Gerard was in a really, really foul mood.
Everyone could tell, but I think I was probably the only one, other than maybe Mikey, who actually knew why.
"God, you're blowing this out of proportion." I groaned on the car ride home after school.
"I'm almost fourty, Frank! That's ancient! I'm almost middle-aged!" he whined.
"Oh, don't be so over-dramatic. You still look like you're in your twenties. Not only that, but you pick up guys and girls everywhere you go. That's got to be a sign." I said, nudging him.
"Yeah, but I'm like twice your age. That's so gross." He groaned. I didn't mention that he was actually more than twice my age.
"No, it's sexy." I said, leaning in for a kiss, which he returned unenthusiastically.
"Well, whatever. I'm just gonna ignore it." He said, putting his hands up in a surrender.
"And you think Mikey and I are just gonna let you do that? C'mon, Gee. It's gonna be the first birthday Mikey's been there for in three years. I said, batting my eyelashes. He sighed.
"God, you're joining in on the guiltripping too, then?"
"Huh?"
"Mikey's been using the coma card for the same reason." He said. I beamed – great minds think alike.
"Well, see? C'mon, Gee. I really want you to have a good birthday." I pouted, squeezing his hand. He sighed, running a hand through his already messy hair.
"Fine. Nothing massive though, okay? And don't tell anyone. And don't spend too much on me. Like, make me a card or suck my dick or something, okay? None of that fancy shit." He grumbled. I laughed and pecked him softly on the lips, undoing my seatbelt.
"Gee, your birthday's in like, three days. Do you really think I don't already have your stuff?" I teased, sliding out of the car and slamming the door before he could argue with me, chuckling all the way back to my house.
I wasn't lying, either. I had three main surprises planned for him (plus a few little extra things, but they weren't really important) and I'd already sorted out two of them. The third, however, was still in the process of being arranged.
"Aw, c'mon Mikey!" I said, nudging him. It was the lunch break on the day before Gerard's birthday (which, awkwardly, fell on a Wednesday, limiting the amount we could actually do because there was no way my Mom would let me sleep away on a school night. The joys of being 18, right?) and I met Mikey in the coffee shop. He chewed his lip.
"It's not like you're asking me to do something normal, Frank. This is fucking weird."
"But it's Gerard. Do you expect much else?"
"No. And I know it probably won't be as bad as I'm imagining-"
"Gee, thanks."
"But I just can't get my head around it." He shrugged.
"Dude, okay. You're a straight dude, right? I'm a gay dude who really isn't interested in you at all. No weirdness there, it's just like acting."
"Except for my brother jacking off in the corner." He snapped.
"Okay. Fine, yes, that'll be weird...but he won't even be looking at you. It's only 'cause he trusts you. Please, Mikey." I pleaded, grabbing his arm. He groaned.
"God, you're not gonna let me say no, are you?"
"No." I beamed.
"Fine. Shit, fine. The minute things get weird-"
