Aquarium (BandomBigBang) - by xoxxblitz7

[xoxxblitz7]

Aquarium - by xoxxblitz7



The colours are magnificent. There is a mixture, a swirl of blues and greens and yellows and every other colour you could imagine. It’s like looking at a piece of art, the only difference being is that this canvas moves. The vibrant colours swirl and change, weave and swim and to this art, there’s a soundtrack. There’s a constant drill of children flailing and screaming, a thud of tiny hands banging against the glass and trying so hard to gain the attention of the creatures in front of them.

New Jersey’s local aquarium holds many kinds of marine wildlife, ranging from the electric yellow tropical fish to the dull grey marble sharks. It opens its doors every morning at 8am sharp to stampedes of children with their parents, who have managed to secure a precious day from work, or the poor school teachers who have arranged a field trip. The centre closes a whole ten hours later, often with a sigh of relief from the staff. For the people who work at the aquarium, it’s a challenge, and for Frank Iero, it’s the most challenging thing in his life, to date.

Frank Iero is twenty four. He’s been working at the aquarium for just over a year and it’s been the longest year of Frank’s life, he’s sure. Of course, his job is the most rewarding and fulfilling job he could picture himself doing, but it’s demanding. He often works ten hours straight with a half hour break in the middle but he doesn’t complain because it’s worth his time when he knows he’s helped one of the sharks have an improved quality of life, as opposed to ending up in shark fin soup. He loves being in the centre, watching the marine life and seeing kids’ faces when it’s feeding time for the stingrays, when they slowly lower their hands to the water and as the creature starts to suck the food from their hands, the sheer look of excitement on their faces.

Difficult children and parents alike are a regular occurrence at the aquarium, and as parents are often too busy on their cells to watch their child play safely, the kids fill their time with banging on the glass, sticky smears and fingerprints on the glass that Frank’s only just cleaned. It’s days like this that Frank often asks himself why he decided to work at a family centre and didn’t take the opportunity to travel to some magnificent barrier reef in the tropics. He’s still not too sure why he didn’t take the travelling option, the opportunity to see someplace other than New Jersey. He thinks it might be something to do with the actual getting to his destination, because as much as Frank loves all things sea life, his legs and stomach certainly do not.

Frank’s mom had always wanted Frank to travel abroad to work as she claimed it would broaden his views on the world. Frank didn’t really care about seeing much of the world really, only its animals. He often thought about taking an extended break and travelling on safari to see animals he only ever imagined he’d see in books, but the sharks and his department at work kept his feet firmly on the soil of New Jersey and the only time Frank went near the airport was to get to work on the highway. As well as having a slight phobia of boats Frank also hated airplanes. He just didn’t understand them and claimed that if men were made to fly they would have been born with wings. Of course, he didn’t really believe himself when he stated this, it was just his excuse so that he could stay right at home where he was comfortable and not have to face his irrational fears of boats and all things aviation.

-

“No. No!” Frank hears somebody scream and a few hard thuds of somebody banging on the glass follows. It’s just gone 9am and Frank already has a headache. All he wants from today is some peace and quiet, and maybe some ear plugs?

“Get me out! Mikey, I said no!” Frank listens carefully to the shouts coming from the end of his tunnel which holds the tiger sharks. Frank initially thinks it might be a kid thrashing itself against the glass and he really doesn’t have time to be telling any children off right now because really, he hates to play the part of the annoying keeper but the marine life do not appreciate the vibrations from a child banging against their tanks. As he listens closer though, it’s not what he thinks. Setting down his large net which he’s using to scoop the bits of left over breakfast from the tanks, he wanders back out to the tunnel to see what the fuss is all about.

“Mikey, I hate you – fuck, what the hell?!” They scream again, voice full of panic.

Frank’s slightly confused when he’s not met with a screaming child with an attitude problem, but a grown man practically climbing the tank walls, throwing his arms around and trying to get past two other men, both of which are laughing.

“But Gerard, look at the pretty sharks!” One of the men mocks, a smirk playing across his face.

Frank looks on confused but as the man continues to shout and children start to stop and stare, he quickly walks over to help.

“Excuse me,” Frank speaks in a clear voice as he walks over to the three men but as they bicker between themselves, his voice is lost. He clears his throat and speaks louder this time. “Sorry, excuse me?” He speaks clearer and the three men turn around, staring at him.

“Sorry, I heard some shouting.” He tells them and then turns to the man who looks the most shocked. “Are you okay, sir?” He asks now he has their attention. The man in the middle gulps and nods, before shrugging off the other two that are still holding his shirt.

“I er, I-” His voice is croaky from his previous shouting.

“Can I help you at all?”

“I need, I need to get out of here.” He states, obviously short of breath and panicking.

The two men - Frank assumes one of them is Mikey, snigger and step forward.

“Honestly, he’s fine. He’s just a little scared...” Mikey speaks with a smirk.

“Okay, well, I’m Frank and I’m a marine specialist here at the aquarium. I can see you’re a little…” Frank moves his hands to find a word that won’t embarrass the man in front of him.

“I’m petrified...” Gerard has no qualms in admitting.

“…petrified, so um, would you like to come with me and sit down for a minute?”

Gerard’s face softens a little at this offer, obviously thinking the plan over in his head. He nods, anything to get out of this damn freaky tunnel with crazy ass fish.

“Follow me, there’s a teaching room around here we can sit in.” Frank instructs and Gerard nods.

“But Gee I wanna go look at the other sharks!” Mikey huffs and points over to the glass tank the other end of the tunnel, sounding much like the other 5 year old kids do. Gerard rolls his eyes and turns back to Frank.

Frank smiles at Mikey. “Go look at the sharks, I’ll take care of your friend for you.”

Mikey snorts and winks at Gerard. “Brother, unfortunately.”

Gerard rolls his eyes and motions for Mikey to go away. “Go look at the damn sharks. I’ll text you.”

Mikey grins and before Gerard can say anything else he’s gone with his friend, most probably to run to the glass tanks and bang on the glass like the kids. He was probably sounding the Jaws theme tune, too. Gerard shakes his head and smiles over to the direction his little brother fled and then turns back to Frank who’s smiling lightly.

“I‘m an only kid. You‘re lucky to have a brother.” Frank smiles fondly.

Gerard scoffs. “Trust me, if I were you I‘d be thanking my lucky stars!” He laughs and looks down at his feet. “But yeah, I know what you mean. He’s a good kid, when he wants to be and when he doesn’t have the craziest ideas in his warped little head.”

Gerard sees Frank’s face tug in to a smile and he motions towards the door just to the left of them. Gerard follows awkwardly and as Frank opens the door and walks in, he’s met with yet another room of blue. Frank looks around and then back to Gerard with an apologetic smile.

“Sorry, I forgot the walls were painted pretty much the same as the tanks.”

Gerard shifts from foot to foot quite awkwardly once again. “S‘okay. Better that the real thing I guess.” He mumbles and moves to pull a chair out from the large conference table in the middle of the room. Frank also sits down a few chairs away from Gerard and moves his feet so they are resting on the table.

“I‘m sorry, don‘t you have work to do or something? I‘m probably distracting you.” Gerard stumbles over his words as Frank shakes his head.

“No, it’s fine. I’ve been here way before eight anyway” Frank states, running a hand through his hair. “So, what‘s with the phobia?” Frank asks, not wanting to sound too mean or invasive, in hope Gerard will talk a little more.

Gerard blushes and rubs at his eye. “I‘ve been scared of water and anything in it for as long as I can remember.” He speaks, cheeks flushing a pale pink.

“You know why?” Frank asks as he ruffles his black, chin length thick hair before setting his hands back on the table.

