TONIGHT WE'RE GOLD

SIX

After a long weekend shift – the kind where the last customer walks in just one minute before closing and expects you to serve them, and then takes their sweet time, and where they all come in groups and ask for separate checks –, Frank pulls in the driveway at eleven thirty-two. The only thing that kept him going was knowing he'd spend the night with Gerard.

He grabs his backpack from the backseat – he brought an extra change of clothes, of course –, and walks to the door, almost skipping.

'Come in! It's open!' Gerard yells from inside, so that's what he does. And before he even closes the door all the way, Gerard's arms are already around his shoulders, and he's kissing him. 'You smell like breadsticks,' he says as they part lips.

'No, I stink! But also, brought you something –' And hands him a to-go paper bag full of breadsticks. 'I told the cook to make an extra batch. It's still warm, but you can heat it up if it's not enough.'

'You know what? I think I might keep you.' Frank mocks a celebratory dance, while Gerard walks to the kitchen to heat them up. 'So how was work?'

'Awful.' He looks exhausted, his eyes only half open, and he can barely move. 'But I don't wanna talk about it.'

'Then, let's not talk about it.' He puts his arms around Frank, hugging him really tight.

'I feel better now.'

'Oh, yeah? What about this?' He presses him against the counter, arms on either side, and kisses him, tongue and everything. 'I was thinking, we watch a movie, cuddle in the couch. What do you think?'

'Anything you want sounds great, really.' He kisses him again, and rests his head on his shoulder. 'I missed you so much, and it's only been twenty-four hours since we first kissed.'

'You're counting?'

'Of course I am. And I would love nothing more than sit down with you and do nothing, but I stink, and I need a shower.'

'I don't mind. You'll taste like breadsticks.'

'First of all, I do mind. I smell more like grease than anything. Second of all, you have a problem, sir.' He kisses Gerard's neck, and then starts to walk away. 'Where's your bathroom?' Gerard takes him upstairs to the bathroom in the hallway, and tells him where to get towels and whatever he needs. 'Thanks. I'll be quick, I promise.'

He steps out of the shower ten minutes later, and puts on sweatpants and a white t-shirt. At home, he'd usually be in boxers all day, but he doesn't want to seem too easy. Most likely nothing would happen, but just in case, he puts on some fancy lotion, and he's ready.

When he joins Gerard downstairs, he's already done with his breadsticks, and re-watching The Office. 'Damn, look at you!' he yells. Frank does his best attempt not to blush but it's impossible. He gets to the couch, and the minute he sits down, Gerard pulls him by the arm to kiss him. 'Happy one day anniversary.'

Frank laughs. 'We're really doing that?'

'We're old. We can do whatever we want.' Gerard turns on the DVD and put on The Lord of the Rings, while Frank celebrates. Since they've seen it already, they just talk, sharing popcorn, and stealing kisses from each other.

'So how did it go with Lois?'

'Great! She's the best! She did miss you, though.'

'Aww poor baby!' Soon, they start talking about other things. 'So,' Frank starts, not sure how to say it. 'I know you mentioned you've never been married, and that you're not that social. But you've been with someone, right?' Gerard just nods, clearly uncomfortable with the topic. But he knows it's something he has to talk about. 'You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.'

'Mainly girls, though. Though it was a while ago.' Frank nods. 'The first person I came out to besides my brother, was my friend Lynz. We were actually dating back then.' He then turns to Frank. 'I was thirty-three.'

Frank reaches for his hand.

'And besides this one guy I met a few years ago at the bar, I haven't been with anyone since.'

'That's fine. You got me now. That's the best prize.'

'It really is.'

Frank smiles, and leans in to kiss him. But as soon he does, Gerard pulls him, almost like he's craving it. His hands go under his shirt, while Frank sucks on his neck. He knows if he keeps going, he'll want more, and it's too soon to go any further. So he has to control himself, as hard as it is. As he pulls away, running his hands down Gerard's face, smiling, and locks a strand of hair behind his ear, unable to handle how beautiful he is. He wants to take care of him, make sure he knows he likes being with him just sitting together doing nothing, and not because he wants to have sex with him. He just hopes he'll want to.

And just then, Gerard catches him off guard, pushing him forward so he's on his back, his mouth attacking his, his hands exploring his body. Frank tries to stop him to say something, to take it slow, but he tastes so good, and instead pulls him closer. Gerard helps him to take off his shirt, and his hands run through his chest, amazed at all the tattoos that adorn his body. 'You're so –,' Gerard says between gasps. 'So fucking beautiful.'

Frank thinks twice about taking off Gerard's clothes because he doesn't want to make him uncomfortable. So he just lets him take control of the situation. Which he does. After taking off his hoodie himself, his mouth attaches to Frank's again, as he starts dry-humping him, gasping in Frank's mouth. 'We can take it slow if you want,' Frank manages to say. 'I'll be here. Whenever you want.' He sees Gerard's eyes soften as he says that. 'I don't want you to feel pressured. I'm with you because you're literally the most interesting person I've ever met.'

'Am I?'

Frank nods. Gerard kisses him again, as his hand travel all the way down to his underwear, and reaches for his dick. Fuck! is the only thing going through Frank's mind the whole time. He doesn't last long, though, and falls asleep soon after he comes, Gerard cuddling next to him, with his hand resting on Frank's chest. If this is how the rest of their lives is going to be, he can't wait. Frank falling asleep next to him, waking up and having coffee together, going to the park with Lois. Maybe he had to wait a long time to find someone like him, but it was totally worth it.