Mad Gear

Falling

Gerard isn't used to coming home from work to find someone waiting outside his door. He's not used to anyone bringing him flowers, or asking how his day was.

He's lived alone for so long, with only Rat the Cat to keep him company, that seeing Frank waiting for him almost skip a heartbeat. 'I –' he tries to say as he approaches the building, his voice shaking. 'What –'

But Frank interrupts him. 'I wanted to see you,' he says with a nervous smile.

Fuck. Gerard is so not used to any of this. 'I thought you'd at least give me some time to take a shower,' he tries to joke.

'I couldn't wait,' Frank says, and the next second, catches Gerard off guard when he leans in and presses a kiss to his lips.

'I'm going to get you all dirty.'

'I don't really care.'

'Are those for me?' Gerard asks, nodding at the bouquet standing between them. 'I feel like I was supposed to be the one who got you flowers.'

Frank just laughs. 'Well, I got a little excited.'

Gerard's heart is doing that thing again, and stops beating for a second. How in hell did he get so lucky? Just when he thought that he would die alone, this guy comes out of nowhere and brings him back to life. He thanks whoever is up there watching out for him who made Frank's car break that day. 'How are you real, motherfucker?' he asks Frank, and he's never smiled this big.

'You know, I wonder the same thing myself.'

And, he's cocky. Gerard pulls him closer, his hands on Frank's hips, and kisses him. 'Well, thank you for the flowers. I've never gotten flowers before.' Frank gives him a proud smile that melts everything inside Gerard, and he bites his tongue before he even opens his mouth and lets out those three big words.

Because he knows that's what this is. There's no doubt about it.

But this is going too quick for him. This whole weekend seems like a dream, but he knows Frank will have to go back to his life in New York soon, and he'll forget about Gerard and what happened. Frank is a fucking music producer with his own label, what the fuck would he be doing with a broke mechanic like him?

This is going to end bad for him. And yet, all he says is, 'Why don't we go inside, and you tell me the good news?' Without hesitation, Frank takes Gerard's hand and follows him inside the apartment. Meanwhile, Gerard has to remain strong and focus on turning the lights on, and greeting Rat, who's patiently waiting for him by his bowl of water, or he'll push Frank against the nearest wall and fuck his brains out.

Instead, he listens to him talking about record deals and bands he's never heard of, while looking for a vase for his flowers. Because that's what boyfriends are supposed to do. Wait – they're not even boyfriends, are they? He pushes the thought away before it eats him alive, and pulls Frank for a kiss. 'I'm very proud of you,' he says.

'Really?'

Gerard nods, unable to stop looking into Frank's eyes. What the fuck is happening to him? 'I know we barely know each other, but that show was amazing, and I'm sure you worked really hard on it.' Frank gives him a shy smile that makes things worse. 'And just hearing you talk about it, makes me so excited for all the good things that are coming for you.' And I want nothing more than to be there seeing you make all your dreams come true, he thinks, but doesn't say it. Gerard doesn't want to ruin things just when they're going well.

'I'm excited, too,' Frank says, almost in a whisper, not taking his eyes off Gerard.

'We need to celebrate that. I don't have a lot, but you want a beer?'