“I don’t think so. Well, when I was younger my Mom and Grandma used to take me and Mikey to the shore. I liked it for a while till I nearly drowned one time.” Gerard explains and visibly shudders.

“Mom and Grandma left me to look out for Mikey as they went to get some snacks.” Gerard starts before stopping to cough a little, clearing his throat. “They told us not to go near the water, but as soon as they walked off Mikey ran.”

Frank laughs a little because from what he’s just seen of Gerard’s brother, he can picture something of the sort.

“He couldn’t swim. I had to help him but then I was the one that needed rescuing…” Gerard concludes and Frank nods, a warm smile still across his face. Gerard’s cheeks are still stained pink as he finishes.


“I can see why you‘re scared of water, many people are, if they‘ve had something traumatic happen involving it.” Frank states and cocks his head to the side, staring at Gerard who is now biting at his fingernails. “Why the animals in the water though?”

Gerard scrunches his eyebrows together and bites on his fingernail, thinking, maybe. “I don‘t really have a valid reason for that one. I guess I know they live in water and it freaks me out. I just, I don‘t like anything to do with water.”

“Then how do you bathe?” Frank laughs.

Gerard blushes again and starts to fidget again. This is uncomfortable.

“I don‘t. I shower. Bath time holds too many traumatic memories for me too. Much like the sea side but me only thinking I was going to drown and get eaten by the deadly plug monster.”

Frank laughed and when Gerard glares at him, he tries to stop. It doesn’t work.

“I‘m sorry! It‘s just, the plug monster? Really?” Frank laughs again and Gerard furrows his eyebrows together, trying not to laugh himself.

“Yes, really! Mikey used to tease me all the time as kids. I would run and hide under the bed at bath times.”

Frank bites his lip this time in an attempt to stop himself from laughing again.

“Hey! Don‘t laugh. You‘re meant to be helping me!” Gerard points out and he suddenly feels a little more comfortable, especially with Frank.

Frank’s face straightens up and he looks at Gerard with a serious expression.

“You‘re right, I am meant to be helping. I‘m sorry. So, how about I take you around the aquarium for a little while and introduce you to some of the fish?”

Gerard scrunches his face. “I have to go see them again?”

“Well you don‘t have to…” Frank sighs and smiles, warm and encouraging. “But I think it would do you some good to confront the fear. And having a trained marine biologist next to you should make you feel very safe.” Frank smirks now “Not to mention the reinforced glass between you.”

“Oh, very safe I‘m sure.” Gerard mocks but smiles and stands up from his chair, pushing it back into the table. “Come on then, let’s get this over with.”

Frank laughs a little and follows Gerard out of the teaching room and out into the aquarium.

-

“So this is a Cherub Angelfish.” Frank points at the smaller tank towards the beginning of the aquarium. “It is an omnivore, but don’t worry, it won’t eat you.” Frank laughs and watches as Gerard’s face turns into a scowl.

“That‘s not funny.” Gerard states with a serious face as he chews on his lip.

Frank smirks. “Don‘t worry, they won’t eat you really... But I‘m sure some of the sharks round the other side would.” Frank states with a big grin to which Gerard scowls some more. “Don’t worry! They’re all kept behind very strong glass, they won‘t break it…”

Gerard sighs but his face is still set to a slight panic.

“…Much.” Frank laughs again and this time Gerard’s face is a picture.

“Frank!”

“Okay, okay! I‘m sorry. Let’s go look at some midnight angelfish, I think you‘ll like those.”

It surprises Gerard how easily he’s talking to this guy he barely knows. He feels strangely relaxed around him though, even as he‘s surrounded by fish and water, gallons and gallons of water.


-

“Mikey, I want to go home now.” Gerard sighs as Mikey is still pressing his face against the tanks full of sharks, pretending to be Dr Doolittle or something equally crazy.

“Hello, Mr shark!” Mikey coos, not even giving Gerard’s angry voice any recognition. “Aren‘t you a pretty shark?”

Gerard sighs and rubs his hands over his tired frustrated face. It’s been a long day and one that Gerard would rather have not had a part in. Okay, so he and Frank had a good time talking and laughing and in all honesty Gerard can’t remember the last time he clicked with somebody that well. As they walked around the aquarium Gerard still had that nervous and edgy persona about him, but somehow walking with Frank had made the experience a little less frightening.

Frank had taken Gerard around to the kid’s part of the aquarium, the part where you could look at the pretty fish and maybe stroke a small sea turtle if you were lucky. Gerard didn’t want to go near any animal, he made that pretty clear when Frank suggested he push his hand into the water and say hello to the smallest turtle they had, probably the size of his thumb nail. At that moment the only thing Gerard wanted to say hello to was the exit and his car. Frank did his best however to introduce Gerard to some of the more child like animals, the less scary ones. And if Gerard was being totally honest, he felt at ease with Frank and he didn’t mind as much that he was surrounded by the thing he hated the most.

“Michael James fuckin’ Way.” Gerard’s losing his cool.

Mikey looks around quickly, totally oblivious to the other shouts and pleads Gerard’s made previously.

“What?”

“I want to go home. Now.”

Mikey scrunches up his face and is just about to point to the shark swimming towards him, but before he can open his mouth Gerard grabs a tight hold of his arm and drags him as quickly as possible towards the exit.


-

It’s been a few weeks since Mikey dragged Gerard to the aquarium under false pretenses and he’s about to do the same again. Of course, Gerard doesn’t know and is just as unsuspecting as the first time. Fool.

“Gee, I need some help with this field trip on Wednesday.” Mikey mutters between shoveling heaps of pasta down his throat.

“And you‘re telling me this because?” Gerard places his fork down on to the table and picks up his can of Coke.

“I need you to come help me…”

“No!”

“Bu-”

“No Mikey! I helped you last time and look what happened!”

“It wasn‘t my fault that kid nearly drowned! They should be able to swim from birth if you ask me!”

“And the other trip…?”

Mikey sighs. “Again, not my fault the kid didn’t know Lego is not for lunch!”

Gerard scoffs and rolls his eyes. “I‘m not helping again. I can’t deal with the angry parents at the end of the day.”

“Please Gee? The other assistant dropped out.”

“I‘m not surprised!” Gerard laughs whilst taking another large gulp of his soda.

“Please? I‘ll buy you a new comic?”

Gerard smirks.

“How about that limited edition I wanted?”

Mikey’s eyes widen. “That costs fifty bucks!”

Gerard only smirks again.

“Fine! But you’d better stay and help me all day!”


-
Wednesday soon rolls around and as Mikey drives to the day centre where he works as a manager, he rounds the children onto the mini bus before preparing his ‘beginning of the trip’ speech. Gerard has always said to his brother that he has no idea just how parents actually trust Mikey enough to leave their children with him for the day. He’s as accident prone as a two year old and Gerard’s sure he’s got the mental age of one, too.

“Okay, kiddies, we all know Gerard is coming on the trip with us today, but it‘s a surprise! Gerard doesn‘t know where we‘re going either! You think you can all keep quiet until we get there?” Mikey asks with an innocent smile and animated facial expressions.

The bus erupts with cheers of ‘Yes!’ and as he sees Gerard approaching the bus he sighs with relief.

“Okay kids, remember - it‘s a surprise!”

The children all nod and as Gerard climbs on to the bus and takes a seat at the front, they all smile innocently up at him.

-


It doesn’t take long for the bus to arrive at the aquarium, but when it does, Gerard’s face is something of which Mikey was dreading, and when he does, he knows he’s in trouble. As the bus comes to a halt right outside the main entrance, Gerard stands up to face the bus of unsuspecting children.

“Alright! Who knew we were coming to the aquarium?” He asks with a fierce face.

