Chapter Text
Frank was starting college.
He was studying Music at an Art college in the city.
Frank had never enjoyed high school.
Like, who even needs all those bullshitter subjects?
He was, of course, pleased as fuck to leave and focus on a subject he actually enjoyed.
And that subject happened to be Music.
What else?
Frank had to audition to get onto the course so he had taken his favourite electric and was told then and there that he had gotten in.
He knew he had skills but come on.
As he wasn't going to a local college, he didn't know anyone else on the course and he had to take the train there and back every day.
He didn't mind the train but ugh, getting up at seven was not his idea of fun.
The train station wasn't far from his house so it only took about twenty or twenty-five minutes to get there.
He got up as late as he could, at twenty past, and left his house at half past and got there just in time for his 7:59 train.
It was cutting it a bit close but fuck it, he enjoyed his sleep.
The train journey lasted around an hour, not that Frank paid that much attention.
He then had to walk from the train station to the Art college and that took around twenty minutes because there was a motherfucker of a hill to climb up.
Who's idea was it to put a train station at the bottom of a hill?
Whoever it was, Frank decided he was a dickwad.
After the first day he had climbed up it, he had agreed that he was not friends with that hill.
More like mortal enemies.
That day had been induction day, a week before college actually began.
On that day, Frank had to show up and sign some paperwork and basically sit there all afternoon.
Literally.
He spent that time listening to music and people watching.
That was always his favourite, time-passing game.
The theme of the day was guessing what course everyone was on.
It was kind of obvious for some people.
The Performing Arts people were pretty loud and talked a lot.
Music people stuck to themselves and only talked to people they knew, hence Frank not talking to anyone.
Everyone looked arty so anyone could be on one of the Art courses.
There were a lot of Art courses.
No one had really caught his eye yet, attractiveness wise.
That was until he had been glancing around for twenty or so minutes.
He had a view of the whole reception area and front entrance from where he was sitting.
So that meant that he had a good view of the guy that entered next.
He had bright red hair coming out of his head and was wearing black jeans with a Black Flag t-shirt.
Not too shabby, Frank thought.
You'd have to be an idiot not to see him really.
His hair was really bright.
He wasn't too tall but was obviously taller than Frank, just like everybody else was.
Frank couldn't help but stare at him as he made his way over to the reception desk.
Two people were following him, probably his Mom and maybe brother?
Frank decided to go back to his game while the guy talked to the receptionist, his Mom and brother at his shoulders.
So what course was this guy on?
He had to be doing Art.
From what Frank had gathered, all the unnatural hair coloured people were doing some form of Art.
There had to be at least four people currently here with hair some whacky colour.
The Red Head moved away from the reception desk and seemed to be coming over to Frank.
Frank couldn't help but sit up a little as he tried to discreetly watch him.
He knew he was still being obvious but whatever.
What was wrong with looking at attractive people?
The Red Head stopped at a table next to Frank's.
His Mom was talking animately about the course and making sure he had all of his paperwork.
Frank smirked as the guy turned to his Mom and assumed brother.
"Mom! Just... You can go now."
She smiled warmly at him.
"I just worry about you, Geebear," His Mom ruffled his hair slightly.
He quickly moved out of her reach.
He then glared at his brother who was giggling profusely behind his hand.
"Fuck off, Mikes!"
"Language," Their Mom rolled her eyes, "Okay, Honey, we'll go. Call me when you need picking up."
Red Head looked instantly relieved.
"Okay, bye."
He sat down at the table before his Mom could embarrass him any more with a kiss or something.
She left with Red Head's brother a minute later so he was sat on his own.
Frank was so tempted to sit down across from him and say some cheesy pickup line.
He decided against that.
It wasn't like this guy would be interested in him.
He was a hot red head with a good taste in music.
Frank tried not to look at him for the remainder of the afternoon but failed a lot.
When Red Head was taken away with the rest of one of the Art courses, Frank was slightly annoyed that he hadn't talked to him.
He probably wouldn't see this guy again now.
Although, they were going to the same college so it was likely they'd cross paths again.
The Art College wasn't as big as the other one.
