/Frerard/ You have no idea what you're up against

Chapter 8: Gerard and his goddamn coffee obsession

Frank's POV:

Oh god. Okay, be calm. He probably doesn't think this is a date. It's just all in my head. I mean, I'd prefer if it was a date, but I didn't actually ask him out, did I? Well, I asked him could we talk about the author-person, but I don't really want to do that. But what if he breaks my heart!? I've been heartbroken before and it's terrible, why don't I have control over my emotions!? Okay, just stop thinking for a second and proceed into the shop.

I can see Gerard in the shop through the glass frame. He looks so adorable. I can only see his hair and face since some other people were blocking my view. Damnit, I hate being so short.

I walk into the coffee shop to see Gerard had already ordered two cups of coffee for himself, both of them were for him. He finished the first one and has started drinking the second one now.

"Hey! Where's my drink?" I say jokingly as I approached him. I must have taken him by surprise because when he heard my voice he jumped a little in his seat and looked up at me with wide eyes, a bit of coffee dribbled down his chin, and a startled expression. I couldn't help but laugh. He then squinted his eyes at me.

"Frank! Don't do that when I'm drinking, I didn't see you." He was smiling as he said this though so I knew he wasn't mad.

"Um... Gee?" Oh no here I go...

"Yeah?" His goddamn smile, stop being so cute or else I'll kill you. Wait, no, I could never do that. But maybe kill for you? I don't even know anymore.

"What if I told you I didn't invite you here to talk about the author?" My stomach is in knots right now, you don't even know the pain and struggle that I'm going through to stop myself from vomiting.

"Why did you invite me then?" He looked so confused, this is not helping with my anxiety, stop it Gerard!

"O-on a date..." Oh god, please tell me you didn't hear me so I can say something else.

"A date?" Shit, you did hear me.

"Yes. A date. Because I like you, I really do." Okay, bit by bit Frankie, you don't want to ramble on about your feelings for him for hours.

"I like you too Frank." Now Gerard is back smiling, oh my god I love that smile! He's so cute! He's likes me back...I did not see that coming!

"But, Frank." Oh, there's a but. That makes more sense.

"The last time you were with someone-"

"This will not be like the last time. Last time, I was lead on. I trust you won't lead me on." I stare at Gerard and he nods.

"I promise, I won't. Thanks for trusting me." He says quietly. There was a few seconds of silence after that. It got a bit awkward, so I decided to speak up.

"Um, I'm not that thirsty of hungry, when you're done drinking coffee, do you want to play the guitars?" I've been trying to teach Gee how to play the guitars for a few months now, he's getting the hang of it. Maybe he could play guitar for a song for our band someday.

We walk over to the 'stage' as I like to call it, it's more of a big slab of black wood where they keep the instruments. I pick up an electric guitar and pass Gerard an acoustic. I unplug the amp because I would hate to disturb people. "So what song do you want to learn now?" "Demolition lovers?" I raise an eyebrow. "Well, okay, but you have to sing along if we're learning this." Totally not an excuse to hear him sing the lyrics to me.

He smiles and begins the song at the chorus;

I'm trying, I'm trying
To let you know just how much you mean to me
And after all the things we've put each other through and
I would drive on to the end with you.
A liquor store or two keeps the gas tank full
And I feel like there's nothing left to do
But prove myself to you and we'll keep it running.

These two little children come over to us as we're playing. A boy who looked nine years of age and a girl who looked seven. They were smiling from ear to ear and I presume they're brother and sister.

"You are a good singer mister person." The little girl giggles and smiles again. The guy behind her nods furiously.

"Awe thanks! Can you guys sing?" The girl nods her head enthusiastically and confidentially and the boy shakes his head confusingly.

The girl was just about to open her mouth again until these two adults come over, they looked furious.

"Peter! Maisie! Stay away from those strangers! Remember what we've told you guys before?" When the adults come closer I can see there's one blonde woman, red in the face, and one black haired man who looks equally furious. The minute they're in focus I can see the woman's gaze on my tattoos. Note to self, wear sleeves more often so I get less judgement.

"Stranger danger, But mum, they're nice-"

"Oh my god are those tattoos real!? Young man, what age are you?" The woman was definitely over-exaggerating, if she kept on like this there will be a scene and everyone will stare.

"21, 22 next month." Yeah November 25th today. I love how my birthday is the same day as Halloween. Halloween is such a fun time with a 'scary' and 'spooky' atmosphere.

"You're too young to have such tattoos, let alone so many." Yeah, but that's none of you business, I'm over eighteen and can do what I want.

"I understand your concern, but I am very healthy, honestly." I'm just trying to be nice when actually I hate you and don't have a clue what your point is of telling me this.

I look at Gerard and give him the 'make an excuse to leave please' look. He slightly nods and turn to these weird parents with a smile on his face.

"If we're over 18 we're allowed to do what we want within reason and we are both over 21 which means you can't tell us what to do within those reasons, you're not our parents and it's the law, you can't enslave us to do what you want." And here we see the wild Gerard dissing that woman like a boss. The tigress retreats with her partner and cubs with an angry expression from on her face. The poor cubs though.

"Poor kids who have to deal with them as parents." Gerard nods and smiles again. Agh he's smiling with his teeth this time. I can't help but smile myself.

"Will we continue the song?" I shake my head and Gerard's smile disappears.

"Why not? What other song would you like to play?" I pretend to think for a moment when actually I have the perfect song to serenade Gerard with.

"Can I sing?" Gerard smiles, I think he knows what song I'm going to play.

If you marry me,
Would you bury me?
Would you carry me to the end?

I'm not the best singer, but I can sing. Just not as well as Gerard can.

After singing Gerard and I were just about to leave until...

"Wait, can I just have, like, one more cup of coffee?"

"Um sure. Wait, how much have you drank today?"

"Seven but four of them were non caffeine. This one will be non caffeine too, promise."

"Okay I'm trusting you..." I hope you don't throw that trust away.