The Flare

The Swing Set

       The next two weeks passed in a somewhat routine fashion. Brendon's fever was gone and his cough was steadily receding. He was still weak but he was back on his feet and growing stronger with every passing day.

       Frank, however, was exceeding expectations and it seemed that in addition to his complimentary Flaremark, he also had the capability to heal a little more quickly than normal. By the time three days had passed, his bruised ribs were yellowed with healing.

       Since the night of the compound, Gerard had been avoiding being alone with Frank, so naturally he was frazzled that seemingly every morning he found Frank, shirtless in the living area, doing crunches. The lab wasn't exactly large so keeping his distance wasn't always easy. Gerard had decided that night that the risk involved was just too great to allow himself to succumb to Frank's charms.

       Frank was still all but a stranger to him. And he kept too many things secret to really know much about his life or what made him the way he was. Frank could be mercurial and downright cruel at times. But he also seen that Frank could be kind and loyal and he respected him, but to him, that wasn't a good enough reason to kiss a guy. He knew how to tempt Gerard though and he didn't hold back.

        During the two weeks that Billie and Brendon kept them under lockdown, Frank had abandoned his toboggan after Gerard's admission of attraction towards his ears. And it could hardly be a coincidence Frank appeared at Gerard's door late one night, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist and his skin glistening with water droplets.
“Do you have a hair brush?” the smaller man inquired, smiling innocently. Gerard slowly closed the door without a word, his face hot and his pants growing tight.

       Needless to say, it had been a long couple weeks before Brendon called a meeting in the living area.
“Okay, so I know you're all itching to get back out there,” he began as the young men sat across from him at the table, “if it were up to me, I'd keep you inside for at least a month after that stunt Frank pulled.”
Frank just shrugged, “I got the job done, didn't I?”
“You did,” Brendon conceded with a sigh, “and I expect you'll do the same today.”

       The young men about burst from their seats with happiness.
“Calm down, you heathens,” Brendon chided, a smile playing on his lips, “it's not a huge deal but Billie needs a new pair of garden shears… though I couldn't see anything wrong with the old ones, so I suspect he's just taking pity on you three.” He pulled out an old hand drawn map that was worn and yellowed with years of use.

       He pointed to the southeastern corner of the map, “it's been a while since I've been out but last I checked, there were the remains of a pretty large garden supply store around here. See what you can find there.” The trio were already pushing out of their seats.
“Wait,” Brendon called softly, “be careful today. There's no reason to go near the compound but do not let your guard down.” The men nodded respectfully.
“And please,” Brendon added with a smirk, “no more strays… No offense, Frank.”
“None taken,” Frank replied with a chuckle.

       Just then Billie popped his head around the corner.
“Hurry back, guys,” Billie directed, pushing his glasses up his nose, “the tomatoes are ready and I need your help, Frank.” Over those last two weeks, whether out of guilt for what he had said or because he was genuinely interested, Frank had taken to assisting Billie with their hydroponic crops. Billie seemed quite pleased to have a pupil to pass his knowledge onto. Frank nodded happily and they adjourned to prepare for their journey.

       Later, the trio dug through the wreckage of the garden supply shop, happy just to be outside of the cramped lab.
“Are these the right ones,” Mikey called holding a long pair of sheers over his head.
“No, those are hedging shears,” Frank explained with a laugh, “we need bypass shears, they're small with hooked blades.”
“Like these?” Gerard asked, presenting him with a small set of shears. Frank grinned widely beneath his mask.