Frank made himself promise to talk to him if he saw him again but he probably wouldn't.
Frank liked to think he was confident but when it came to guys, but he really wasn't.
It was starting the conversation he had trouble with.
Especially if the guy was hot.
And Red Head definitely was.
He needed to work on that.
He wasn't about to start using this guy as practice though.
He left the college twenty minutes after Red Head had been taken away.
Taking the train home was pretty boring just like that morning but he'd have to get used to it.
This was his life now.
---
So it turns out that the Hot Red Head from one of the Art courses takes Frank's train.
Frank had taken to calling him Hot Read Head and the name fit rather well.
It had taken Frank two weeks into the term to notice him.
It wasn't like he was hard to spot or anything.
They must have just ended up on different carriages each day.
Not on a Thursday afternoon though.
Frank was waiting at the station for the 16:33 train when he couldn't help but notice something bright red coming towards him.
When he looked to see what it was, his eyes widened when he saw Hot Red Head.
He passed Frank and stood next to one of the no smoking signs by the wall.
Frank's lips turned up into a smile before he turned away from him again.
The train eventually arrived and Frank nabbed a two-seater, placing his bag on the isle seat as a form of defence.
He had to look up when he noticed the same bright mop of hair pass him as he made his way down the isle.
Frank thought about moving his bag and seeing if he would come back in search of a seat but he decided against that idea just in case some irritating asshole slid in next to him.
For the next week, Frank noticed every time Hot Red Head passed him to stand by the no smoking sign and he sometimes saw him in the mornings as well.
Hot Red Head got on the stop just after Frank so that meant he lived in Jersey too.
That was oddly satisfying to Frank.
Frank usually managed to sit by himself for the most of the journey but sometimes he got stuck with some suit guy or an old lady.
It wasn't that he hated any form of social interaction, he would rather just listen to his music in the corner with no interruptions.
He would play nice and smile though if someone did end up sitting next to him.
He often found himself wanting that person to be Hot Read Head though just so he could look at him up-close.
---
Frank was getting used to the train journeys now.
He was glad he was one of the first stops on the way there so he could easily get a seat.
It was harder getting a seat on the way back.
He usually managed to get one but he did have to sit in the luggage compartment once.
Although, he was trying to forget about that.
It was a Tuesday morning on the third week.
Frank had just left his house to start his fifteen minute walk to the train station.
Even though it was only September, it was already getting chillier in the mornings.
It was going to get pretty cold pretty soon.
Frank sighed at the condensation on the windows of cars he passed.
He didn't mind the cold weather but he got cold easily and that meant he'd have to wear a coat and he hated coats.
On the train, he grabbed a two-seater as usual and turned his music up louder.
That was the only decent thing about these train journeys: listening to music.
He might have to start investing in buying coffee soon too just so he didn't fall asleep on the way there.
He usually only had time for one cup in the mornings before he left and that really wasn't enough caffeine to get him through the day.
The train pulled into Penn Station at the usual time and Frank headed straight to the college, cursing the hill already.
It took nearly ten minutes to get up it.
Frank powered through, focussing on Black Flag blearing through his headphones.
Fuck, this hill was going to get old very soon.
A lot of students were making their way up the hill as well and some were passing him, on their way down.
One guy walking towards him caught his eye.
He had a really nice face.
Frank's eyes followed the guy as he passed him and watched his departing figure.
Yep, his ass was as nice as his face.
Frank could tell that this school wouldn't lack attractive guys.
He hoped that he had a few good ones to choose from.
He was pretty sure that there had to be some gay guys, this being an art college and all.
When Frank had glanced behind him to check out that guy, he noticed Hot Red Head was a little behind him.
Okay, he was definitely doing Art.
For fuck's sake, he had bright red hair and was carrying an Art portfolio.
You didn't have to be a genius to work it out.
Hot Red Head noticed Frank looking at him and smiled a little before looking away.
Frank looked forward again, his cheeks burning.
That was a little embarrassing.
Taking his mind off of that awkward encounter, Frank thought about himself.
He was pretty sure it was obvious that he was taking music; with his guitar and all dressed in black with a Misfits t-shirt peeking out from under his hoodie.
