Chapter Text
It’s snowing.
So, Gerard ties a red knit scarf around Frank’s neck before they head out.
‘Do I have to wear it?’ Frank asks, anxious to leave, but he loves the way Gerard takes care of him. As if he’s making up for all those years Frank had no one to make sure he wasn’t cold. But if he thinks about it, he’ll start crying.
‘Yes. I don’t want you getting sick again.’
Frank finds it absolutely adorable, and can’t help smiling at him, and leans in to kiss him. And every time he does, it’s like the first time.
It’s been a week since Christmas, and Frank is still getting used to his new life.
He’s back at his mom’s house, for the time being, at least until he gets a new place. They miss each other so much, and he needs to spend more time with his family after all this time. And he’s also keeping himself busy with his new puppy, Lola.
‘How is she?’ Gerard asks as they head out. He finally has a day off, so it’s date night. Another thing Frank is getting used to. Holding someone’s hand as he walks down the street, cuddling in his bed, date nights.
‘She’s good. I think it’s still a little weird for both of us, and we’re taking it slow. I’m used to being on my own, not depending on people. And she checks on me often, which I understand, but it’s still –’ Gerard smiles at him, listening attentively to every word he says.
‘I know. But we care about you, okay?’
‘Okay.’ He knows it’s going to take him some time to let others in, but he’s trying.
They walk to the diner down the street, Gerard opening the door for him and giving him all the attention he deserves. ‘I think I need to look for a job,’ Frank says in the middle of eating his cheeseburger, and Gerard just gives him a look.
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yeah. I think I need something to do before I go crazy, and I’m tired of feeling useless.’
‘You’re not useless. And you’re still taking things slow.’
‘You say that because you like me,’ Frank says with a smile. ‘But I’m serious. I want to have my own money, and take you out on dates even though you make enough money. I want to spoil my boyfriend.’
That makes Gerard blush. ‘I like that, then,’ he says. ‘I love being spoiled.’ They start talking about all the places he could apply to, and Gerard suggest they go fill out applications in the next couple days. Frank tells him about one of the books he’s been reading, and Gerard tells him crazy stories from the ER, and after dinner, they go for a walk and Gerard gets them coffee from the expensive café.
This is all so new to Frank. Gerard is his first serious relationship, the first one not based on addiction. And the first one where he’s as much in love as the other person. And it’s scary. Knowing that they’ve haven’t even been together for two weeks and Frank is so in love with him, but Gerard is always there. That the moment it gets too much and Frank doesn’t know what to do, Gerard holds his hand and takes care of him. that if he breaks that, Gerard will put the pieces together and hold him until he’s better. He doesn’t know that kind of love, and it’s scary.
They’re just reaching Frank’s house, when Gerard stops him at the porch. ‘Hey –,’ he starts, pulling him closer. ‘I was thinking. I have the next couple days off, and I was wondering if – you wanna stay over at my place.’
Frank bites his lip, blushing. And instead of replying, he leans in and kisses him.
‘Is that a yes?’
***
Gerard’s apartment isn’t that big or luxurious.
It’s actually kind of small and really messy. They almost trip on his shoes on the way to Gerard’s room, but that doesn’t stop them. ‘I’ll give you the tour tomorrow,’ Gerard says in between kissing him and taking off his clothes. ‘Right now, there are more important things.’
Frank nods, panting in his boyfriend’s mouth. ‘Get to it.’
Gerard is fucking gentle with him. Already knowing Frank needs it. He takes off his clothes one by one, and caresses his skin, admiring every corner of it as he does. His few tattoos, the scar on his stomach, the way Frank trembles at the touch. And Frank feels so loved.
Gerard asks him what he likes every two minutes, and makes sure he’s comfortable, and Frank can’t believe this man is real.
He can’t believe someone with this huge, kind heart is real, and that he loves him, as fucked up and broken as he is.
And he can’t believe someone as gorgeous as Gerard, with his porcelain skin, and his pretty eyes, is here on top of him. Frank’s is the luckiest man on earth.
‘Just fuck me,’ he says with a devious smile, and pulls him closer to kiss him.
Frank is sure he hasn’t felt this good before.
He’s touching the sky, floating. Gerard knows exactly where to hit, and how. Gerard knows exactly how to make Frank feel like he’s in heaven.
