Work Text:
Summer of 2004. A small friend group hanging out in a basement. All of them are close to each other. some a little too close..
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Gerard woke up on a very hot sunny day. Drool dripping down his face from the long sleep he had after staying up late drawing and writing lyrics for his band. The warm room felt like hell so he wiped his face and opened up the small window. He sighed with relief. As he walked back to his bed his younger brother Micheal or Mikey as everyone called him walked in. “Mikey again what did I say about knocking.” Gerard said annoyed and he threw himself back on the bed. “You weren't doing anything other than being a bum anyways.” Mikey said rolling his eyes.
“Why are you in here anyways other than just to annoy me?” Gerard said. “I just wanted to let you know I invited my friends over so make sure your out of your Star Wars pajamas already” Mikey said before leaving. Gerard jumped up “wait which ones!” Gerard yelled. “Ray and Frank!” Mikey yelled from upstairs. “You should've started with that first.” Gerard said as he quickly started to get dressed. Gerard wouldn't dare to let Frank see him like this. Frank was one of Mikey's new friends and recently he started coming over more.
Gerard usually isn't one to go upstairs or invite anyone to his room but Frank was different. He liked almost all the same things Gerard did comics, art and music. They had so much in common. Frank always was left out when Mikey and Ray would talk to each other and teach each other about their guitars and bass they bought. Frank knew about guitars but never to rays level of knowledge.
So he would usually just sit there and watch. One Saturday morning Gerard came upstairs and noticed him and slowly they began talking. Ever since then he and Gerard were almost friends. Well since Frank never confirmed it Gerard wasn't too sure. So maybe this day was his chance. Also Gerard never told anyone. Not Mikey, not his mom. Sometimes when he looked at Frank and feel his heart begin to speed up he never put much thought into these thoughts he would just brush them off but “sometimes” he did think about it maybe a lot more than he would like to say.
Gerard got a Iron Maiden t-shirt and his best pair of jeans. Today was the day he would become friends with Frank if everything goes as planned.
Eventually after an hour and practically waiting at the door he heard the doorbell ring. He listened right next to his door and heard Frank's voice. “Hey Mikey!” Frank said. Gerard started to panic just by his voice alone. Eventually after a minute or so Gerard opened the door and walked upstairs. Ray and Mikey were sitting together watching a horror movie. Mikey looked up at Gerard “oh hey Gerard you finally decided to come up I see” Mikey smiled and went back to watching the tv. “Oh hey Gerard.” Ray added and smiled.
“Hey..Ray and yes Mikey of course I came up.” Gerard said as he headed over to sit next to Mikey. Gerard looked around and noticed Frank wasn't anywhere. Mikey noticed as he said “looking for Frank.?” Gerard looked at him as if he screamed that at the top of his lungs “no. Shut up Mikey.” Gerard says as he still glances around for Frank. “Well if you're wondering, he went to make some popcorn for us in the kitchen.” Mikey said. Gerard got up and went towards the kitchen.
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Mikey glanced over and so did Ray. “I don't get why he hides the fact he wants to hang out with him.” Mikey said to Ray. “Yeah I don't get it either but maybe that's just how he interacts with people.” Ray said. “Yeah I guess” Mikey said thinking about something. “To be fair before it was just me coming around I never even really saw him come out of his room.” Ray said. “Yeah I mean it's good he wants to finally talk to someone I'm happy for him” Mikey smiles.
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Gerard walks into the kitchen and finally he sees Frank waiting for the popcorn to finish. Franks sitting there without even knowing it he's swaying a little and letting his head rest in his hand. Gerard starts to feel his heart beat a little faster than before. He watches Frank as he moves a little and Gerard even starts to notice when Frank starts to hum a bit part of a song.
Gerard definitely knows this song; he just can't put a name to it. Frank turns around and jumps “oh you scared me dude what are you doing just sitting there.” Gerard doesn't even know what to say and he pauses for a bit. “Uh Mikey wants to know when the popcorn will be ready.” Frank looks suspicious but shrugs it off. “Oh just tell him it will be done soon” Gerard nods and starts to leave, but before he does Frank says “hey I like your shirt.” Gerard smiles and turns around “really?” Gerard says with the biggest smile he's had in a bit. “Yeah it's awesome Iron Maiden” Frank nods with approval.
“Thanks,” Gerard says walking back towards Frank. “Are you going to watch the movie with Mikey and Ray?” Gerard asks. “Yeah, are you?” Frank said while looking back at the popcorn kernels popping. “Yeah I guess yeah.” Gerard said while he notices Frank is wearing a white the smiths shirt. Frank looks and sees his gaze on his shirt “oh the smiths do you know them?” Frank smiles at Gerard. “Yes I love them they are awesome” Gerard says as he smiles happily. “Yeah they are!” Frank smiles more. “Hey uh Frank I've been meaning to ask are we friends?” Gerard says awkwardly but he needs to confirm this before his heart decides to speed up again.
