Thirty Five Days

16: Explanation

Gerard's POV

"Are you sitting comfortably? Good. Then let's begin."

I took a deep breath, trying to decide how best to begin this conversation. I had had a speech all prepared, apologising to Frank, asking him to continue talking to me. That had all changed when Mikey texted me about two minutes before they arrived, saying simply "he's gay". Now I had a chance with him I had no idea what to say to him. My confident act had become just that - an act. Rather than over thinking it, I decided to just start talking and hope for the best.

"As I said in my text, I don't imagine last night finished quite the way you had thought it was going to. However, I've spoken to Mikey quite a bit today and from that I've come to understand that perhaps it finished the way you wanted it to. Regardless of your opinion, I would like you to know that I do not regret kissing you and if you were not against it I would not be opposed to kissing you again. I'm sorry if this seems very forward but I don't know how long I'd be able to cope without knowing your opinion on the matter. So... there. That's all I wanted to say, I think."

I trailed off lamely, unwilling to look at Frank, in case Mikey had been wrong, or possibly worse - in case Mikey had been right but he didn't like me in return.

"This is the third time tonight that I've been unsure of what to say, and all three of those times it's been because of you. I don't mind at all that you kissed me - I was more upset that you left straight away afterwards. Shit, I'm not very good at this but, as you say, I would not be opposed to you kissing me again."

Without an second thoughts or hesitation, I crossed the floor so I was standing right in front of him. Slowly, he stood up too, turning his face up to meet mine.

The first time I had kissed him, it had been uncertain, hesitant and brief. I was not going to make the same mistakes the second time.

***

As far as I was concerned, we could have continued kissing all night however my brother and grandma appeared to have a different idea. It was only the sudden appearance of Mikey in my peripheral vision that alerted me to his presence. He coughed awkwardly, hovering in the doorway, so I reluctantly pulled away from Frank.

The small annoyed noise that he let slio as I looked at Mikey made me less annoyed for a brief second, until it occurred to me that it would have been possible for me to keep kissing him, were it not for Mikey. That definitely returned the pissed off feelings I had been having.

"What do you want?"

"Grandma said that food's ready so, if you want to eat, you need to come now. She also said that she hopes you're both still 'presentable'."

The speech marks he drew with his fingers around the last word made me wonder exactly what my grandma thought was happening between Frank and I right now. I quickly decided that that didn't matter and that all I cared about was the fact that 'Frank and I' could be a thing.

***

Throughout dinner Frank kept zoning out and having to be reminded of whatever we were talking about. By the end of the meal, my grandma seemed almost irritated with him. I just thought it was cute. Occasionally, he would blush a little, normally after we made eye contact or I brushed my foot against his leg. The shade of red his cheeks turned at these little things was endearing and made me wonder how he would react to anything... more serious.

AN:

Hi!
Sorry it took so long (again) to get another chapter uploaded. I go to uni next week which means updates should start happening more frequently from then. I have already written the next chapter and a bit so those should be coming very soon, possibly even before the end of the week. However, Thursday is my 18th birthday so no promises that both updates will happen this week.
Thank you so much for still reading this story, I cannot believe it has over 200 reads! As always, don't forget to vote/comment if you enjoyed the story :)