Chapter Text
It was a moderately normal day, the sun was shining, the clouds were gone, and the Way brothers were sitting outside on their patio. Their shirts were off (something both brothers rarely indulged in, but today was a good day), and they were comfy underneath the shade.
Gerard was lounging in a big lawn chair his dad owned and kept out all summer, striped with blue and red. Black gym shorts adorned his hips and he let out a content sigh as he gently rested his hands on his abdomen. Big sunglasses encased his face, and his black hair fell messily in front of his eyes.
The younger way brother was similarly placed, yet he was on a short camping chair and enjoying the sun more than his brother. He had thin pajama pants on, which seemed perfect for the occasion as they depicted a surfing Lilo and Stitch. He absentmindedly drank a red bull, swishing it around and fiddling with the silver necklace on his collarbone.
Gerard almost seemed asleep with how solid he was. In reality, he was kinda debating if he should go inside now or not. Sure, the fresh air was nice, and so was the time he spent with his brother. But he was getting antsy with his shirt off, and the sun creeping its way towards his pale skin. He figured he could due for a nap right about now, and with that, he let out a soft sigh and rose up from his chair, hearing his back pop indignantly.
The other Way brother looked up curiously, squinting. He smiled knowingly. "Have enough?" Mikey chuckled.
"Mm." Gerard agreed with a nod, stretching his stiff muscles from lying down for so long. He was sure the lawn chair had made an indentation on his bare back, but he didn't have the guts to check. "I'm heading inside," He yawned. "Might take a nap. You want anything?"
"Nah, I'm good." Mikey leaned back in his chair, smiling assuringly. "I'll probably come inside in a bit."
"Okay." Gerard smiled, opening the sliding door and stepping inside their much colder house.
Almost instantly, his phone began to ring, making him huff disappointedly before checking the caller ID.
His mood was quickly lifted, though, seeing the ID of one of his most favorite people.
"Hello?" He said as he answered.
"Hey, Gee." Frank's voice came smoothly, and Gerard felt a shiver down his spine. He hadn't heard his voice in a few days since they were both so busy. Frank's voice had some sort of spell on Gerard, that somehow made him naturally giddy - and he'd be lying if he didn't say this part - something like, submissive. It slightly nerved Gerard how much he was willing to do for Frank when he was asked, but he knew Frank would never take advantage of that anyway.
"Hi, Frankie." Gerard said cutely, lightly kicking his socked foot against his kitchen tiles. "What's up?"
"Just wanted to call my favorite boy, that's all." Frank said easily, and Gerard felt his heart thump erratically as he bit his lip and giggled as if he were some naive schoolgirl - which he WASN'T. He swore. "I also just wanted to see if you wanted to hang out with some friends? Ray, Pete, and them?"
Oh. Gerard should have known Frank wanted to hang out. That was okay. Just... He was a little nervous around seeing people. Even if it was with Frank, or his closest friends. It just felt so nerve-wracking.
"C-Could Mikey come?" Gerard found himself asking hesitantly, despite knowing his brother probably was fine hanging out by himself for a couple hours.
"Of course!" Frank assured, and Gerard could literally hear his smile through the line. "I was actually just going to text Mikey too, after I got off the phone with you. I figured he wasn't with you, or something."
"No, he's just outside." Gerard smiled. "O-Okay, I'll come. D-Did you want to pick us up, or should we come to you?"
"I'll pick you up, baby, it's alright." Frank chuckled, and Gerard felt a deep blush on his cheeks. "See you in... 15 minutes?"
Gerard's eyes widened, but he nodded. "Uh... Sure! See you then, bye-bye."
Frank left him with a chuckle and a goodbye before hanging up, leaving Gerard to have to frantically scramble up the stairs to get barely ready to hang out with his boyfriend whom he's only been dating for a month.
He threw on a ratty band shirt, making sure it was loose enough to hide his body and make him look okay. He tousled his hair, took his sunglasses off, took a long, deep breath, and he was out.
He went and got Mikey too, who was pleasantly surprised his brother wanted to get out of the house. He knew it was because Frank was there, but it was still good progress.
There was a knock at their door not 3 minutes later, and Gerard almost overexerted himself running so fast to it, which made Mikey laugh.
He swung the door open, and he felt his whole demeanor change from nervousness to excitement and awe. He stared at Frank, taking his hand happily and letting him inside while Mikey quickly went upstairs to change.
"Hi!" Gerard chirped.