Yeah, come on, it was obvious.
Frank thought back to Hot Red Head behind him.
The only other time Frank had seen him was during his tour on the second day.
For some reason, he had been taken around the Art and Dance rooms with the rest of the guitarists.
The tour groups had been split into the different musicians.
There were five other guitarists on Frank's course.
He couldn't remember two of the names at the time but the other two were called Matt and Ray.
They had been shown around the whole of the college.
Frank hadn't really given a shit about seeing the Art rooms but he had changed his mind when he was taken into one and there was Hot Red Head, drawing at a table on his own.
He had glanced up when the little group were herded in and his eyes met Frank's, because of course Frank was looking at him, and he had actually smiled a little before looking back down.
At least, Frank had hoped he had smiled at him.
He couldn't be sure though.
Jeez, he really needed to grow some balls and go talk to him.
Although, his excuse had been that it was the first week of college and he wanted to let them both settle into the college first.
It was now the third week though and he was just being stupid.
Whatever.
He would talk to him when he was ready.
Although, he probably wouldn't.
---
Frank managed to make it three whole weeks before he slept in.
On the fourth Monday, he pressed snooze on his alarm about three times.
So when he finally realised that he needed to get his ass out of bed, it was quarter to eight and he had fourteen minutes to get to the station.
Shit, why did sleep have to be so fucking good?
Frank was barely dressed when he grabbed his guitar and bag and practically ran to the station.
He was so late.
When he reached the right platform, the train was already there.
Come on, of course it was.
Just making it, he climbed on and collapsed into a two-seater, breathing heavily.
Fuck, he needed to start working out or something.
He didn't realise he was this out of shape.
The train set off about thirty seconds later and Frank cursed his selfish, sleepy past self.
Speaking of sleep...
Frank hadn't had time to have a coffee or a smoke so now he was gasping for both.
And now he had to wait an hour for either.
Shitting hell.
This was so not his day.
He spent most of the journey uncomfortable, feeling angry and half-asleep still.
By the time the train pulled into Penn Station, he was practically jumping out of his seat for one of his addictions.
He decided a coffee was first on his list.
There was a small cafe in the station.
He could buy the blackest coffee he could get and have it with a smoke outside.
Just the thought of that made his mouth water.
He was in so much of a caffeine and nicotine filled mindset that he didn't even notice who was waiting in line for coffee in front of him.
That was until he raked a hand through his bright red hair.
Frank's eyes widened immediately.
It was Hot Red Head.
He had been so distracted this morning, he hadn't kept up his casual glances for him.
It wasn't that Frank was always looking out for him, he just got a funny feeling in his chest whenever he saw him.
And he kind of liked that feeling.
Hot Red Head was about to say his order.
Is it true you can tell a lot about someone from their coffee order?
"Hi um... Can I have-"
"A large black coffee?" The barrister finished his order for him, smiling.
Frank's eyebrow raised a little.
Did this guy come here a lot?
"Oh um yes..." The guy's cheeks went pink.
When the barrister turned to make the coffee, Frank found himself saying, "Come here a lot?"
Hot Red Head looked a little startled at his words but looked at him and smiled sheepishly.
"Something like that..."
Usually, Frank would think of some sarcastic remark in response but because he was lacking in his usual nutriments, that's right coffee and nicotine are what keeps him alive, he couldn't really think of anything to say.
A minute later, Hot Red Head had his coffee and was leaving.
Frank was still proud of himself though.
He had actually spoken to him.
He could now tick that off his list.
Okay, he knew he was supposed to have a proper conversation with him and maybe ask him out but come on, that had been pretty good for a guy with no caffeine in his system.
Hot Red Head's voice was a little different than what he had expected but he still liked it.
Hopefully, he'd be able to hear it again sometime.
Frank ordered the same thing, which was what he had been going to get anyway, not because he's a creep.
He then slowly made his way up to the college, drinking the boiling liquid and smoking happily.
He would be okay now.
Although, he was coming up to the hill.
Come on, black coffee, don't fail him now.
---
"Hey! Frank!"
Frank looked up at the sound of his name.
Who was calling him at the fucking train station?