Almost all of the kids push their hands in to the air and some even feel the need to shout “me!” One of the kids kindly lets Gerard in on a little secret that Mikey had told them it was a big surprise for him and they weren’t to tell him. Gerard turns around to look at Mikey but his younger brother has already opened the bus doors and has started to call the kids out on to the parking lot for register. Gerard only growls and walks out, knowing full well he can’t just leave Mikey with the kids now. He has to think of safety regulations, and all that crap.

Gerard really doesn’t understand why he should have to face his fears. It’s not as if he visits the aquarium often though, with Mikey dragging him to the damn place it looks as if it’s turning out that way. He grumbles something about a members card or something to himself before reaching for his smokes. Just as he’s about to spark up, he remembers where he is, and who he is with before grumbling ‘fuckin’ kids’ and shoving the carton back in to his pocket.

Rounding the kids up was an easy task for Mikey and as he counted heads to make sure the numbers were correct, they move towards the door. They stop at the ticket desk and as Mikey places an arm around his brother’s neck, he grins and looks towards the kids.

“So, who‘s ready to see the fish?!” Mikey near squeals whilst grinning. The kids all shout their agreements and display very excited faces and Gerard sighs, wishing that he’d been an only child.

“I hate you.” Gerard grumbles against Mikey’s face.

“Love you too bro, now let’s stop the declarations of love and see the fish!”

Gerard only grumbles and pinches the bridge of his nose before letting Mikey lead the kids inside of the hellhole. He stands around and follows at the back. They purchase tickets and count the kids again before Mikey lets the group through the first part of the aquarium, the tropical fish section. Gerard smiles lightly as he remembers Frank walking him through this part and explaining what each fish was and its main qualities. Of course, Gerard didn’t really want to know what certain fish ate, and why they were named but there was something about the way Frank spoke to him, he made Gerard feel at ease and comfortable.

He smiles a little more when he sees the cherub angelfish remembering Frank’s tour a little more and this time, he’s able to actually walk towards the thank. There’s still an unsettled feeling in his stomach but as he fixes his eyes on the corner of the tank, a bright fish chewing at a large piece of food, he somehow sees the fish as kind of… well, cute? The blue and the yellow colours and they blended reminds Gerard of how his palate looks when he paints at home. They do however, have those beady little eyes and Gerard knows they’re staring right at him. It’s then he decides he’s admired them for too long, and carries on behind the group.

It’s only when the group break for lunch that Gerard starts to breathe normally again. Although the lunch area is covered in murals of sea life and under water scenes, he’s agreed with himself that it’s much better than actually having to look at the real thing for a while. Sitting down at the largest table, Gerard sits as far away from Mikey as possible. Pulling his lunch from his bag he starts to pick at his sandwich, but, staring at the tuna filling, he’s suddenly not very hungry.

Although Gerard doesn’t really eat his lunch, the slot given for break is a lot less time than he would have liked because the less time he spends in the tunnels and near the tanks, the better.

Wandering back in to the tunnel he had freaked out in the last time he was here, Gerard’s chest tightens and it’s just as painful as before. He’s greeted by large and daunting tiger sharks, their nasty eyes glaring at him as they bare their teeth as they swim past.

“Back so soon?”

Gerard visibly jumps as a voice from right behind him speaks close to his ear. He turns around to see Frank standing there, grinning at him.

“See, I knew you‘d come back. Did I cure you that quick?” Frank asks with a cheeky grin. Gerard only rolls his eyes, but for some reason he’s relieved to see the other man in front of him.

“No really, what are you doing back? I mean, not that I don’t want you to come back, well, I just, yeah?” Frank’s face fills with colour as he pushes his hair out of his flustered face and looks down at his shoes a little. Frank’s glad Gerard’s back?

“Mikey dragged me back. Well, I didn‘t know I was coming again. He tricked me into helping him with his class of kids.”

“That man looks after small children?” Frank asks with wide eyes but Gerard can tell his face is mocking.

“Unfortunately for them he does.” Gerard smiles fondly and glances over his shoulder to see Mikey pressed up against the glass, mimicking the smaller children. “He‘s good at it though, he‘s just a big kid himself.”

Frank smiles too. “I can see that.”

And then comes the awkward silence. They both knew it was bound to come at some point. Frank’s the one to break the ice.

“So, you cured already?”

“God no,” Gerard answers a little too fast, and feels a little stupid. “I‘m still scared, petrified.”

Frank chuckles and cocks his head to the side. “Then why are you still here?”

“For Mikey. I can‘t just leave him with those kids. They‘ll have to tell him the way back home!” Gerard grins.

“Are you busy this weekend?” Frank asks suddenly. Shit, Frank thinks, where on earth did that come from?

Yes, Gerard’s pretty sure that was unexpected too as his heart jumps, just a little.

“Um…I don’t think so?” Gerard answers causally.

Frank shifts on his feet a little and brings his fingers to his mouth to chew on. “Would you want to come to the pet store with me? I mean, I know we don’t really know each other but…” Frank trails before licking his lips. “You seem cool” He smiles. “And! If you see some of the fish in a less daunting environment, you might just start to like them?”

Gerard curses his chest again as his heart thumps against his ribcage. “Yeah, that would be nice.”

Frank beams at Gerard’s reply. “Awesome! Well, give me your address and I‘ll pick you up, say around midday Saturday?”

“That sounds great.” Gerard smiles as Frank hands him a pen and sticks out his arm, indicating he wants Gerard to write his address on his arm.

“Won‘t this wash off when you‘re in the tanks later on and stuff?”

Frank cringes inwardly and blushes again. “Yeah, you‘re right. Let me get some paper or something.”

Gerard smiles and nods as he watches Frank run in to the conference room they had previously been in. He tries not to stare too much, but his eyes somehow start to wander to Frank’s legs as he runs to get some paper. They’re short but firm looking, clothed in black combat pants with about a million pockets. On the ass of the trousers Gerard could make out a wallet and some keys, and even through those he could tell Frank’s ass looked good.

Frank returns a few moments later with a small note pad with sharks scattered across it. He’s torn between smiling at how adorable Frank is and cringing at the predators on the paper. Gerard writes his address down before he hears Mikey shouting for him to move his ass.

“Duty calls,” Gerard rolls his eyes and Frank laughs.

“Yeah, go help him out. I‘ll see you Saturday.” Frank offers and Gerard nods with a pleasant smile.

“Yeah, see you Saturday.”


-


Gerard is grateful that his week has been filled with work, his boring 9-5 office job because every time he lets himself think about seeing Frank at the weekend his heart leaps and his stomach drops. He’s not too sure as to why he’s feeling like this, and he’s not sure as to how he feels about Frank, apart from the fact he seems like a good guy. He’s appreciative of Frank for helping him with his irrational fear, though.

The one thing Gerard has to make sure not to do is to tell Mikey where he’s going. Luckily when Saturday rolls around and Frank knocks on the door to pick him up, Mikey’s still dead to the world in bed. Before running to open the door, Gerard brushes away the small flutters in his stomach and grabs for his wallet and keys.

On opening the door, Gerard’s confronted by a very flustered - looking Frank. His hair is messy and his shirt’s creased, but he’s stood with a cheeky grin across his face.

“Sorry I‘m late,” Frank breathes heavily through short bursts of breath.


Gerard laughs a little at the sight in front of him. “You’re not late. Just on time, actually.”

Frank grins at this and leans against the door frame.

“You want a drink or something? You seem a little out of breath.”

“That would be awesome, thanks.” Frank smiles again.