"Hey, babe." Frank smiled, pulling Gerard into a gentle hug. "How are you? I feel like I haven't seen you in a long time."
Frank almost pouted, and Gerard beamed. "It was only, like, 3 days." Gerard assured, smiling brightly at his boyfriend. He didn't know if it was still the "puppy-love" stage or not, since it was mainly only him being so gushy and happy, but he didn't care as long as Frank still stuck around.
Frank chuckled, holding Gerard's cheeks. "Aren't you cute. How do you look so pretty even when you're only in your normal clothes?"
Gerard's blush covered his face down to his neck as he bit his lip softly. "Thank you, Frank... but I'm not that pretty." He said nervously. He was not the most confident guy.
"Whatever. You're adorable." Frank insisted, kissing Gerard's cheek softly, and they were interrupted by the younger Way brother clearing his throat.
"Stop being all lovey-dovey and let's get the hell out of here."
Gerard giggled quietly, letting Frank hold his hand and take them outside to his car.
They drove to the place, which was just a little park that had a couple people - their friends - sitting on the top story of the playground that was closed off for the night. It was a little rebellious, but they didn't care. They all could run.
Mikey ran off ahead, wanting to talk to Ray, and Patrick. Gerard stayed back with Frank a little, going slower. Frank could sense Gerard's nerves.
"You know all these people, Gee. What's wrong?" Frank asked gently.
"I don't know." Gerard said bashfully, flexing his fingers against Frank's. "I-I just get this kinda way.... Where- um, I only wanna be around Mikey, o-or you," He said hesitantly. "I don't really know why. J'st happens."
"I understand." Frank said honestly, bringing Gerard's hand up to his lips to kiss the back of it gently. He seemed in thought for a moment while Gerard blushed. Finally, the tattooed man spoke up. "Hey, Gerard? Can I ask you something?"
Gerard smiled and nodded softly, knowing his tone wasn't off, so it was safe.
"This might seem... really weird, okay? I don't mean it in a prying way, and I know we haven't been going out for long enough to really talk about this, but..." Frank said, a little awkwardly. His hand squeezed tighter against Gerard's until they were stopping and staring at each other.
When Frank didn't continue, Gerard looked up at him a little nervously. "I-Is it bad? Are you gonna tell me something bad?" He worried.
"No," Frank smiled, kissing his hand gently. "This is just a little bit of a personal question for you. I don't mind whatever you answer, I just want to know."
"O-Okay.." Gerard bit his lip softly, big eyes staring up at Frank.
Frank smiled reassuringly. "Do you know what a little is? Or an age-regressor? Or, ah, even though it's not directly related to those, a submissive?" He asked quietly.
Oh. Gerard's eyes widened. He knew what some of that was, not a lot- or enough. He nodded a little, but shrugged.
"A- A little. I guess. W-Why? Are you...?" Gerard felt breathless asking that. If Frank was submissive, they wouldn't work out a whole lot. Gerard was not one to naturally take control.
"No, no." Frank chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. He gently tucked a strand of the boy's raven black hair behind his ear, looking at him properly. "Do you know what a daddy is? Or a caregiver? Or, I guess sometimes a dominant?"
"Oh," Gerard gnawed on his lip, making it bleed a little. This whole conversation was making him nervous, he didn't understand where it was heading. "Y-Yeah? B-But why...? A-Am I supposed to know this? W-What-"
"Hush," Frank shushed him gently, holding his cheek softly. "You're getting way too ahead of yourself, honey." He smiled softly, kissing his forehead after a moment. "Breathe, I'll explain."
Gerard got his breathing back to normal, looking at Frank curiously. "S-So..?"
"I'm- Well, I don't want to say I am a.. dominant, sort of, because that's too harsh, but, I just have this... natural thing to lead . To take care of, y'know? And-" Frank paused, thinking how to word this. "I think it's rubbing off on you; making you act much more submissive and clingy and sweeter than you usually are. - When you're around me."
Gerard did notice that too. But what did that mean to Frank? Was he not supposed to feel like that?
"Is that bad?" Gerard frowned.
"No, baby, not at all. It's just..." Frank hummed in thought. "That only really happens when you subconsciously want it to happen. It's like hypnosis; you can't be hypnotized if you don't let yourself be hypnotized." Frank explained easily, gently rubbing his thumb against Gerard's pink cheek. "Do you kinda get what I'm saying?"
"You think.... um, you think I might be.. a little? Or- a-age regressor?" Gerard said unsurely.
