Winter Screams and Starbucks - littleblackghost

Part 8

Gerard was sat at the bar when the show ended, half the crowd making their way outside, when he felt a hand on his back.
"Glad you made it," Frank smiled, slipping onto a stool beside him.
His mouth was still stained with blood, and he had the beginnings of a black eye. His white t-shirt was soaked in sweat and blood, and his pants weren't much better.

Gerard gave a small smile. "Told you I would."

Frank smiled again, before he waved the bar man over. "Two beers," he said, pulling his wallet out.
"Uh," Gerard said, eyes on the beverages. "I don't, uh, I don't drink."

Frank raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"
Fuck, Gerard thought. He really did not want to get into this. "I just uh...I had a problem, a few years back...it's best I stick to the soda." He shrugged apologetically.

Frank watched him for a second, before he smiled again. "No problem," he said, before he shouted to the barman to swap a beer for a soda.

Gerard thanked him, before he said, "Sorry, I know, it sounds a bit-"
"No, dude, it's cool. It's admirable, you know?" He said, sipping on his beer. "Like, you came out here, and you're sitting at a fucking bar, and you just turned down a drink. It takes a strong man to do that."

Gerard smiled, and took a drink of his soda.

"So, uh," Frank said, rubbing at the back of his neck. "James said you, uh, didn't bring a plus one?"
Gerard shook his head. "Nah, Mikey was already coming."

He could have sworn Frank's face dropped when he said that.

"Oh, right," Frank said quietly. "Is Mikey, uh, your-"
"Brother," Gerard said quickly. "He works for Eyeball Records, he was trying to sign one of the bands."
"Oh. Oh!" Frank said, his eyes suddenly alight again. "Cool. Sweet."

Gerard smiled, and lifted his glass to his mouth again.

"Uh, we finished recording today," Frank said, eyes on his beer.
"Oh." Gerard said, a drop in his stomach making him feel queasy. "That's, uh, that's good. Right?"
Frank shrugged, and finished his bottle. "I guess. I mean, we worked hard and shit. It'll just be sad, you know?"
"What will?"
Frank shrugged again. "I'll miss seeing you every day."

Gerard felt his face redden. "Yeah?"
Frank nodded. "Which is why," he said, leaned forward, one hand on Gerard's thigh, "I really hope you're gonna come to the after show party with me."

Gerard felt a lump in his throat, and nodded, knowing full well he didn't have full use of his voice right now.

Frank smiled, and sat back, hand still on Gerard's thigh. "Awesome."

--

The after show turned out to be a party back at the studio the band had been recording in, just across the street from Gerard's favourite coffee place.

Of course, when Gerard arrived with the band, Mikey was already there, deep in conversation with someone or other, an eyebrow raised when he watched Gerard walk in behind Frank.

Gerard ducked his head, trying to hide his red cheeks, when he felt a hand touch his hip. He looked up to see Frank smiling at him, and handing him a can of Diet Coke.

"Thanks," he mumbled popping the can.
"No problem...uh, do you know him?" Frank said cautiously, eyeing Mikey who was watching them from across the room.
Gerard took a gulp and nodded. "That's my brother."
"Ahhh," Frank said, face relaxing, and waving a hand in Mikey's direction. The younger Way brother's eyes widened slightly, before he waved back.

"You guys are his favourite band," Gerard remarked. "He's probably pissed at me right now."
"Really? That's kinda awesome." Frank said, leaning his hip against a table.
Gerard nodded. "He was the one that kinda introduced me to you guys."
Frank grinned widely.
"He thinks it's kinda weird, though," he continued, not quite sure why he was still talking.
"What's weird?"
"Like, that I've been having coffee and shit with you...like, you guys are really big around here."

Frank shrugged. "I'm just a normal guy. I drink coffee, wear ripped pants and hit on hot comic writers. I just happen to sing in a band."
Gerard's eyes were wide again. His heart had stopped beating around the part where Frank said hot comic writers.

"Huh?" He finally managed to choke out.
Frank gave him a cheeky grin. "What?"
"You just...you said...huh?"

Frank shifted forward slightly, so they were only around an inch or so apart.
"I feel kinda creepy, you know," he said, eyes on Gerard's chest. "I've been reading your comics for a few years now, and suddenly I'm trying to work out in my head what's the best way to convince you to come home with me."

Fuck, Gerard thought. He was pretty sure if Frank looked any lower, he'd see the growing lump that was his crotch.

"You could just ask?" Gerard said in a broken voice.
Frank looked up at him, meeting his eyes. "Yeah?"
Gerard nodded, swallowing. "I mean...I've been listening to your band for a while,
and I've been trying to stop imagining you naked for at least two weeks now."

For the first time since he'd met him, Gerard was more than sure he'd just made Frank Iero blush.

"Gerard Way," Frank said, leaning against Gerard's chest now. "Will you come home with me tonight?",
Gerard let a smile creep across his lips. "I'd love to, Frank Iero."