“Yeah, of course did you think I wouldn't be friends with someone who loves the smiths?” Frank said. Gerard smiles and finally feels comfortable enough with Frank to get slightly closer. “What's taking so long Frank you're going to burn the kitchen down again?” Mikey walks in yelling. Frank notices the popcorns been done for a while. “Sorry sorry I was having a conversation.” Frank rolls his eyes. Mikey looks at him annoyed “are you serious stop flirting with my brother and pay attention to the damn stove!” Mikey turns the stove off. “Whatever I wasn't trying anything trust me.” Frank says annoyed. Gerard suddenly feels really warm. He hopes he is not blushing right now or that it's noticeable if he is. “Oh really because that's all me and Ray heard from the living room a minute ago you were all over my brothers outfit” Mikey says grabbing the popcorn that wasn't burnt yet. Frank groans and grabs Gerard. “Come on, let's go sit down.” Gerard smiles and follows him and sits down. “What took so long?” Ray said. Mikey walks in with the popcorn and hands it to Ray “just never trust Frank in the kitchen again.” Frank glances and Mikey but he pays no mind.
The movie was amazing. They all thought it was great. Eventually Mikey and Ray left to Mikey's room. Gerard looked at Frank. “You wanna go to my room?” Gerard asked. Frank said yes and they both headed down stairs. Frank wanted to watch more movies and Gerard agreed. They both sat on Gerard's bed and began to watch many horror movies. Eventually they ended up right next to each other. Frank looked at Gerard as he felt him really close to him. Frank got slightly red. As they watched the movie a scene with needles came up and Frank noticed Gerard shaking and grabbed his hand. “Are you okay?” Frank smiled and tried to distract him. “Yeah I just hate needles” Gerard looked away. Frank squeezed his hand. Gerard felt relieved and leaned into Frank. Eventually his head was on his shoulder. Frank smiled and put his arm around Gerard. After another movie they both started to get tired eventually they both fell asleep on Gerard's bed. Gerard felt like he could never be this comfortable in his bed before. He was sleeping next to Frank; he couldn't feel comfortable if it were anyone else.
After an hour Gerard woke up to see Frank sleeping next to him. He smiled and he was happy to be able to sleep next to someone that cared for him enough to be his friend. Gerard started to look at Frank's lips. He always thought about it. Frank was unlike any person he had ever seen. Gerard liked that Frank was his friend now confirmed. He didn't want to mess this up with him. One kiss could ruin it all. Gerard got out of the bed and left the room to give Frank privacy. Once he came out Ray and Mikey were eating pizza. "Hey Gerard you want some.?" Ray asked.
"Yeah sure" Gerard walked over. Mikey looked at Gerard "were you sleeping?" Gerard nods and grabs a slice. "Where's Frank?" Mikey asked concerned. Ray realizes he's not here either and looks at Gerard for an answer. "He is sleeping" Gerard says while taking a bite of his pizza. Ray laughs "he fell asleep on the floor?". Gerard looks away to avoid any eye contact with his brother "no we both fell asleep on my bed." Mikey starts to think about something. Gerard looks back and notices "no. stop. no gross ew Mikey.!" Gerard says knowing exactly what Mikey's thinking. Mikey looks at him and smiles "okay okay I get it but it's just kind of weird. Frank refuses all the time to sleep next to me or Ray" Mikey says looking at Ray. Ray nods "yeah he did" Ray adds.
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Gerard sits down and just eats his pizza now thinking about what Ray and Mikey said. Frank has known Mikey and Ray longer why does he only feel comfortable sleeping next to him? It would make no sense for Frank to trust Gerard so much so fast. Gerard is not upset about it though he actually really likes the fact Frank wouldn't sleep next to anyone except for him. He has to stop thinking about this Mikey will notice and probably never let it go.
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Frank wakes up and sees everyone eating "save me some..wait what kind of pizza did you get." Mikey smiles "cheese." Frank grabs a slice and sits next to Gerard "your bed is so comfortable I slept great" he says as he stretches.
"Good I'm glad" Gerard says as he takes another bite. "Frank why were you in my brothers bed if you said you hate sleeping next to others" Mikey asks.
"Yeah others. Gerard isn't others he's my friend Mikey and also why the hell would I want to sleep next to you or Ray ever.?" Frank laughs as he puts his arm around Gerard. Mikey just says "uh huh. Friend. I thought we were your friends too!" Frank laughs "okay well yeah but Gerard's my newest friend and I want to get to know him more" Frank says smiling still holding on to Gerard. "By sleeping with him?" Ray adds in. "Well when you make it sound like that it sounds wrong!" Frank says letting go of Gerard.