly gesturing towards the vacant bench. 

"Yeah, alright," Gerard replied hollowly. Their feet continued to tick the asphalt in unison, however in a slower pace as they were both apprehensive of the conversation to come. Atop the hill, under a large oak tree and out of view from the mourning funeral goers, the couple sat on the bench overlooking the neatly polish tombstones. Gerard continued to frown slightly, waiting for Frank to speak first.

Frank chewed at his lip ring in an anxious fit as his hands and feet shook violently, hoping Gerard wouldn't notice. He tried to steady his breath as he focused on a bee making its rounds, and eventually calmed himself to a point where he thought he could speak. 

"Gerard, I've uh-" Frank managed to shake out before pausing to take a deep breath. "I've been thinking, y'know, about us and, I uh-"

"Frank, don't. Listen, I'm not sure what happened," Gerard interrupted, "but I love you, and we can make it work, just tell me what happened and we can fix it, okay?" Gerard stared into his lap while Frank tried to interrupt but was cut off again. "I know its still kinda early for us but I love you and I've never loved anybody like I love you and I just can't let you leave, I won't-"

"G, shut up!" Frank interjected sharply, exhaling dramatically when Gerard finally stopped stammering. "I'm not going anywhere, that's not what I want to talk about," he continued, taking another deep breath to steady himself. "Gerard, I love you more than life itself. Like you said, it's still early for us but I feel so unbelievably connected to you, I couldn't imagine being anywhere else but by your side. You make me feel safe, secure, understood, heard, everything I could ever ask for you've given to me and more. I love the way you call me Frankie and jump to my defense any chance you get- I love that you saved me from myself, and I just," Frank's hands began to shake again as he choked on his words. Another deep breath steadied his voice enough to continue, "I just can't imagine my life without you in it, and I want to be with you forever." Frank reached into his breast pocket and pulled out the neat guitar string ring he made earlier in the morning. He held it between his thumb and forefinger, turning to present it to Gerard who looked down at him with wild disbelief in his eyes. "I want to marry you, Gerard Way. I want to love you and be loved by you forever...Will you marry me?"

Gerard raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Frank's eyes widened as he looked up at the elder with vulnerability pouring from his open soul. "Frankie, I-" Gerard began, choking on tears as they spilled from his green orbs. "Frankie, I love you more than anything. From the first second I saw you I knew you were going to change my life, and you have in such an amazing way, I could never have anticipated being so lucky." Gerard choked more as he smiled down at Frank, also softly crying. "I love waking up next to you, I love coming back into the house and knowing you'll be there. I love the way you love my art and accept all my flaws. I love the way you love me." The artist poured as he timidly reached into his pocket, retrieved a black velvet box and popped it open before getting on one knee, facing Frank. "Frank Iero, will you marry me?"