TONIGHT WE'RE GOLD

SIXTEEN

'You're still looking at it?' Frank says first thing when he wakes up. He's been staring at Gerard for the past ten minutes, while Gerard can't stop looking at his ring and how his hand looks with it.

'It's just so – surreal, you know?' Gerard says with a smile.

'What is it?'

'We're engaged.'

Frank smiles at the thought and kisses his naked shoulder. 'You are so surreal, and I still don't know how I was lucky enough to find you. You're my angel.'

Gerard turns around to kiss him. 'I can't believe I'll get to have you next to me for the rest of my life.'

'Are you sure you want that?'

'More than anything.' They kiss again, as if it was the first time they do. 'So when did you buy it? You didn't even know I was coming! You had a plan or something?'

Frank shakes his head. 'I had some savings, though. Me and James went to the mall when I arrived here, to buy some gear. I walked by a jewelry store, and after that talk we had back home, I knew I wanted to do it right because that's what you deserve. And I looked at rings and I knew I had to buy this.'

'It's so beautiful.' Frank does his best not to cry. 'We're engaged!'

They stay in bed like that for a while, just enjoying each other's company and warmth. Gerard makes breakfast, which Frank is thankful for because he missed that, and even though Frank wants to stay with him, he has to go to work. 'What are you gonna do?' he asks Gerard.

'I don't know. Maybe I'll get an uber and go to the mall or the bookstore.'

'Gerard Way! You're actually going out of the house? Who are you and what did you do to my fiancé?'

'I'm in LA! I'm supposed to do touristy stuff.'

'Just kidding. I love you.'

***

Frank tries to be patient with James, but it's getting hard. It's one crazy idea after the next, and all Frank wants is to go back home to Gerard.

They're listening to the demos in the booth, Frank trying to hide his reaction. 'You don't like it,' James says.

'It's not – that.' But it is. 'It's not that I don't like it. It just needs something more.'

'I told you. Vocals.'

'Have you found someone to do them?' James didn't answer. 'I'm just saying, we only have a couple weeks left to record, and this is taking a long time. I don't want to stay in LA longer than I should because I want to go home with Gerard. So if you please, just –'

'How did it go last night?'

'Don't change the subject!'

'I'm just interested in my friend's life!' James says. 'Can't I? Just because you're producing this album doesn't mean we're not friends anymore.'

Frank has to bite his tongue. There are many other reasons why they're not that close anymore, but this isn't the time. And he honestly wants to tell someone the news. 'Fine,' Frank says, smiling bigger than ever. 'We got engaged.'

'What?! That's amazing! Congratulations!' He gets up to hug Frank. 'I'd take you for a drink, but I know you don't do that. So, you want a Coke?'

Frank laughs. 'You're fine. I appreciate it.'

'Are you sure you don't want the day off to go with him?'

'I'm sure – we need to finish this.' They get back to work, and now the mood is different.

In a matter of hours when Chad, from the label goes to check how they're doing, James tells him about Frank getting engaged. 'We should celebrate!' Chad says.

'Don't worry,' Frank tells him. He doesn't want to mention he's a recovering alcoholic, and he still wants to keep his life private, so he's not that excited about the idea. 'I appreciate it, though.'

'I'm not taking no for an answer, Frankie.' He hates when people other than his mom and Gerard calls him that, but he takes a deep breath or he'll punch him. 'See you at nine. I'll send you the address.'

Welp.

***

'Frank, is going to be okay,' Gerard assures him as they get off the car and Frank gives the keys to the valet. 'You can just get water. I'll get water, too, if that makes you feel more comfortable.'

Frank is nervous. 'It's not just that.' They walk in and Frank tells the host he's with Chad, so they follow her to the back of the fancy restaurant. Frank looks for Gerard's hand, locking their fingers together. 'It's just –'

But he doesn't need to finish his sentence. When they make it to Chad's table, it's obvious by his reaction what Frank meant. He wasn't expecting Frank to be engaged to a man.

And they both know it shouldn't be a big deal. Chad and his wife just thought Frank was straight. But Gerard knows he's still struggling with being out. One thing is being out back home to their loved ones, another is being out in the business. And he knows that caused the depression that led him to his addiction.

He squeezes Frank's hand for support. 'Hey, there,' Frank says in a nervous tone. 'So – this is my fiancé, Gerard.'

'Hi,' Gerard says, waving his hand.

'Nice to meet you!'  Chad tells him and shakes his hand. James hugs them both, congratulating them. The rest of the night goes smoothly, and they talk about the album and Gerard's day at The Grove. Macey, Chad's wife, asks them how they met, and Frank tells them, blushing the entire time.

He's happy and though he was scared at first at how they would react, he feels accepted, and that makes everything better.

Chad gives Frank a break for the rest of the week so he spends it with Gerard, giving James time to keep working on his ideas. Frank insists he doesn't need to, but Chad tells him one more time that he won't take no for an answer.

***

So the next day, Frank and Gerard go to the beach for a picnic, making out in front of everyone. They go to the Griffith observatory, and drive down Sunset Boulevard. Frank takes him to different locations of famous films, and they watch movies in a cemetery. Frank will never admit it, but he wouldn't mind living in LA if Gerard is with him.

'I don't want you to go,' Frank says. They're lying on a towel in the middle of the beach, watching the sunset.

'I don't want to go either.' He kisses his fiancé. 'But someone has to take care of Lois and the cats. And I have to meet with my editor. But you'll be home soon.'

'Can I come with you?'

'I would love nothing more, but you're an important producer now, and it'll be worth it, okay?'

'Okaaaay...' Frank mumbles.

The next morning, Frank drops him off at the airport, not wanting to let go. 'I'll be home soon, okay?'

'I can't wait.' They kiss one last time before Gerard heads to his gate.

Frank leaves for the studio, and James is already waiting for him in the booth. 'Look who's here!' he says. 'I thought you weren't coming.'

'Got stuck in traffic.'

'Okay. I got a proposal, man.' Frank gave him a confused look. Wasn't this already crazy enough? Now what? 'What do you think about singing for Death Spells?'

Frank is surprised by the question, but he can't deny he's tempted.