"Yeah, kinda." Frank nodded. "I know this is a bad time to be talking about this, but I think it could be the reason you're acting funny with our friends. Y'know, before we started dating, I could kinda sense it.. in a way. But now that we're together, I think you..." Frank sighed, not wanting his words to register badly. "I think you think of me as like, your caregiver. And you feel nervous around other people because... because you want to be, uh, good? And you might be feeling a little small, and you don't know it."
"Small?" Gerard asked softly. The rest made sense a little, especially when Frank was saying it. He didn't quite understand what Frank meant, though.
"Yeah, like..." Frank scratched his own chin gently as he thought how to explain. "Like, little kid headspace. Not quite that far yet, I don't think you've been comfortable enough for that. But, something like that."
Gerard took a minute to think this all over. Frank said this was some subconscious thing, so there's... nothing wrong with him. If he was honest, that made the most sense. Gerard was always feeling strange, especially lately, getting really giddy and.. childish over little things and acting something like a kid. But he thought it was just happiness. He didn't have a lot of experience in that, he guesses. Now that he's really thinking about it, this made a LOT of sense.
"Baby? You with me?" Frank asked softly, gently rubbing Gerard's shoulders. "You're way too far in your hea- Oh, do you think you're regressing now, honey?"
That sentence made Gerard's brain click. He looked up at Frank, seemingly normal, but pouted a little. His brain was fuzzy and the way Frank was talking to him and looking at him was making him fuzzier.
"I-I don't know... Jus' feel kinda funny..." Gerard stammered.
Frank had a somewhat knowing smile on his face, dragging his hands down Gerard's arms comfortingly. "Okay, baby. You feelin' fuzzy, sweetheart? Getting tiny?"
Gerard swore he'd never felt like this since he was a small boy. He almost felt like he was shrinking, but his body stayed in place. He didn't think something could happen this fast, but after he figured out this information, it felt so scary but super natural, especially with Frank here. As if this was meant to happen now.
He whimpered nervously, making a noise he'd never heard out of his own mouth before. Frank took him into his arms, stroking his back.
"It's alright." Frank whispered. "I got you. D-" He paused. "Daddy's got you..."
He wasn't entirely sure how Gerard would feel about that, but it seemed to be the right choice when a thumb was in Gerard's mouth and he was looking up at him with all of his trust.
"Okay. I think we need to go." Frank chuckled, trying to get Gerard to walk towards his car. He was stumbling, tripping over his feet accidentally as he held onto Frank's hand. "Frankie." He whimpered.
Frank was quick to pick him up without much of a hassle from the now littler boy. Even though Gerard was a little chubby, Frank barely noticed it. All he was focused on was getting his small boyfriend to the car.
After getting in, he buckled him up and shot a text to the group chat about how they had to leave because Gerard wasn't feeling good. Mikey would get a ride from Patrick.
Gerard, now a little fearful that he was so not in control of his own brain, gripped Frank's arm softly.
"Hey, sweetie, it's alright." Frank soothed. "We're gonna go back to your house and I'll stay the night, okay?"
Gerard nodded, his big eyes having unshed tears of nervousness. When they arrived to his and Mikey's house, Frank sprinted around to yank open Gerard's door before he could, which earned him a nervous giggle.
"Hey, baby, let Daddy lift you up." Frank eased him carefully, making sure he didn't fall. Gerard wrapped his arms around Frank's neck securely, nuzzling his face in his neck.
Frank chuckled breathily as he unlocked the door with Gerard's key. He took him to his bedroom, making sure his parents weren't home just yet. They weren't, so he was free to baby his boyfriend as much as he could in the little time he was sure he had.
"It's okay, baby, this is okay." Frank murmured, bouncing his boyfriend gently on his hip. "Oh, you got tiny so fast. Let Daddy help."
Frank was right about naturally taking care of things. It was like a puzzle piece was snapped together, and he fell into his role quite perfectly even if he'd never done this before with anyone else.
He coddled Gerard in his room, just in case his parents decided to show up randomly - or Mikey. Frank was sure Gerard didn't want his family knowing about this, and that was okay with him.
"There, fit so snugly in my lap, hm?" Frank cooed, rocking Gerard gently as he suckled on his own thumb. That was bad, Frank was definitely going to get him a nice pacifier soon. He moved Gerard's silky hair from his eyes and smiled, feeling so much more adoration he thought was possible for his boyfriend. He was so tiny and cute.