Regret Flows (Frerard)

Basement Eyes

The sun stayed around, allowing the three men to sit outside the deli as they ate and talked. The sun faded umbrella above them billowed gently in the cool breeze, and kept them scrambling to keep the stack of napkins from blowing away. Ray waisted no time introducing himself into Frank's life and immediately accepted him as a close friend, leading Frank to do the same. The three got along and teased one another as if they had all grown up together, flooding Frank with relief. Comfort filled the twenty three year old as he saw his soon to be husband relaxing and experiencing pure happiness- it was contagious. 

"So, Frank," Ray turned to face the younger, "Gerard said you play guitar, if you'd like, I'm going to this convention sort of thing later this week. I'm happy to take you, if you're at all interested. There'll be vendors selling shit for industry people for cheap- Gibson, Fender, Marshall, Epiphone, you name it." Frank shrugged as he chewed his sandwich and looked over at Gerard contently sipping his lemonade through his straw. 

"Yeah, uh, okay. That sounds really cool." He eventually agreed. He was nervous about spending time alone with Ray, but knew Gerard trusted him wholly, so he should as well. "Maybe you can play me those recordings of Gerard," he teased, giggling alongside Ray as Gerard rubbed his temples. 

The trio finished their food and Gerard drove Ray back to the studio, dropping him off outside the still spotless revolving door. "Frank! I'll be in touch!" He promised as he waved at the couple before turning to head inside. 

"I like him!" Frank stated proudly to Gerard as the De Ville drove off. 

"I like him, too." Gerard agreed happily. 

-

Gerard sat in the grass of the yard with his knees pulled to his chest, watching the insects weave in and out from the blades from behind his dark sunglasses. Frank laid on his back with his ankle crossed over his other knee in the air, blowing clouds of nicotine smoke into the sky above him. "I'm really glad you and Ray are going to hang out," Gerard offered, "I think you'll get along great."

Frank smiled at the blue sky, admiring the whispy clouds as they blew by overhead. "Yeah, I think so too," He responded softly.

"Y'know how I said we could just elope?" Gerard asked as he laid back in the grass next to Frank, also letting his eyes wander the sky above. 

Frank mumbled a gentle "Mhmm," in acknowledgement as he relaxed. 

"Well, I've been thinking about it," the artist began as he took a long drag from his cigarette. "If you and Ray hit it off, I think maybe I'd like for him to be there." Frank didn't say anything and waited patiently for Gerard to continue. "Obviously if you don't want him there, though, thats totally fine."

Frank rolled his head as Gerard did the same, looking into one another's eyes. "Of course I don't have a problem with that," Frank smiled softly, seeing the tension flow from the elder's eyes. 

Gerard smiled softly and rolled his head back to face the sky as they laid in content silence. "I've been thinking about rings," he eventually added. 

"Yeah?" Frank mused. He was grateful Gerard showed so much interest in their wedding and marriage. It pained him to hear married people complain about how little their partner participates in their relationship. 

"Yeah," he continued as he chewed on his lip. "I've got a sort of an, uh, unique idea.." he said cryptically, piquing the younger's interest. 

"Am I allowed to know this 'unique idea'?" Frank teased as he rolled over and onto Gerard. His legs straddled Gerard's hips, and he smiled widely as he pulled his cigarette from his mouth between his middle and forefinger.