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Frank leaned against the bus savoring a post-show cigarette, smiling as the remainders of adrenaline filled his body. He heard a conversation nearby, deciding to eavesdrop. Two male voices filled his ears.
"Yeah man, they were good, but the singer? Not cut out for it."
"Oh for sure. He's got an okay voice and all but the look? Shocking that they've made it this far with a frontman who dresses like that."
"I know! He looks like a girl! With all the makeup and shit?"
"And he's chubby. How the fuck is he expecting to be taken seriously? All the girls probably rush to the bassist or something."
"Girls? Please, did you see how he walked around up there? That's a fucking fairy if I've ever seen one."
The men laughed raucously and Frank saw red. He spat the cigarette out and stomped toward them, anger clouding all rational thought. How fucking dare they speak about Gerard like that? They had no right to criticize somebody that amazing because he looked a certain way.
Without thinking, Frank punched one of the men in the face as hard as he could, a resounding crack ringing out. He heard a faint "What the fuck?" before he whipped around to kick the other guy. He managed to get a hard kick in on the guy's knee, watching as the man fell over. However, the element of surprise soon wore off and Frank found himself fighting for his life against two very angry, very large men.
Frank was nothing if not determined, and he held his own. He took the hits, returning them as best he could. He was in the middle of punching one of the men when a new pair of arms wrapped around his waist and a body was pressed against his back. Frank fought the grip as the mystery person tried to drag him away. "Frank what the fuck?" came Ray's voice and Frank ignored it, rushing forward and dragging Ray behind him. He managed to kick the shit out of a guy before Ray doubled down and yanked with all his strength. Frank stumbled but didn't give up. Just as he was about to run for it again, another set of arms wrapped around him and pulled with Ray. Rage and adrenaline could only do so much, and Frank was no match against the people holding him back. He looked at the bloodied and bruised men in front of him and spat blood at them.
"I don't know what the fuck happened to make Frank go apeshit, but you guys better leave. Now." Frank recognized Mikey's voice behind him, realizing he was the second pair of arms. The two men looked at Frank, who was still fighting against the restraints his friends had him in, and decided to book it.
"Don't ever fucking come back!" Frank screamed as he was dragged into the bus by his bandmates.
"Frank, what the hell?" Mikey said, finally releasing him. Ray did the same, crossing his arms and staring down at Frank, waiting for an explanation.
"They were saying shit about Gerard," Frank responded, reaching into his pocket to get a cigarette.
"No smoking in the bus, asshole," Mikey said as he swiped away the pack. "Besides, what made you think it was a good idea to get in a fight? We're in a strange city behind a sketchy venue. You're lucky they didn't have weapons!"
"I couldn't just let them talk shit!" Frank defended, attempting to grab the cigarettes to no avail, as Mikey handed them off to Ray who held them above his head.
"Frank, I know you're angry and you have a right to be, but you can't just do that. We need you alive," Ray said. Frank just crossed his arms and glared defiantly.
"Whatever, it's done now. I won't do it again," Frank growled, tone similar to that of a scolded child who really believed they had done nothing wrong.
Ray and Mikey both rolled their eyes as they turned away to grab the medkit. Frank sat in silence as his friends checked him over for injuries, holding an ice pack to the bruise on his left cheekbone. All bleeding had stopped, and besides a pounding headache and some bruises, Frank felt fine. He downed some painkillers and begrudgingly thanked Mikey and Ray for helping him. They rolled their eyes but replied, "Anytime."
Frank sat on the couch and rested his eyes for a bit. He lost track of time and floated in his head until he was broken out of the trance by Gerard's concerned voice. "Frankie what happened? Are you okay?" He asked.
"Yeah, just a bit fucked up. Beat the shit outta some assholes."
"Looks they beat the shit outta you. Why did you get in a fight anyway? It's dangerous as hell. You could get shot or something!"
"They were saying shit about the show. It pissed me off. I already got the lecture from the others, you don't need to give it to me too."
"Yes I do! I don't want you getting hurt! We need you. I need you. That temper of yours is gonna fuck you up one day and we'll all be sad and shit because you got yourself killed over a bagel or something!"