After ushering Frank in and through to the kitchen Gerard prays that Mikey doesn’t choose this moment to come down and be a royal pain in the ass, but alas, Gerard’s never had much luck when it comes to avoiding his brother. Mikey trots down the stairs in nothing other than small boxer shorts that really leave nothing to the imagination, with his mousey hair sticking up in all directions. His eyes are sleep clad and he’s barely walking straight as he wanders in to the small kitchen, opening the fridge and taking a swig from a juice carton. As he puts it back he rubs at his eyes before glancing round, only just realizing there’s somebody else there.

When he takes a better look Mikey’s face turns from a little shocked to amused. Just as he’s about to open his mouth and probably say something sarcastic and Mikey-like, Gerard pushes him out of the way from the fridge. He grabs two cans of soda and then pulls Frank by the arm to the door before Mikey can say a word.

As they reach the front door Gerard calls back. “See you later, Mikey!” with a hint of humor in his voice. Once the door is closed and Frank has let Gerard to the car, Gerard apologizes.

“Sorry we had to run, Mikey’s just a pain, y’know?” Gerard offers and Frank laughs, nodding.

-

It’s not that much of a drive to the store where Frank wants to go, and on pulling up in the parking lot and knowing he’s going to have to look at fish, Gerard doesn’t really feel as panicked as before. He steps in to the shop and is met with all different kinds of smells and sounds.


“Okay, so I don’t normally agree to having pets,” Frank states as they wander along the aisles of small rabbits, the ones with the black fur and those gorgeous eyes and the grey feet. Gerard’s a little too busy staring at said fluffy balls to realise Frank said a thing.

“You like animals?”

Gerard snaps out of his trance and back to Frank with a small blush that tints his awful hamster cheeks. “Sorry, were you talking to me?”

Frank grins. “Yeah, I was saying I don’t usually agree to people having pets, but I take good care of mine,” he says with a goofy smile.

Gerard nods “Yeah, I like animals. I never really had any of my own though.”

Frank’s face falls. “Really? That‘s crappy, dude.”

He shrugs. The lack of animals never really bothered him. “You have animals, apart from the fish?”

“No, I used to have lots as a kid. Lots of different dogs, cats, turtles, dragons and rabbits. My house and back yard was like a zoo!”

“I bet that was awesome. My Ma never really got the whole animal thing, I guess.”

Frank pouts his lips at Gerard. “That sucks! Kids should always have some kind of pet, it teaches them responsibility and kindness.”

Gerard shrugs again when he realizes they’ve found the tropical fish section of the large store. Frank grins and pulls Gerard by the arm and over to one of the many large tanks. Gerard’s stomach flips a little, but he’s not sure if it’s the feeling of Frank’s fingers brushing his skin or the fact he’s so close to more marine life and large bodies of water.

Frank starts to press his nose against the tanks and muttering something along the lines of hello beautifuls! and Gerard smiles, edging a little closer himself to the tanks. After a few minutes Frank pulls over an assistant to help him bag the few fish he’s chosen. He makes the assistant use the net to pick out exactly the fish he’s seen, and as she’s getting a little impatient with hooking the right fish, not just any, Frank’s grinning. As he takes the small bags in his hands, he motions for Gerard to follow him to another aisle.

He drags Gerard down the aisle that holds all different kinds of tanks and bowls. He picks one out and asks Gerard to pull it from the shelf. He nods and grabs a few more things that Frank asks him to. As Gerard reaches over to pull a filter from the shelf Frank can’t help but let his eyes wander to his hips, shirt riding up as he tip toes to pull the item from the shelf.

As Gerard pulls it down and turns around to look at Frank, he smiles and motions towards the counter.

“Right, I think we’re done!” Frank points to the checkout. Once Frank’s paid for the items they make their way out of the superstore and to the car. Frank gently places the fish in to the bowls and puts them on the back seat. He drives super carefully, very aware he has livestock in the back of his car and Gerard has to laugh as annoyed motorists drive past him, beeping their horns as they fly past.

As they pull up outside Gerard’s, he can’t help but feel a pang of sadness that their outing is over. It’s when Frank turns the engine off and exits the car to grab the bowl and one of the bags of fish that Gerard’s really confused.

Frank only grins and asks Gerard to hurry up and open his front door because these fish weren’t walking themselves in to his house.

When they open the door and walk in, Frank turns to Gerard to smile.

“Which way to your room?” Frank asks, a cheeky smile on his face. Gerard blushes a little and points the way to his room, wishing this was in some kind of other situation without the damn fish and a lot less clothes involved.

“Okay so I bought you the fish, if you hadn‘t guessed already.” Frank smiles with those cheeky eyes that Gerard could probably look at all day and would maybe, most definitely would love to see looking down at him as they fucked.

“Why did you do that?” Gerard asks and Frank’s face falls. “I mean, thank you. Really. It‘s probably the nicest thing anybody has done for me.” Frank smiles a little more this time.

“Well, I know you‘re scared of them, and I think you‘re cool so now we‘re going to be good friends,” Gerard’s tummy flips and he tries not to grin, “I thought I‘d buy you some to try and get you over your fear?”

Gerard grins and tries not to make it completely obvious he wants to maul the man in front of him. Instead he walks forward and hugs Frank for the first time. It’s awkward and Frank’s still got a handful of fish, which irritates Gerard, because suddenly he’s anxious to feel Frank’s hands against his back.

Gerard stands back as they move apart, pointing up the stairs to which room is his. As they get into the room Gerard cringes at the mess. He despises cleaning and doesn’t really see any reason for doing so. Now though, he kind of wishes he did.

“Can I move these to make room for the fish?” Frank points at the large stack of pencil tins and comics. Gerard nods and walks over to help, feeling awful that Frank is practically cleaning his room for him. Frank then settles the bowl down and makes his way to the bathroom to fill a jug of water. Once he’s filled the bowl, he places the bag with the fish in to the water gently and waits a few minutes until they swim out. He plugs the filter in and settles it just under the water before standing back, smiling.


“There you go, your own little aquarium.” Frank grins, turning his head to look at Gerard who is standing behind him, not really sure what to think of the new addition to his room.

“Thank you, they‘re real pretty.”

Frank nods. “Yeah they really are, what you gonna name em?”

Gerard hasn’t even thought about names. Names? For fish? Didn’t they die after a few weeks anyway?

“I, err, hadn’t really thought of names?”

“You have to name them!” Frank protests, eyes wide and that cheeky glint in them once again.

“You name them for me?” Gerard suggests.

Frank sighs. “Okay, okay, I shall name that one,” Frank points to the purple and yellow fish, “Jack, and this one,” Frank points at the black and white fish, “Ianto!” Frank beams at the names he’s just chosen and Gerard’s looking a little baffled.

“Jack and what?” Gerard asks with a puzzled face.

Frank gasps and flings his head round from where he’s staring at the new fish to gawp at Gerard’s face, as if there were flesh eating bugs burrowing into his eye sockets.

“You don‘t know who Jack and Ianto are?”

Gerard doesn’t really know what answer isn’t going to get him an hour lecture on something he had no idea about. “My new fish?”

Frank gasps once again. “Torchwood! Only the best damn TV sci-fi programme there is! Well, apart from Doctor Who. It‘s always on BBC America, some British- made programme.”

Gerard squints his eyes a little but nods anyway. “Right, what‘s it about?”

Frank grins and it covers his entire face, the kind of grin that makes Gerard wish he’d never asked. The huge ramble takes about ten whole minutes of Gerard’s life away as Frank babbles about Torchwood, their characters, plot lines and gay love storyline. When he finishes, he makes Gerard promise that he’ll agree to watch Torchwood with him sometime and really, who is Gerard to say no?

“Don‘t you still have fish in your car?” Gerard interrupts Frank’s pointless banter about that damn programme to remind Frank that he did in fact, have fish back in the car probably suffocating in their little bags.

