Chapter Text
Frank blinked awake. He was curled into Gerard’s chest with Gee’s arms around him, petting his spine.
“How long have you been awake?” Frank murmured sleepily.
“A little while,” Gerard replied. “Couldn’t stay asleep. Was thinking.”
“About what?” Frank nuzzled into the older’s shoulder.
Gerard kissed Frank’s head. “About how I love you too.”
Well, that jolted Frank awake. He leaned his head back to see Gerard. “You love me?”
“Yeah,” Gerard smiled. “I love you.”
Frank kissed him. “You love me .” Gerard kissed him back gently. Something niggled at Frank’s mind, and he pulled back again. Gerard gave a disappointed noise at the loss of contact. “Wait, too ?” Gerard nodded. “When did I say it?”
“Just before you fell asleep.”
Frank groaned and flopped onto his back. “Fucking great .”
“You didn’t mean it.” It wasn’t a question. The hurt was obvious in Gerard’s voice.
“No– I just–” Gerard sat up and got out from under the covers. Fuck. Frank followed him to his desk, where Gerard was determinedly not looking at him. Frank tried to get him to turn his head. “Gee, you didn't let me–”
“It’s fine, Frankie. Drop it.”
“Gerard, look at me ,” Frank said firmly. Gerard did, his eyes guarded. “You didn’t let me finish. I don’t regret saying it. Okay?” Hope returned to Gerard’s eyes, and Frank wanted to kiss him so bad but he had to finish what he was saying. “I regret not remembering saying it. I would’ve rather the first time I told you that I love you not have been when I was half asleep after a tiring shift. Because I do. Love you. I love you so much, Gee, that it hurts in the best fucking way.” Gerard grinned, and kissed him hard before Frank could say anything else.