Someone with big hair and an equally big smile to match was waving and walking over to him.
Frank smirked and pulled out his headphones.
"Ray, what you doing here?"
Ray stopped next to him, his grin still intact.
"Getting the train, Dumbass, what does it look like?"
Frank laughed a little.
"Okay, you got me there. I've never seen you get it before and I get it every motherfucking day."
"My girlfriend lives in Jersey. I'm staying at hers this weekend," Ray smiled wider, if that was fucking possible.
Frank raised an eyebrow.
"Oh yeah? The whole weekend? What're you two gonna be doing all that time?"
Ray blushed a little and looked up at the board to hide his face.
"Uh just... Stuff. Do you live in Jersey then?" He changed the subject quickly.
Frank nodded, "Yeah. Born and bred."
Ray frowned at him.
"You've bred?"
Frank couldn't help but burst out laughing at that.
"Shit, no way, Dude. I'm not responsible enough to be a dad. Plus, it's impossible for me," He shrugged, not really bothered.
"You could always adopt," Ray offered, smiling again.
It took Frank a moment to realise what Ray meant.
He looked at him again.
"Wait-"
"Hey, it's okay," Ray's smile took a warmer tone, "I already know you like guys."
Frank's eyes widened, "You-you do?"
He couldn't recall telling anyone about his sexual orientation.
Ray nodded, looking to the tracks again, "I noticed you checking out Matt on the first day."
Frank felt his cheeks blaze.
"Shit," He licked his lips, trying to think of anything to say, "I uh... Shit."
Ray laughed a little.
"It's okay. I don't think anyone else noticed."
Frank nodded, relieved when he saw the train pulling in.
This conversation was getting way too awkward for him.
Thankfully, Ray had changed the subject anyway.
"So where abouts do you live in Jersey?"
They continued their talk as they got on and sat in a four-seater.
Frank actually hadn't sat in a four-seater so far.
There was always the worry that someone would sit next to him.
Or worse, he could end up with three strangers, pinning him against the window.
Luckily, Ray was sat next to him so he was okay.
However, there was always the chance that someone would sit across from him.
The train was filling up fast as it usually did at this time.
He was glad he didn't get the rush hour train.
Just before the train left, Frank looked out the window to see no other than Hot Red Head speed-walking to the train.
Frank couldn't help but smile as he watched him.
He must be running late this afternoon.
Frank didn't really give it a further thought until he saw Hot Red Head appear next to their four-seater, biting his lip.
He looked around quickly for other seat options before looking back at them.
He looked panicked as he was running out of options.
Frank smirked at him.
Eventually, he gave in and slid in across the table from Ray and Frank.
He sat by the window and placed his bag on the chair next to him.
Frank noted that he was avoiding all eye contact, keeping his head down.
It took him a moment to comprehend that Hot Red Head was actually sat across from him.
Ray was talking about something or other, but Frank was focussed on the guy across from him.
Hot Red Head was putting his headphones in and pulling out a sketchpad and pencil.
Was he actually going to draw on the train?
Fuck, he really was an artist.
The train pulled out of the station and Frank could tell that this was going to be a long journey.
"What do you think?"
Frank was pulled out of his thoughts, "Hm? What?"
Ray laughed next to him.
"It doesn't matter. You okay?"
Frank looked at him, "Yeah, fine."
He spent the rest of the journey occasionally saying something to Ray and trying to casually look at Hot Red Head.
The problem was, whenever Frank looked at him, he was already looking at Frank.
Frank, of course, immediately looked away, feeling awkward.
What was this guy's game?
They eventually stopped at the station two stops before Frank's and Ray said his goodbyes and left.
That meant it was just Frank and Hot Red Head.
They had about ten minutes before they reached the next stop, Hot Red Head's stop.
Shit.
Being alone with him was not part of Frank's initial plan.
Not that he had a plan.
Frank put his headphones in and turned up The Misfits, trying to be invisible to the guy across from him.
That was kind of impossible though.
Hot Red Head slowly put his things back in his bag and sat back a little, looking straight at Frank.
What had happened to him avoiding all eye contact?
Frank couldn't help but catch his eye and smile a little.