Frank’s face falls. “Oh shit!” And with that Frank makes sure that Gerard’s fish are okay before pulling him out of his own room and back to the car. “You‘re coming with me, to show these little guys their new home.” Gerard nods and climbs back into the passenger seat.

Gerard doesn’t really know what he’s expecting to find at Frank’s house, but it’s not this. They make their way up the stairs and as they walk through the door Gerard’s met with the smell of vanilla. He looks around the living room, which is spotless and organized and for a guy of Frank’s age, this is far too clean. As they make their way to Frank’s bedroom, Gerard spots the kitchen too, which is also spotless. His bedroom is no different, neat and tidy like the rest of the house. In the middle of the room stands a large double bed with dark blue sheets. To the left there’s a desk and on that, a laptop. To the other side of the room, in front of the bed and next to the dresser with the TV, is a large fish tank. The wall behind the fish is painted full with murals of marine life, colours bursting off of the walls.

He glances over to the fish tank that Frank is removing the lid from and eyes the creatures carefully. There’s plenty of fish in there, all different kinds and colours. They’re kind of beautiful, Gerard thinks and even though they still make him uncomfortable, he’s a little less scared. He watches as Frank lowers the plastic bag containing the two new fish in to the water and lets them swim out slowly. Frank’s got a stupid grin across his face, and he looks happy. Really happy.

“They‘re just so beautiful.” Frank speaks without removing his eyes from the tank of tropical fish.

Gerard nods and this time was actually able to stare at the fish a little longer.

-





It’s a couple of hours later when Gerard finally announces he needs to head home. They’ve spent the past few hours in Frank’s room, sitting on the bed discussing all kinds of marine life, Gerard’s phobia and life in general, including useless trivia, but it allowed the pair to learn a little more about one another. Frank also made them food and they had sat in front of the TV on Frank’s bed to eat, but it’s now nearly 7pm and Gerard needs to head home before Mikey tries to cook for himself.

Frank offers to drive Gerard home, as he had picked him up before and Gerard really wouldn’t mind walking, but Frank insists. He’s enjoyed his company today and having the day come to an end is a little bit of a downer. The drive between the two houses isn’t long, a few miles and as Frank pulls up neither really want to move. Gerard does though, but before he moves Frank starts to speak.

“I had a real good time today, y‘know?” Frank’s voice is low and calm, and it almost sounds like he’s asking a question.

Gerard smiles but Frank can still catch it in the dark of the evening. “Yeah, me too.”

Frank toys with the keys that are still in the ignition and speaks again.“We should hang out more, if you wanted?” Yet another question. Frank’s mentally hitting himself, he is never this indecisive.

“Yeah, that, that would be good.” Gerard concludes with a small smile that once again Frank catches.

Before Gerard can quite think of something to say next, he watches as Frank’s face grows closer to his before he feels Frank’s lips on his own, soft and full. His heart is thumping against his chest and he feels sick, giddy and as Frank pulls back and places a quick peck on his lips, he smiles and feels dizzy.

“I‘m, I‘m gonna, I‘m sorry.” Frank mumbles whilst looking at his hands, feeling quite embarrassed and worried he’s crossed channels. It’s then that Gerard reaches out and pulls Frank’s face back into his sight and leans forward to press their lips together once again. This time they kiss for longer and it’s a little more real and whilst both are still nervous, they almost know where they stand with one another. A minute or so later Gerard pulls back and smiles.

“I have to go,” Gerard sighs before pecking Frank’s lips again, stomach flipping. He then opens the door and made his way around to the passenger side. “Call me?” he asks.

“I would if I had your number.” Frank grins, licking at his lips. Gerard blushes a little and nods. Frank then pulls out his phone and keys that Gerard reads out to him.

Saving the number, Frank grins, starts the car and begins to drive off.

“Call me!” Gerard shouts out and Frank shouts back.

“Will do!”


-
It’s all of three hours later when Gerard receives the call from Frank. He’s had a bet with himself that Frank will phone within twenty four hours and it seems he was right. His phone vibrates against his bed and as he looks at the number he doesn’t recognize, his stomach bubbles as he answers.

“I tried waiting a few more hours, but it seems that plan didn’t work.” Frank starts the conversation off with his confession. Gerard laughs a little before trying to think of something to say.

“I did wonder how long it would take you. My bet was twenty –four hours.”

Gerard can almost hear Frank’s pout after that statement.

“Hey, I gave you twenty-four, that’s a lot more than what it actually took you!”

Frank sighs and then laughs a little more. “I guess. Anyways, come to lunch with me?”

Gerard’s stomach bubbles again as he pulls his covers around his body more, goose bumps staring to prickle at his skin. “Sure, when?”

Frank falls silent, thinking maybe.

Gerard smirks. “You’re not really thinking are you? You had this date planned before you even asked, so you know when you want to have lunch, don’t you?”

Frank makes a strangled kind of cry before giggling. “Of course I do, I just didn’t want to seem too eager.”

“Too late, calling after three hours is a little eager, don’t you think?”

Frank sighs, not out of embarrassment though. He likes how they can joke around like this, how the conversation flows quite naturally for a friendship so new.

“Lunch on Tuesday at the aquarium?” Frank asks, “Oh, and before you can say no, you have to come, we’re going to look at something a little bigger this time. To help you, remember?”

Gerard sighs. “I remember. I don’t think it’s fair you bribing me with hot dates, though.” Gerard smiles a little and bites at his lip.

Frank grins. “I think it’s very fair. Okay, so meet me at the aquarium Tuesday, 1 o clock?”

Gerard nods even though Frank can’t see him. “Yeah, 1 o clock is good.” As Gerard agrees to meet at that time he feels his stomach churn a little in excitement and nervousness.

“Awesome, see you then.” Frank beams across the phone.

“Yeah, see you then.” Gerard confirms with another nod and nervous laugh.

And with that, their lunch date is set.

-

It doesn’t take long for Tuesday to roll around and for Gerard, waking up in the morning is a struggle. Of course, he wants to see Frank but he’s not so sure about heading back to the aquarium so soon again, especially to face his fears. He knows that if he wants to see Frank, and continue to do so, he has to do it and by doing so, he gets an awesome lunch date with him.

Gerard arrives at the aquarium five minutes before he’s due to meet Frank at the entrance. He clocks a seat and walks over to take it but before he gets there, a small kid jumps in front of him and takes it, sticking their tongue out at him in the process. He sighs and contemplates scowling at the kid and telling it they need to learn some manners, but before he can think about saying something, he feels a soft hand on the small of his back.

“Ready?” Frank asks as Gerard eyes the small child in his seat once again. Gerard sighs and nods.

“Good. I get an hour and half break, so I thought we could go look at some sting rays and then grab something from the canteen? It’s good food in there - no fish, for obvious reasons.”

“Yeah, sounds like a plan.”

After wandering through many different sections of the centre Gerard’s faced with a large room of flat sting rays, and of course they are all staring up at him. Frank notices his discomfort and takes his hand, pulling him over to the tank that had a small mesh fence around it.

“This is where you can feed the rays, see?” Frank points at some small children taking pellets of food from one of the staff and slowly lowering their hands into the water to feed the large animals.

Gerard’s eyes expand and his mouth grows dry. “You, you really expect me, me me, to feed those?” He asks, not quite understanding what Frank wants him to do.

Frank laughs and places a pot of food that he took from one of his colleagues in Gerard’s hand. “You can do it. I know you can.” Frank smiles.

Gerard simply shakes his head, no.

“Okay, I’ll go first. You watch me.”

Gerard nods this time. Frank then takes some of the food from the tub and slowly places his hand under the water, remembering first to make his fist in to a small cone like shape. The rays can get confused between fingers and food, so the cone is a must. Within a few seconds the stingrays swim over to Frank’s hand, sucking the food off of his skin.

