EARLY SUNSETS

10 .we'll have a real shitty time.

'Happy birthday!' Gerard said as soon as Frank woke up.

'Thank you,' he mumbled and snuggled closer, hiding his face in the nook of his neck, breathing him in. 'Please, tell me my gift is we're going to stay here all day.'

'But you have classes, and I thought we were going out to drink.'

'Fine. But can we stay here a little longer?' Gerard couldn't say no to his boyfriend. Not when he looks this adorable, all naked except for the Star Wars sheets.

Later, he made him breakfast, and walked him to his car. 'I can totally miss school today. It's my birthday, so I can do whatever I want,' Frank said, leaning on the car and trapped between Gerard's arms.

'You're right, but I also have stuff to do, so just go and we'll meet later, okay?'

'Oh – by the way, my mom wants me to have dinner with her, so I'll pick you up after that.'

'Sounds good.'

The day went by too slow in Frank's opinion. Not only he had to put up listening to his professor talking about ethics for two hours, but then drive to his mom's place, when all he wanted was to be with Gerard.

The dinner wasn't so bad, if he just ignored his relatives and their questions about what he was going to do with his life.

'Well, thanks, mom,' he said. 'I gotta go, though. My friends and I are going out for drinks, you know –'

'I'm happy for you, Frankie. You seem happy.'

'I am.' He wanted to introduce Gerard to her but he knew their situation was complicated to understand, unless he told her he'd break up with Jamia.

He picked up Gerard and they drove to a bar near his apartment, where other people were already waiting, including Jamia. He had his first official drink within the following five minutes, and soon he was drunk, making out with Gerard in the corridor.

Later he took them both to his apartment. 'Happy birthday, Frankie,' Jamia told him as she took off her clothes, with Gerard standing next to her, doing the same thing. They started off in the couch, Gerard to his right, Jamia to his left, both of them jerking him off and kissing him.

'We're gonna make you feel the best you've ever felt, okay?' Gerard whispered behind his ear, and then left sloppy kisses on his jaw. 'Happy birthday, baby.'

Frank stayed with Gerard for Thanksgiving break, and his basement felt more like home than his own apartment. Gerard asked him to go with him to his aunt's house. 'So we're there already?' Frank asked, a smirk on his face.

'I think we're way past that. And though I wasn't excited to go, there's something exciting about pissing off a bunch of catholic ladies when I introduce you as my boyfriend.'

'That's a lot to process.'

'Isn't that what we are?'

'Yes, of course. Just the whole meeting your extended family part. And being, you know, official.'

'I think it's time, isn't it?'

'Yeah.'

'And I'm sure my grandma's gonna love you.' Frank felt the pressure then. He knew how important his grandma was for him.

So he put on the only dress shirt he had, and a tie, cause he wanted to leave a good impression.

When they walked in behind Gerard's parents and Mikey, holding hands, everyone turned to them. Gerard just faked a smile and waved at them. he made sure to introduced Frank to each and everyone of them, telling them he was his boyfriend. 'It's not like it's surprising coming from me,' he said to Frank later. 'I mean, they all knew it. But it feels good to rub it in.'

Frank couldn't help it, and kissed him.

'Now, let's go meet my grandma.' They walked up to an old lady sitting in the living room. She seemed elegant and smart, and that made Frank nervous. 'Hey, grandma,' Gerard greeted her, leaning in for a hug. 'I want to introduce you to someone. This is Frank, my boyfriend.'

'Nice to meet you, ma'am.'

'Nice to meet you too, young boy. Gerard has told me a lot about you.'

Frank blushed, and gave Gerard a look.

Two hours and many beers later, they sneaked in one of his aunts' rooms and took off Frank's clothes, and pushed him to the bed. 'I'm thankful for you, motherfucker,' he said, making Frank giggle, before sucking him off.

Gerard had to go to New York again a week later, for another meeting. This time, he promised Frank it'd only be for a day, and he'd be back the next morning. He couldn't be away from him either.

In the meantime, Frank went to Jamia's house for dinner, and they watched movies with Evan. They were in the middle of Child's Play, when Frank's cell phone rang.

It was an unknown number, but he answered nonetheless. 'Hello?' the voice on the other side said. It was Mikey, Frank was sure, and he sounded like he was in the middle of a breakdown.

'Mikey?' Frank got up, and walked outside to the porch.

'Frank. It's Gerard.' He paused. Frank knew something was wrong. 'They just called us. He got mugged and they stabbed him. He's in the hospital.'

'Wh –,' he tried to say something, but the lump in his throat kept him from doing so.