TONIGHT WE'RE GOLD

FIVE

When Frank wakes up to the smell of coffee, he jumps off his bed – no, he's not in his bed. He's in someone's couch, and where's Lois?

He looks around, trying to take it in, still half asleep, and remembers.

Gerard.

He's at Gerard's place.

He looks at his phone to check the time. 6:51 a.m.

It's still too early, and his brain is trying to process everything, when Gerard is walking back from the kitchen. 'Good morning, sleepy head,' he says, handing him the biggest cup of coffee. 'You set your alarm at seven to go feed Lois, so I thought why not get up earlier and have coffee ready?'

'You really are the best, huh?' He sets the mug on the table, and reaches his arms around Gerard pulling him closer. 'How did I get so lucky?'

'You bought me with coffee.'

'Can I just ask one more question? Did we –?'

Gerard laughs. 'You really don't remember? How did you make it before getting sober?'

'I think that's what killed all of my brain cells.'

'Well, the answer is no. You insisted on watching the show based on my book series, but you were so stoned you wouldn't stopped laughing at everything, before falling asleep.'

'Oh.' He hides his face in Gerard's stomach. 'I'm sure it's a great show, and even better books. I was just tired, okay?'

'I understand.'

'Did I do any other embarrassing stuff?' Gerard makes a thinking face, then shakes his head. 'Well in my defense, your weed is really good.'

'I know.' They drink their coffee, and Frank can't stop cuddling next to Gerard, and kissing him, wishing he could stay there all day. But he has a dog to feed. So he gets up, fixes his hair in the mirror, and starts to head out, before turning to Gerard. 'You wanna come with me? I'm sure Lois will be happy to see you.' Gerard smiles, as if he was waiting for him to say something, and follows him.

Once outside, Frank still doesn't know if he's okay with holding hands, so he does his best not to reach for it. Except is Gerard the one who reaches for Frank's, and he can't help smiling. 'So – last night –'

'Last night was – fucking amazing,' Frank continues, with a grin. 'The best, really.'

Soon enough, they make it to Frank's apartment. He lives in the first floor, and they can hear Lois barking as soon as they enter the building. 'She knows you're here,' Frank assures him. And just like he expected, when he opens the door, Lois runs to Gerard and greets him.

'Aww she likes me better.'

'I don't blame her. I'd like you better, too.' Frank refills her food and water bowls, while Gerard plays with her, and while she's eating, Gerard looks around. There are a couple guitars hanging on the walls, and a couple more by the corner. Other than that, it looks pretty ordinary and basic. And clean, for a man who lives on his own. Is he one of those clean freaks? 'Nice place,' he says.

'Thank you. I mean, I know you're only saying it to be nice after I was just in your place, and other than those guitars, there's nothing of value here, but I appreciate it.'

'Well, I don't agree with that in the least.' And so, to prove his point, Gerard walks up to Frank, pressing him against the nearest wall, and pushes his mouth onto his. 'That dog over there is also very valuable.'

They both take Lois for a walk at the park, holding hands and laughing, not talking about anything in particular, just enjoying the morning bliss after the perfect date. 'Are you even real?' Frank asks, sitting next to him on a bench.

'Don't I seem real or what?'

'Not really. You're more like an angel. Turning my life around for the better.'

Gerard can't help laughing at that. 'Now I'm an angel?'

'Yep.'

They head back, dropping off Gerard at his house. 'I wish I could stay longer and that we could hang out all day, but I work today, and I gotta take a shower,' Frank says, sounding more like a kid throwing a tantrum than a thirty-eight-year-old man.

Gerard leans in to kiss him, magically stopping his tantrum. 'Tell you what. Leave Lois here before you go to work, and when you're off, you come here and stay the night.'

'I like how that sounds.' He kisses him back. 'But are you sure about Lois? I mean – leaving her here and all.'

'We're good friends now, and she doesn't have to be all alone in your apartment. We can make each other company.'

'And what about your cats?'

'They're the sweetest motherfuckers! They'll get along!'

Frank is back at three thirty, bringing a bag of dry food, and another one of treats, plus her favorite toys. 'Look at you! You look great in that uniform!' Gerard says as he opens the door.

'You don't have to say that to sleep with me, you know?'

'Oh, no? Then – what do I have to do?'

'I – gotta go.'

But before, Gerard pulls him close for a kiss.

'I like you, you know?' Frank says. 'It feels good to say it.'

'Good, cause I like when you say it. I mean, I like you, too.' They kiss one last time, and then Frank is off. 'Have a good day!'

Seeing Gerard waving at him from the porch, wearing long sporty shorts and his hoodie with all the holes in it is the best view, and Frank can't help imagining coming home to that every day.