Frank giggles. “Tickles!”

Gerard smiles a little, thinking that maybe it isn’t so bad. Maybe he could give it a try. He edges a little closer where Frank is standing and takes a few pellets from the tub. He turns his fist in to the cone just as he saw Frank do, and lowers his hand down to the water, arm shaking. Frank knows to keep silent for a second and just hang back and watch. Within a few seconds, just like Frank, Gerard’s hand is covered by a stingray, it sucking the food from his hand.

With an astonished look across his face Gerard moves his hand from the water and turns round to see Frank grinning.

“Well done you!” He grins some more and pats Gerard on the back.

Gerard’s expression is one that reads ‘I can’t believe I just did that’ and he stares at his hand and back to the tank.

“Let’s go get some food now, feeding the sting rays made me hungry.” Frank states before linking hands with Gerard again and leading the way to the canteen.
As they grab some food and sit down on one of the tables in the far corner they smile to one another, tucking in to their lunch and getting used to the company. They talk about life in general again because that seems like the most obvious topic. Frank’s telling Gerard a little more about his job and how he’s always loved marine life, and talks about the hundreds of pets he’s had before. He’s managed to sit and list every single fish he’s ever had and that’s a lot, Gerard finds out. Frank also tells him the names of his entire track record of fish, their middle names and even their mating partners. Gerard can’t help but smile though, because Frank is absolutely adorable.


“You knew about fish and their mating partners at eight years old?” Gerard scoffs and laughs a little, waiting for Frank’s reply.

Frank blushes and nods. “Well yeah, mom brought me lots of books and taught me well. Always use a condom and all that, right?”

Gerard laughs and takes Frank’s hand from his side of the table in to his own hand and squeezes a little.

Frank looks down a little at their hands grins, all teeth. He then continues, “I remember I always wanted a sea horse when I was little too.”

“Why’s that?” Gerard asks head cocked to the side, intrigued.

Frank licks his lips and Gerard finds himself staring before averting his eyes and trying look at the rest of Frank’s face, not just his mouth. “Well, sea horses mate for life, like penguins. They stick with that one special horse till they die.” He explains, talking with his hands. “And the best part about it all,” Frank continues and Gerard nods along, listening. “is that the men carry the babies!” He finishes and Gerard widens his eyes a little, trying to look impressed.

“I mean, women shouldn’t have to do everything right? They have the right idea…” Frank continues to speak before reaching for his soda and taking a long sip. “You think I’m crazy?” He asks and Gerard widens his eyes and scrunches his nose.

“What? No. ‘Course not. It’s really interesting!” Gerard’s feeling a little sick. As he speaks he’s got a funny feeling in his stomach, an odd and familiar feeling that he could probably bet money on, that means he’s falling for Frank, fast. He’s pretty sure that Frank shouldn’t be making him feel like this, and he’s absolutely sure that having only met Frank a few weeks ago, he shouldn’t be reeling Gerard in this quick.

“They sound really cool, those sea horses.” Gerard motions with his other hand, trying not to look too awkward. Frank grinned and squeezed Gerard’s hand a little. “Yeah, they really are.”

It’s then that Frank moves his chair a little around the small table, and when he stops their knees brush together. They’re still holding hands and as Frank leans forward and presses his soft lips against Gerard’s, his stomach feels like something is bursting. His skin tingles as Frank rubs his thumb across Gerard’s knuckles soft and slow in circles and his lips are vibrating too. A few moments later Frank pulls back and ducks his head, smiling a little.

“Sorry, just, needed to do that…” He mumbles and Gerard squeezes his hand.

“I’m glad you did.” He answers and Frank lifts his head to peck at Gerard’s lips once more.

After a few more quick kisses Frank has to get back to work. They make arrangements to see each other again at the weekend for a movie night at Franks. As Gerard leaves the aquarium, he’s actually pretty sad about it. He sits in his car and reflects for a moment or two before driving back to work, convinced the week is going to drag.

-

The aquarium has a slightly different feel to it after dark. It’s the kind of feeling that you get when you know you shouldn’t be somewhere, when you know that you aren’t meant to know something or if you know you’re unwelcome. Most of the lights are off when Frank leads Gerard through the main entrance, and all he can really see are the dull rays of light reflecting off of the water in the large tanks. He would be a complete liar if he said he wasn’t a little scared. Gerard doesn’t like the aquarium much in the daylight, let alone at night with that eerie feeling washing over him. They make their way to the shark enclosure; Frank’s department. He’s told Gerard he needs to prepare some meat for the next day and it’s best to do it as late as possible to keep it fresh.


“I’m just gonna cut the meat up and we’ll be out of here, that okay?” Frank asks as he leads Gerard in to the kitchen. He picks up a meat cleaver, probably the largest knife Gerard’s ever seen, and begins to sharpen it a little before holding it up to the light. He nods and brings a piece of meat from the refrigerator.

Gerard leans against the side of the counter next to Frank and looks around the kitchen. There are murals on the wall again, and Gerard starts to wonder if every single wall in the entire building is painted the same. He watches as Frank takes the cleaver and slams it down against the large slab of red meat, using his entire body to cut through the enormous chunks.

Gerard takes a chair a few moments later that’s pushed against the large table next to the counter and takes a seat. He picks up one of the booklets that’s sat on the surface and starts to flick through the pages. It’s about the Great Barrier Reef and its marine life. He only cringes slightly at the pages of pictures of underwater scenes, but over the past few days he’s learnt to be a little more accepting. He’s been feeding the fish Frank bought for him and even spoken to them a few times because if he’s honest with himself, he admires how caring Frank is for his animals, and how passionate he is about his job. He knows that if he wants to keep Frank, to keep whatever this is from ending, he needs to try and conquer his fear.

“You liking the pictures?” Frank asks as he carries on slicing the meat, looking over to Gerard where he’s sat at the table.

Before Gerard has the chance to answer Frank on his question, he’s thrown the knife down on to the counter and jumped back. He instantly brings his hand to his mouth, sucking on the finger, hissing. Gerard jumps from his chair quickly, rushing over to Frank who is now doubled over.

“Shit! Are you okay, Frank?” Gerard asks but as soon as the words leave his mouth, he realizes that Frank really is not alright. He looks down and sees Frank’s hand covered in blood. He grabs some paper towels from next to the sink and presses them in to Frank’s hand.

“Okay shit, right - medical room!” Gerard shouts and Frank nods quickly, face pale and leading the way. Luckily it’s not too far away and they’re pushing the door open within a few moments. In the room there are lots of cabinets and a large sofa pressed against the wall with blue blankets covering the fabric. Gerard tells Frank to sit down and to keep the wound pressed and that he’s going to find something to clean it with. He searches through the nearest cabinet and thankfully finds antiseptic wipes and cotton wool.

Sitting down next to Frank, Gerard pulls his hand from his shoulder where it’s pressed and takes the paper away, surveying the damage. The cut is deep, and still bleeding a lot.

“Alright, I’m going to press down on the cut, okay?” Gerard speaks and motions with the cotton wool in his hand. Frank nods and lets his head fall back against the couch. Gerard holds the cotton wool balls firm to Frank’s skin and he hisses. After a minute and when the bleeding slows, Gerard wipes the last few drops of blood away. He then takes the antiseptic wipe and tears the packet open, flattening the square against his hand before telling Frank what he’s about to do. He wipes it slowly over the deep cut and Frank jumps, his eyes flying open and his head snaps forward.

“I’m so sorry, Frank. I know it stings.”

Gerard tries to be as quick as he can be when cleaning the wound and finding some dressing. He looks at the cut close too, seeing if it needs stitches.