Frank scoffed, removing the ice pack from his face. "What they were saying was much more important than a bagel."
"That's not the point. Just don't let it happen again. I don't want to see you get hurt over dumb shit." Gerard's voice softened. Frank looked up, giving him eye contact at long last. Concern was evident on Gerard's face and Frank felt guilty for worrying the very person he was protecting.
"I'm sorry," Frank mumbled out, turning his gaze to the floor. Gerard nodded and nudged Frank to the side, sitting next to him on the couch.
"It's okay. I know you have your things that you love and wanna fight for. You're passionate. I get it."
There was silence for a moment before Gerard asked, "What were they saying?"
Frank took a moment and responded, "Just dumb shit. Standard homophobia and all that." He decided to omit the comments about Gerard's appearance. The poor guy was already his own worst enemy in that department.
Gerard rolled his eyes. "Of fucking course. Whatever, their kind isn't welcome here and I think they're disappearing from our shows more and more anyway."
"Yeah," Frank muttered, looking down. Gerard reached over and gently moved Frank to rest his head on Gerard's shoulder. Frank smiled and allowed Gerard to hold him.
"I'm not mad at you for being angry or sticking up for your beliefs, y'know that right?" Gerard asked.
Frank nodded.
"I just don't want you to get hurt is all. Like, I care about you man. You're the heart of this band."
Frank hummed in acknowledgement.
"I just- I don't know what I would do without you! Frank-"
Gerard's speech was cut short by Frank sitting up and covering Gerard's mouth with his hand. "Mm?" Gerard asked.
"Shut up. I get it. It's okay," Frank said, adoration lacing his words and negating their sting. He removed his hand from Gerard's mouth.
"Do you?" Gerard muttered, more to himself than Frank.
Frank held Gerard's face in his hands. "Yes," He said, firm and final. They stared at each other for a moment before Gerard's eyes locked on Frank's lips, staying for a moment before moving back up to look into Frank's gaze.
"Can I..?" Gerard whispered.
"Can you what?" Frank whispered back, knowing full well what Gerard wanted. What Frank also wanted. Had wanted for a while but was too much of a pussy to ask for all those months ago.
"Can I kiss you?" He asked. Frank felt the heat of Gerard's face through his fingerless gloves, a comforting warmth that spread from Gerard to him. Frank didn't respond to the question, leaning in and gently kissing Gerard, mindful of his split lip. Gerard kissed back equally as softly, yet conveying emotions that words couldn't show. I was worried. I care about you. I want you safe.
They pulled apart and Frank giggled like a schoolgirl, leaning his head back on Gerard's shoulder.
"What?" Gerard asked.
"I wanted to do that since last year!" Frank exclaimed, doing his best to keep quiet.
"So did I!" Gerard whisper-yelled back.
"Well why didn't you?"
"I thought you were straight!"
"I just beat the shit out of homophobes!"
"I thought you were a really hardcore ally!"
Frank burst into another fit of laughter. Gerard followed. "We're so dumb," Frank said. Gerard just laughed harder and nodded in agreement.
"What the fuck is so funny?" Mikey said as he walked toward the two. They just laughed harder, Mikey rolling his eyes. Ray soon approached as well, looking at the two idiots cuddling and nearly crying of laughter.
Frank started coughing and clutched his ribs. "Fuck. Okay. No more laughing. Jesus, they did a number on me."
"That's what you get for being the physical embodiment of a rabid chihuahua," Ray said, Gerard and Mikey snorting identically at the comment.
"Fuck off," Frank said, no venom in his words.
"You should take it easy tonight, we can watch a movie if you want? Least we can do for the guy who defended our honor," Gerard suggested. Frank and the others agreed, picking a DVD, gathering blankets, and arranging themselves on the far too small couch. Gerard and Frank held hands under the blanket, and as Frank drifted off an hour into the movie, he felt content about what had happened. Mikey glanced at Gerard knowingly, getting a shy smile in response. "I know he'll treat you well," Mikey whispered. Gerard nodded and turned his head back to the TV, squeezing Frank's hand in excitement. A new path had been opened up, and Gerard couldn't wait to see where it lead.