Hot Red Head blushed in response and finally looked down.
Had Frank made him blush?
Well, okay then.
He could roll with that.
When they stopped again, Hot Red Head couldn't get off the train fast enough.
Frank smirked at his departing figure before cursing himself.
That would have been the perfect moment to do something, anything.
And now he had the whole weekend to kick himself.
---
Besides the stupidly long train journeys, Frank was actually enjoying college.
I mean, come on, he got to play his guitar practically every day.
Although, lugging it up that hill was not fun.
He didn't mind going down the hill.
It was basically a straight line to the station.
He just had to turn right at one point and then he was there.
He usually got to the station about ten minutes before his 16:33 train.
He would either use this time to have a smoke or buy some food for the journey
Because he had smoked on the way down and wasn't hungry, he just stood in front of one of the no smoking signs, waiting for the train to arrive.
After about two minutes of listening to The Smashing Pumpkins, he sensed someone watching him.
He looked up to see Hot Red Head staring at him.
Frank felt a bit awkward before he realised something.
"Shit, sorry," He moved away from the sign and next to the wall.
Hot Red Head smiled slightly before he took his usual spot in front of the sign.
After thirty seconds of awkward silence, Frank had subtly taken his headphones out, Hot Red Head pulled out his own and sighed at their tangled state.
Frank suddenly found the balls he had dropped.
"You want some help with that?"
The guy looked up at Frank's words.
Before he could say anything, Frank said, "I'm an expert at untangling those, I swear."
The guy smiled shyly before handing Frank the headphones.
Not expecting him to actually take him up on his offer, Frank grinned and started to work on them.
"They need to work on making some that don't tangle," The guy said quietly.
"I know right," Frank smiled at him, "They spend like, two minutes in your pocket and then they're fucked up like this."
Hot Red Head nodded in agreement.
Frank untangled the headphones, thanking Lord that today was the day he could actually untangle those fuckers, and handed them back to Hot Red Head.
Hot Red Head smiled in reply but then bit his lip, looking down at them.
Frank watched to see what he would do.
He didn't know what was happening but he was still interested.
In the end, Hot Red Head just held the headphones and looked up at Frank.
"I've seen you on the train. You live in Jersey right?"
Frank actually had to force his jaw not to drop open.
This motherfucking hot as fuck guy was actually starting a conversation with Frank?!
"Uh yeah," Frank cleared his throat, "You get off at the stop just before mine."
"Oh cool," Hot Red Head smiled.
Before Frank could even comprehend what was happening, the train pulled into the station.
He followed Hot Red Head onto it and then started looking for a two-seater where he and his bag could reside in peace.
However, he hadn't anticipated Hot Red Head sliding into a four-seater and nodding at Frank to sit across from him.
Of course Frank wasn't going to pass this up.
He sat down on the aisle seat diagonally across from Hot Red Head.
Sitting directly across from him would seem too keen, right?
Frank was trying to play it cool.
Well, as cool as he could anyway.
He didn't expect much more conversation so he put his headphones back in.
As the train pulled away from the station, Hot Red Head did the same thing and put his newly untangled headphones in.
He kept one of the ear buds out though, the one on Frank's side.
Did that mean that he was expecting a conversation?
That was usually an open invitation.
Frank quickly pulled out one of his on Hot Red Head's side.
The carriage was quiet around them.
The afternoon train usually was.
People were too tired to strike up any form of social interaction.
There was actually a guy asleep in the seat across the aisle from Frank.
That was to be expected though.
There's always some clown sleeping on the train, doesn't matter what time it is.
Hot Red Head didn't say anything for the rest of the journey.
Although, he kept glancing at Frank like he was expecting him to start a conversation.
Frank couldn't think of what to say though and he felt a little nervous for some reason.
When it was his turn to get off the train, Hot Red Head smiled at Frank and said, "See you around college sometime, I guess."
Frank nodded like a fucking bobble-head.
"Yeah. Rad."
He mentally hit himself for sounding like a prat.
What the fuck was wrong with him?
Hot Red Head still smiled before getting up and leaving.
Frank sighed and placed his head on the table in front of him.
That could have gone a little better.