“Does it need stitches?” Frank asks his voice a little broken.

“No, I don’t think so. Not far off though, you cut through that very well…”

“I’ve been cutting with that knife forever. I’ve never slipped.”

Gerard sits back down and starts to wrap a bandage around Frank’s finger and across some of his hand.

“You’re okay now.” Gerard smiles.

“I think it’s cause you were there,” Frank trails…

Gerard doesn’t really know how to take that comment.

“I mean, I’ve never had somebody so cute to distract me before.”

Gerard blushes and finishes wrapping Frank’s hand. He then pulls it up towards his mouth and places a small kiss on the bandage. Frank makes a small sound at the back of his throat and smiles over to Gerard.

“Thank you.” He offers, looking down at his hand. He can’t believe how careless he was being.

“It’s not a problem, really.”

Frank smiles and shuffles closer to Gerard on the sofa, their thighs now touching. Gerard lowers his face down to press a kiss to Frank’s nose but he moves too quick, leaving Gerard pressing his lips to Frank’s. The kiss is soft at first and reassuring to Frank that he is alright. It’s soft and all lips until Frank pushes at Gerard’s chest and slips the tip of his tongue out of his mouth and swipes across Gerard’s lips, eventually meeting with Gerard’s tongue. Keeping with the slow pace their mouths slide against each other softly and their teeth only clashing a little. That is, until Frank pushes at Gerard’s chest harder with his good hand, slowly climbing on top of Gerard until he is lying on his back, Frank pressed against him on top. Gerard can’t help himself now, and brings his arms around Frank’s back and down to his ass. He cups against the denim softly before squeezing hard, Frank whining a little. He takes that as a sign to grope harder and as he cups more, he presses Frank’s hips into his harder, crotches together too.
Frank moans this time, properly and against Gerard’s lips and as he does, Gerard feels his dick twitch in his pants.

By the time their lips peel apart both men are hard and pressing against their pants, hard and hurting.

“Frank, I, you, yeah…” Gerard mumbles against Frank’s cheek as he moves his lips up towards his ear as he starts to lick. Frank moans even louder this time and seems to be just as gone as Gerard. Frank then pushes his hips down hard, real hard. He pushes again and again until Gerard takes the hint and pushes back up at the same time, their jean covered dicks pressing together through the fabric. A few minutes later and both men are panting, their lips pressed together again and tongues meeting wet and sloppy and “Oh god, so good.” Frank pants as he jolts his hips down hard again, meeting Gerard’s.

“Yeah, Frank.” Gerard pants just as hard and throws his head back, feeling his orgasm starting to really build.

It’s only a few more thrusts of both their hips before Gerard is coming in his pants, quick and sharp. Frank leans down and presses their lips together again as Gerard stops moaning and moves slightly so that his crotch is pressed against Gerard’s thigh. He thrusts down and doesn’t even stop to care how it looks before coming in his jeans and falling against Gerard.

It’s uncomfortable as they both feel the come start to dry against their underwear but neither really care as Frank’s head is pressed against Gerard’s shoulder, his moth on Gerard’s neck placing small and slopping kisses.

“Where did that come from?” Frank asks and Gerard feels his voice vibrate against his skin.

“No idea, but I’m glad it did.” Gerard sighs and strokes at Frank’s back. “I could get used to that feeling.”

Frank grins and nods against Gerard, agreeing.

“Still want to come back to mine to watch Torchwood?”

Gerard scoffs. “Of course, gay love on the TV and you to make out with, who could refuse?”

Frank laughs and moves from Gerard, pulling him up and then heading to the bathroom to clean up before putting the rest of the meat away ready for the next day, and heading to his place.


-

The drive back to Frank’s is pretty full on. He and Frank are having a hard time of keeping their hands off one another. Gerard offered to drive as Frank’s finger was starting to hurt, but somehow Frank was still able to press his hand against the crotch of Gerard’s jeans as he was driving, lips on his neck.

“Frank, please.” Gerard says sternly.

Frank only carries on.

“Frank, stop!” Gerard tries to mask the laugher in his voice with a stern tone, but it doesn’t work. Frank continues to press his lips to Gerard’s pale, milky neck, scraping his teeth across the skin every now and again. It’s only when they pull up outside his house Frank stops and sits back in his seat, looking oh so angelic.


“What was all that about, hmm?” Gerard sits and stares at Frank’s smirk. He shrugs.

“I really like you, Gerard.” And all of a sudden, Frank’s serious again. Gerard’s chest hurts when it heart starts to thud against his ribcage.

“I like you too, a lot.” Gerard adds with a small smile tugging at his lips, his stomach flipping and heart trying to burst. It’s been years since he’s felt so, liberated? And cared-for.

“Coming in?” Frank asks, and Gerard nods quickly and pulls the keys from the ignition. Frank climbs out from the passenger seat and walks around on to the sidewalk where Gerard is waiting for him. Frank smiles and grabs at Gerard’s hand and joins their hands to walk the short distance to his front door.

When they walk through the door Frank picks his post from the floor and Gerard can’t help but stare as he bends down, watching his ass through the black cargo pants. They make him look so damn fine, and he can see every little curve. Gerard swallows hard and tries not to think of ripping the pants off of Frank, pushing him down on to the plush carpet that lined the floor and fucking him into next week.

Before Gerard knew it Frank was looking at him with a weird look and had finished looking through his post. Gerard blushed and swallowed hard again trying to avert his eyes somewhere else.

“Were you just checking me out?” Frank asks slowly, grinning. Gerard only blushes again and mumbles something about ‘watching this damn gay TV show’ or something. Frank laughs and grabs Gerard by the hand and drags him in to the living room. He pulls him down on to the large couch and turns to kiss him, hard. It kind of knocks the breath from Gerard’s chest, but he’s not one to complain where there is an insanely hot guy next to him, tongue and teeth clashing against one another.

Frank pulls back after a while of kissing and pecks Gerard’s lips before bouncing off of the sofa and dropping to the floor, scooting across the carpet over to the large TV and DVD stack he had as the main feature wall of the room. He presses a few buttons and from what Gerard can gather, turns the surround sound on. He grabs a DVD from the pile and shoves it into the player, before coming back to the couch and sitting himself down next to Gerard. He rests his hand on Gerard’s thigh and grins over to him.

“So what’s this called again?” Gerard asks, trying to look interested.

“Torchwood. It’s British and gay and awesome. You’ll love it, I promise. It’s everything you are!” Frank jokes and Gerard looks confused. “Well, it’s geeky and gay…”

Gerard fakes a hurt expression and pushes Frank’s hand away from his knee. They both laugh before the DVD starts to play.

“You’re geeky and gay too, you know?” Gerard whispers as the credits start to roll signaling the beginning of the show. Frank only nods and leans into Gerard, resting his head against his shoulder. Gerard’s stomach leaps again but tries to watch the beginning, because there is nothing worse than zoning out at the beginning of a TV show and realizing you’ve missed the entire plot line, he thinks.

About an hour into disc one (out of many, Gerard notices) Frank’s getting sleepy. Gerard’s trying hard to watch the TV and pay attention to Frank, who keeps moaning Gerard isn’t kissing him enough. Frank was right, however, Torchwood is in fact awesome. Gerard loves the humour and the aliens and of course the gay storyline. The characters are great and he has to admit that even though right now, he only has eyes (and very big puppy dog eyes) for Frank, that main guy John Barrowman or whatever is gorgeous, and so is his boyfriend Ianto.

