EARLY SUNSETS

03 .wanna hang out sometime?.

Gerard lived in the opposite side of town, and it was a miracle that Frank's car made it being so low on gas and without it breaking down.

Frank couldn't be more nervous. He didn't know exactly why. He did like Gerard. A lot if he was honest with himself, but he wouldn't admit it. They'd known each other for less than a month, and all they knew about each other was how their lips tasted, or that Gerard gave the best blowjobs. Yet for some reason Frank wanted more.

He wanted to know about his day, he wanted to know what he was afraid of, his favorite food. But he knew Gerard wasn't ready to have a conversation. But they had twenty minutes to fill. 'So –,' he started, his voice breaking. 'You're not taking me somewhere to kill me, right?'

Gerard just laughed, and Frank got even more nervous. 'No – but if I was, why would I tell you?'

'You have a point.' There was silence for a second. 'But before you kill me, why don't we get to know each other a little better? I know all you need to know is that I'm the best kisser, but it's a good way to waste the time instead of this silence that is driving me nuts.'

'Okay.'

'Fine, let's start. Favorite pizza topic?'

'Pepperoni,' Gerard answers.

'Pepperoni? Yikes.'

'Whatever. My turn. Favorite holiday.'

'Easy. Halloween.' And so over the next fifteen minutes, they learned quite a lot about each other. Frank learned that Gerard was an intern in Cartoon Network, which he thought was pretty cool, and that he wanted to make his own comic. He also found out he was terrified of needles, and that he played Peter Pan in a school play. While Gerard found out that Frank's hair got covered in glue by his friends when they were bored, so he made into fake dreads. 'Why don't you chop it off?' he asked.

'Are you saying you don't like it?'

'No...' But he couldn't help laughing.

That's when they made it to Gerard's house. 'So this is it, huh?' Frank asked. It was just a simple house in the middle of a very ordinary street.

'It's my parents' house, actually.'

'Oh – so you still live with them?'

'Is that – bad?'

'No, just asking.' Though Frank couldn't help wondering how if he was still in the closet, he would bring a guy home and pretend it was nothing, or the fact that he'd probably have to introduce Frank to his family. No pressure.

'I have a separate entrance, though –' So he led him to the steps that took him to his basement room slash apartment, and open the door. 'I'm sorry about the mess. I wasn't expecting any visits.'

And as soon as the dim light went on, Frank was amazed by his room. It was more like a nerd paradise. He had collectible swords, action figures, Star Wars stuff, and drawings and books everywhere. 'Nice,' he said. And before he could say another word, Gerard had already turned around, and pressed his lips against his, his hand holding his neck as he pushed him to the bed.

'So this is what you brought me to your place for?' Frank said, laughing nervously.

'You got me.' Gerard was now on top of him, sucking on the tender skin of his neck. He could hear Frank moaning under him. God, he liked him more than he thought. 'Sorry –,' he said and got up, jumping off the bed.

'Not again!' Frank yelled.

Gerard was laughing maniacally. 'I invited you to watch a movie. I'm gonna go get snacks, okay?' He was back five minutes later, carrying a bag of cookies, beers and some candy. He put on the Lord of the Rings DVD, and then joined Frank. They didn't even watch the movie, though – they had both watched it countless times – and instead spent the whole time joking around and making out. By the time the movie was over, Frank had already fallen asleep, his arm around Gerard, his head on his shoulder.

Gerard smiled at the cute view, unable to believe his luck.

If only he could open up and tell him how he felt.

For now, he wrapped his arm around Frank, resting his chin on his awful hair, and dozed off too.