Frerard-Complicated

Chapter 10: Happiness

Frank:

Over the next few months, Frank and Gerard developed a routine. When Frank got back from college (Gerard had discovered he wasn't going, and demanded that he went at least four times a week, much to Frank's horror) he would go straight to the shop. Gerard would have done all the work that needed to be done there, so all they would do for the rest of the day was sit behind the counter, so the shop appeared empty, discouraging the already scarce customer base, and talk. They talked for hours, about everything under the sun. If any brave or foolish customer dared to venture into the shop, which happened about once a day, Frank and Gerard took turns being spectacurlarly rude and unhelpful to them. They rolled their eyes, tutted and sighed until the customer grabbed the nearest CD to them, flung some money across the counter and fled. Frank still hadn't met the boss yet. The store was one of a chain, dotted all round the state, and he guessed that the Belleville branch had offended him in some way, so he stayed away. That, or the other shops weren't as fucking depressing. But Frank didn't mind. It was their depressing shack of a shop, their place of safety, where Gerard could hide from his past, and Frank from the expectations for his future.

For Frank hadn't told his newly fragmented family about Gerard. For all they knew, he was still happily with Jamia. He knew this bothered Gerard, who had gladly and proudly introduced Frank to his family as his boyfriend. However Gerard hadn't pushed Frank into telling them, simply nodding sadly and agreeing that of course now wasn't a good time. He then made huge puppy-dog eyes at Frank, who had to look away from him quickly before he gave in. He was convinced that no one could resist those eyes, although if anyone could, he would have put money on it being Frank's father. Frank's father was one of those men who made faces when anything or anyone gay was mentioned, who referred to gay men as 'fags' and lesbians as 'dykes'. He was strictly Catholic, but that wasn't the whole problem. He also had a cruel streak a mile wide, and loved picking on people for any 'weakness' he could find in them, whether it was a fat girl or a short guy, such as Frank himself. Frank knew that his father's teasing of his mother was one of the major reasons they never spoke anymore.

He tentatively decided to raise the matter with Gerard again one afternoon. They sat behind the counter, clutching huge mugs of coffee. The room smelled of the coffee and the overpowering smell of damp that constantly lingered in the room, no matter how many air fresheners they used to try and banish it. Rain beat down on the windows like thousands of tiny hands, and it was bitterly cold. They were huddled together, faces red from the coffee's steam. Frank looked at Gerard's face, which was pale as ice, with dark pink cheeks, and thought for the millionth time how perfect he was.This just made him dread the upcoming conversation even more. "So...Gerard...I've been um...well....we" he said, then paused, blushing. For fucks sake, why couldn't he even form a coherent sentence when he was around this man? He tried to carry on over the sound of Gerard giggling. "Um...I know you introduced me to your family, and thats awesome but my family's got no idea about um....how I am and well they still think I'm with Jamia. So it might not be best if we told them about us just yet." Phew, a somewhat coherent and intelligent sentence! Pat on the back for you, Mr Iero! He looked up, grinning proudly at Gerard. But Gerard wasn't beaming in wonder at the awesomeness of Frank's accomplishment, he was blinking fast and staring into his coffee mug like it had just done something uniquely interesting and impressive. Oh shit.

"Gerard?" he said, reaching over to touch the side of his arm. Gerard looked up at him with suspiciously watery eyes. "Thats fine Frank, really it is. Awesome! I mean everyone else in the world thinks you're with Jamia but I know you're with me, which is all I need. Don't worry about it Frank, its totally fine" he said, voice rising to insanely high levels, even for him. He may even have continued speaking, his voice at levels only dogs could hear, for all Frank knew. Frank bit his lip. He'd fucked up and hurt Gerard's feelings. Of course he was going to be upset that he was being kept a guilty secret, you total fuckwit! He tightened his grip on Gerard's arm. "Gee, I'm sorry, I didn't think, I really do want them to meet you, honestly." Gerard looked up from his coffee: "Its just, I've never been introduced to someone's parents as their boyfriend before." Oh shit, of course he hadn't. Poor guy. It's got to hurt, being a secret in every single relationship you'd ever been in, from Drew the footballer to Mikey's married teacher. Frank sighed. Fuck it. His parents would just have to deal.

He put his mug down and stood up, pulling Gerard up with him. "You know what, my parents are just gonna have to live with it. They were gonna find out sometime right? Well now is as good a time as any. It'll give them something new to shout about, at least." Gerard smiled wide and his eyes seemed to light up, almost changing colour to a pale green. God, Frank loved his smile. "Okay?" he asked.Gerard beamed even wider and nodded. Then he wrapped his arms around Frank and kissed him, sweet and light. They stood and kissed for a few moments, holding each other closer. Suddenly, the door to the shop burst open, making the little bell tinkle alarmingly. They jumped apart, but not before the person in the doorway saw them. Jamia stood there, wearing the same grey hoodie she had worn when she last came into the shop, a lifetime ago. Her mouth dropped as she took the two of them in, standing facing her awkwardly, with sheepish expressions on their faces. "OH. MY. GOD! What the FUCK is going on in here?" Frank took a step towards her. "Jamie..its not what it looks like!" he shouted. Jamia took a step backwards. "Well then what is it? WHAT IS IT?" She screamed, tears falling from her eyes. Defeated, Frank took a step forward. "Jamie, please, you can't tell anyone about this! Please!" Jamia took one final look at them, shouting "Oh, just try and STOP me, Frank Iero, you bastard" Then she turned and ran out of the door, slamming it behind her.

Hey guys, sorry I'm so awful at updating, I'll try and be more regular I promise!! Thanks for reading