On your knees // Bandom

36. Mistletoe is for quitters

Franks father had come over for Christmas. He had spent Christmas eve god knows where, drinking eggnog alone watching the stars, or losing himself just a little in a dive bar on some other side of town.

Christmas eve was hard for him, as a kid his parents would always fight. He'd read those books, the ones that say the whole house was quiet with anticipation, and fantasise that this year it would come true. It never did.

Thats not the point of this, however, and he'd gotten over any Christmas day inhibitions when Frank was born.

He would come over to his old house and sit in his old living room and silently apologise to his son for not learning from his own family and somehow fucking up his marriage.

So there they were, gathered around the tree, Franks parents on an armchair each, Linda with a hot chocolate and sweater, looking like the picture of winter goodwill. Frank was on the floor with the presents, he was as excited as... well... a kid on Christmas.

His phone started to ring and his dad's face caved in.

"Frank? It's Christmas. You said your phone was on silent."
"Uhh," Frank distractedly pulled his phone from his back-pocket. "It is. This must be Jamia or Gee."
He answered it, disregarding his father.

"It's Christmas, what's wrong?" He paused, listening to the response. "-Hey, hey... yes, of course, you can come."
"Frank Iero! Are you inviting people around on Christmas?"
"No, don't worry," Frank said to the phone, "I don't care... just come... alright."
"Frank." His father said, serious. "Christmas is for families. You can't invite random people over!"

"Is it Gee, honey?" Linda asked.
"Yeah, and they're not a random person, dad."
"You can't just-"
"Of course they can come."
"Linda!"
"Gee is family. They decorated this tree, for heaven's sake. I'm assuming Christmas is difficult with their own family," Frank nodded "So they're coming. This is my house, remember?."

The doorbell went. "I'm just gonna," Frank motioned to the door, his mom nodded. It didn't lessen the tension.

"Shut the door so you don't let the cold air in," She called.

Frank did as he was told and welcomed in his boyfriend. Gee was wearing a hoodie, but it definitely wasn't warm enough in midwinter.

"Hey, " Frank pulled them into a hug.
Gee pushed him away, "I'm cold, you don't-"
"More reason to hug you." Frank buried his face in the frozen hoodie.
"Are your parents okay with me coming? It's Christmas."
"Dads... whatever. Mom loves you."
They nodded.

"Shame there's no mistletoe," Gee commented.
"We don't need mistletoe."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah," Frank cupped Gee's face in his hands. "But my parents and, more importantly, my presents, are right next door."
"Fine."
"Also, my dad still kinda... thinks I'm straight."
"How?"
"Beats me, but, like, don't make eye contact."
Gee rolled their eyes and followed Frank into his living room.

"Thanks for letting me be here on Christmas, I just.." They didn't finish the sentence and instead sat down on one side of the sofa.

On one hand, they knew this place as well as their own home, and had spent uncountable hours curled up there. On the other hand they did not have a great relationship with their boyfriends father.

"Open your present, Frank." His father commanded, clearly determined to ignore the newest addition. If he couldn't win, he wouldn't fight.

Frank was trying not to let his mood slip. If anything, it was even better with Gee here. He just couldn't shake the block in his throat, the feeling that he should tell his dad everything, whatever the consequences.