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Frank and Gerard together on the sofa is one of the most adorable things Ray has ever seen. They’re slumped towards each other, Frank’s head on Gerard’s shoulder, Gerard’s tipped back, his mouth open and showing his little teeth. They both have their eyes closed, even though the TV is still on, making their faces appear in dark blues and flashes of pale orange. Frank snuffles and pushes his face deeper into the folds of Gerard’s washed-out black hoodie. Gerard’s neck is going to hurt like a motherfucker if he keeps it bent like that until tomorrow, and if Ray isn’t mistaken, Frank is drooling on Gerard’s chest.
He stands and watches them for a while. Frank likes to boast about what a party animal he is, staying up until the morning hours and not getting enough sleep. Gerard keeps pulling all-nighters because he forgets he should put away his pens and inks and crayons and go to bed at some point.
And then other times, they fall asleep like this: cuddled together in the living room, barely keeping their eyes open, drifting off before the sun has even set. Ray debates waking them up and sending them to an actual bed, but they keep making fun of him and calling him their mom, so he decides just pulling the blanket up has to be enough.
He didn’t factor in Frank’s light sleep. He’s still struggling to keep the blanket wedged between the backrest and Frank’s shoulder when Frank suddenly blinks open his eyes. He shifts around in the dark and a moment later, Gerard’s thin, sleepy voice asks, “Frankie?”
A sudden smile blooms on Frank’s face as he recognizes Ray. He gives Gerard a friendly jab in the ribs. “Hey, your boyfriend came to tuck us in.”
“He’s yours too,” Gerard mumbles.
“He was yours first though.”
“Hm. True.” Gerard has woken up enough to deliberately direct a soft little smile at Ray. His eyes are tiny, there’s sleep in their corners, and his hair looks like a wild night on stage. He attempts to lift the blanket. “C’mere, Ray. We’re sleeping here tonight.”
Ray hastily pushes Gerard’s hand down before he gets too far and straightens his back. “No no, it’s fine. I just didn’t want you to be cold. I’m not joining you.”
“Bullshit,” comes Frank’s sleepy drawl. “You’re already here, don’t be difficult.”
“This is a sofa.”
“Brilliant observation, now get down here.”
The implication there was of course that this isn’t a great place to sleep, but Frank only hears what he wants to hear. “I’d rather sleep in a real bed.”
“We specifically got this so we could use it to sleep on. It’s got that fancy mattress and all.” Gerard is clearly on Frank’s side.
“You’re already all settled, I don’t wanna make it uncomfortable.”
Frank shuffles to the side and pulls Gerard with him by his arm. “There’s enough space for your sexy, broad shoulders, no worries.”
“We did get this one specifically because it was big enough for all three of us,” Gerard adds with a beaming smile.
Ray wishes they’d get the hint, but of course they don’t. “You guys just look so cozy, I don’t wanna bother you,” he admits kind of mumbly and under his breath and hopes they didn’t understand what he said.
By the affronted twin looks they’re giving him, they did.
“Now you’re just talking shit.” Frank’s eyebrows draw together in that way that means he’s getting angry while Gerard is still gasping for air. “I’m too tired to put up with that right now. Get your ass down here.” He throws a glance at Gerard. “Look, you’re making Gee sad. Do you want to make Gee sad?”
Well that’s just unfair. Gerard does pull a disappointed face at that and despite knowing that he’s doing it on Frank’s command to manipulate him, it makes Ray’s chest tight. Gerard has the best and worst kicked puppy face.
Ray is still debating it when they make the decision for him: in a coordinated move, Frank grabs Ray’s wrist and Gerard his arm and together they pull him down. He stumbles at the edge of the sofa and nearly breaks Gerard’s shins as he topples over and across his legs.
Gerard moves to the side to make space for Ray in the middle. “That’s better,” he whispers as he attaches himself to his side. They manage to get the blanket pulled over all three of them, even if it’s a bit small and Gerard won’t let go of Ray to help.
Ray ends up on his back, Frank and Gerard both cuddling up against him and resting their heads on his chest and shoulders. His arms are probably both going to fall asleep, but trying to get into a more comfortable position just makes Frank burrow into him deeper.
“Get some rest,” Frank murmurs, his breath hot through Ray’s shirt. “And stop telling yourself you’re bothering us because you’re not.”
Ray is glad no one notices the way his cheeks heat up, even though they can probably feel his heart beat faster, but then Gerard’s moon face appears in his line of sight like a ghost. “Yeah. This is your place,” he says, his face beautiful and serious.
Ray tousles his hair and smiles. He’ll try to take it to heart.