‘I love you,’ Frank whispers in his ear once they’ve come and they’re cuddling, all sticky with sweat and cum. Frank knows it’s too soon, but he’s never felt this way before, and Gerard makes him feel loved like no one else.
‘I love you, too, baby.’
Frank’s eyes are heavy, and Gerard kisses his eyelids, then leaves soft kisses all over his skin as Frank falls asleep.
***
Frank starts the new year in the arms of his boyfriend.
Mikey had invited them over to a party, but Gerard said he preferred to stay home, and Frank just wanted to be with him either way. So Gerard made cooked for them, and they watched movies and cuddled all night.
But that’s the best way to start off the year, Frank thinks. He can’t ask for anything more.
Early next morning, though, Gerard has to leave for work, and he tells Frank he can stay as long as he wants to, but Frank says he wants to go check on Lola, and take her on a walk.
And dating a doctor – fuck, he can’t believe that –, he’s already used to his schedule. Gerard will spend the next couple days at the hospital, and maybe he’ll go to the shelter afterwards, depending at what time he’s off. So, Frank tries to entertain himself.
He reads a lot, and goes to the park with Lola. He helps his mom clean the house, and goes to the grocery store. He’s on his way back to meet with Gerard for coffee, when he sees a little dog walking down the street. And the closer the dog gets, Frank notices it looks strangely familiar. The matted fur, and the tongue sticking out. Gray patches here and there. ‘Pencey?’ Frank says, his knees hitting the concrete, and almost crying when the dog approaches him, and Frank notices it’s him.
How is this possible, he wonders, and takes him in his arms.
He wishes he had a phone to text Gerard that he’s going to the vet, but he doesn’t have money for that either. So, he just waits outside the café, petting his best friend, and crying happy tears.
‘Is it him?’ Gerard asks as soon as he spots them, and he just needs to see Frank’s face to know the answer. So their date turns into a visit to the vet, and Frank promises him that he’ll pay him off as soon as he gets a job.
‘Oh, and I forgot –,’ Gerard says once they’re on their way to his apartment. ‘I think we can get you a job at the bookstore where my brother works.’
‘Are you kidding me?’ Frank says, shocked. Working at a bookstore had always been his dream.
Gerard laughs. ‘I knew you’d like that.’
‘You know you’re my guardian angel, right?’ Frank says and steps in front of him, with Pencey in between them. ‘Not exaggerating, but the moment you came into my life, everything changed. And it’s all thanks to you.’
Gerard smiles at that, his cheeks red as tomatoes. ‘I can say the same thing.’
Frank pecks him on the cheek. ‘Thank you. For everything.’
***
A YEAR LATER
Frank is just getting home after a long shift at the bookstore, the red scarf Gerard gave him the year before tied around his neck.
Walking the streets of New Jersey, remembering that just a year ago, this was his home.
And now he gets call Gerard’s apartment home. Their home. The few clothes he’s gotten this year occupying half the closet, his books by the corner, next to Lola’s and Pencey’s beds. Pictures of them together all over the apartment, and in the living room, the tiny Christmas tree they just put up together.
‘How was work?’ Gerard asks when he walks in, and pulls him to the kitchen, where he makes him something to eat.
‘Crazy. Holiday hours are a pain in the ass.’
Gerard fixes his bad mood with a kiss.
And the next morning, they wake up early to go to the shelter, and bring the toys they got for the kids, while Gerard works at the clinic. And later, they both work at the kitchen.
On his way home from work, he sees a kid sitting outside the train station, and his heart breaks a little. So he gives him his jacket and his gloves, plus the sandwich he just bought. ‘I know it’s hard, but it gets better, okay?’ he says. ‘If you need, I can take you to a shelter where I work.’ The boy shakes his head. Frank wishes he could do more, but he knows it’s pointless unless people want to accept help.
But for now, he gives him what he can. It’s the little he can do to pay what Gerard did for him.
When he opens the door, and Gerard sees him wearing only his t-shirt and freezing, he runs to him and throws a blanket around his shoulder. ‘What happened?’ he asks.
‘Nothing,’ Frank replies. ‘Someone needed it more than me.’
Gerard doesn’t know what to say, and just stands there speechless, before kissing him. ‘You and your big heart.’
‘I learned from the best.’
Gerard hugs him and drags him to the couch, where both dogs are waiting for them. ‘C’mon, let’s cuddle to get you warm.’
Frank just smiles, letting the love of his life take care of him, and enjoying time with his family, and being home.