The first disc comes to an end and Gerard realises it needs to be changed. He shifts a little on the couch and looks down at Frank who is slouched across his lap, softly snoring. Gerard smiles and extends a hand down to stroke his brown hair from his face. He admires how hard Frank works on a daily basis and how he makes such a difference, even if it’s helping a shark or making a small fish more comfortable. He helps the kids too, with his educational talks. It makes Gerard feel guilty, though, with his boring office job. He doesn’t make a difference in anyone’s life – although maybe if you call scamming a kitchen out of a customer helping?

Gerard snaps from his thoughts as Frank’s breath hitches a little and a few moments later, lets out a very loud snore. He smiles down and strokes his hair back away from his face again.


“Frank…” Gerard whispers against Frank’s ear. Frank’s eyes shoot open and he panics a little, realizing he’s fallen asleep.

He rubs at his eyes before speaking, “Sorry, I fell asleep didn’t I?” Frank croaks and Gerard smiles and nods. Frank curses. “Fuck, sorry!”

“It’s fine, you looked cute sleeping.” Gerard admits and feels his cheeks flush a little.

Frank blushes and licks his lips. “Do you want to stay?” It’s as if when Frank licked his lips, the words fell from his mouth. His stomach turns. Did he really just ask Gerard to stay the night?

Gerard’s eyes widen a little and his pupils dilate. He nods, trying to push his reply from his dry throat. “Yeah, I’ll stay.”

Frank nods to Gerard’s reply and sits up, moving from the couch to switch the TV off. He smiles at Gerard and holds his hand for him to take, pulls him from the couch and kisses him when he gets to his feet.

“I’m just going to get a drink, go through the doors and the bedroom is on the left.” Frank tells Gerard and he nods, taking the directions and etching them into his brain forever, y’know, for future situations.


-


The morning after the night before is something Gerard always worries about, but he didn’t need to this time. After Frank had got his drink for bed they had climbed under the sheets and cuddled for a while, talking about the glow in the dark fish that were scattered around Frank’s ceiling and of course, the aquarium. Gerard had told Frank about his job also, and he was happy to know that he didn’t judge him for working in telesales. He had said that if he ever rings Frank’s phone, though, he’d put it down as soon as they ask how old his kitchen is, but Gerard laughed and told Frank his kitchen is perfect. They shared a few kisses before they fell asleep.


“So, what do you want to do today?” Frank asks Gerard as they wake up, blinking quickly to avoid the sun seeping through the drapes. Gerard pushes his head back in to the deep blue pillow and sighs.

“Nothing?” Gerard replies and Frank laughs, moving himself closer to Gerard to brush his hand across his back. Gerard shivers but sighs again in to the pillow, smiling.

“We can’t just stay in bed…” Frank tries to act a little serious, but of course they can stay in bed. It’s Saturday and neither of them have anywhere to be. Perfect.

“Yes we can. I want to stay in bed, watch more Torchwood and get to know you, properly.”

Frank laughs and wiggles his eyebrows suggestively, but knows that Gerard means that he wants them to talk, to really get to know one another before they completely tear each others’ clothes off. Frank nods and moves in to kiss Gerard’s lips, only lightly before moving slowly from his bed to go and make a few slices of toast and to grab the rest of the Torchwood discs for them to watch. Gerard watches Frank move from the bed and lets his head fall back against the pillow again. He smiles to himself before reaching for his cell on the bedside table. He sighs as he opens up a new text message page, and types ‘Mikey Cell’ in to the recipient box.

Stayed with a friend last night, sorry I didn’t call. Out today too, don’t miss me too much. G x.

Gerard presses the send button and settles his cell back on to the table, remembering to turn it to silent before he did so. He knows Mikey’s going to kick his ass for not ringing last night, but he doesn’t care - especially when Frank walks back in to the bedroom looking gorgeous in the morning sunlight, piece of toast in his mouth and hair sticking up in all directions. He tries to grin through the toast but fails, consequently dropping his piece on the floor.

“Five second rule!” Gerard chants quickly, laughing at Frank as he reaches over to the bed to put the DVDs and the plate of toast down. He scrambles to the floor and retrieves his toast quickly, brushing it off with his fingers and blowing a piece of dust away. He grins over to Gerard and then takes another large bite, shrugging as he starts to chew. As Frank sits down on the bed Gerard takes a piece of toast and shoves it in his mouth, not even realizing how hungry he had woken up. After he finishes his first piece he takes another, crunching loudly and smiling over to Frank, who was now getting up from the bed to put the DVD on. As Frank’s standing at the foot of the bed waiting for the ‘play’ option to appear on the screen Gerard can’t help but let his eyes wander over to his backside. His eyelashes flutter quickly as he studies the curve of Frank’s ass in the checkered material of his pants, which fit loose but just tight enough around the back. Gerard swallows hard as he tries not to let his mind wander too much, as Frank is about to press play and climb back in to bed with Gerard.

They only get to the episode ‘cyberwoman’ where Jack and Ianto kiss at the end before both of their hands start to wander. After eating their toast Frank promptly puts the plate on the floor at the side by the bed and moved over to where Gerard was lay against the pillows, waiting for the programme to start. He moves over to Gerard and lays his head on his chest. Gerard is a little stiff for a moment or two, but soon enough brings his hand from the side to brush over Frank’s hair again. He could see brushing Frank’s hair with his fingertips becoming one of his favourite pastimes.

Right now, though, Gerard’s fingers aren’t stroking Frank’s hair. His hands are pushed up his shirt, blunt nails dragging down against the skin and Frank’s gasping a little. Frank’s hands are on Gerard’s ass, squeezing and touching and it feels amazing. Gerard pushes Frank’s shirt up higher, so it’s pooling around his shoulders and moves his lips away from Frank’s mouth to graze his teeth against the skin around the nipple. Frank bucks his hips in to Gerard as they lie on their sides, Gerard’s teeth moving to Frank’s nipple. He sucks soft at first and then dives in, sucking hard and letting his teeth scrape over the nub of nerves, listening to Frank moan as he swipes his tongue over it after.

Frank pushes Gerard’s head from his chest and sits up, panting. He tugs his shirt from around his neck and throws it on to the floor, and then works on getting Gerard’s too. He’s only satisfied once the both of them are naked apart from their boxers and pulls Gerard to his face for another kiss. It’s messy and sloppy and everything those first few make out sessions should be and when Frank’s hand wanders down to Gerard’s boxers, Gerard moans in to the kiss and bucks his hips forward. Frank toys with the line of elastic around the fabric before letting his fingers slip below, pushing the tips below the briefs and down to a trail of fine hair. Gerard sucks in Frank’s lip and bites a little, showing signs of encouragement. Frank lets his hands go a little further until he’s met with Gerard’s near full erection, and as he’s just about to take it in his hand, Gerard bucks up and saves him the job. He grasps gently and starts to jerk a little, slow and steady and nervous and Frank’s not used to this feeling, he’s usually confident and sassy but he likes Gerard, a lot and does not want to mess this up. He starts stroking a little firmer now as Gerard moans a little louder as he smears the pre come down to coat the rest of his length. Gerard’s so turned on he could explode, he feels hot and his skin is tingling and “oh yeah, just like that…”

Frank grins up, watching Gerard as he thrashes his head about on the pillow, gripping at the sides of the bed like a gust of wind was about to blow him away. This makes Frank move his hand faster, smoothing his hand over the swollen flesh as Gerard thrashes harder, bucking his hips in to Frank’s smooth hand.

“Mm, Frank. Yeah, yeah.” Gerard pushes from his throat, past his lips and to Frank’s ears. This only makes Frank more eager for him to come, and flicks his wrist to the left, pulling his fingers from the base of Gerard’s dick to the top and thumbing the head with a firm swipe. That’s all that Gerard needs though and he’s coming, pushing his hips from the bed and thrusting against Frank’s hand as he pushes his head back against the pillow. The cool of the fabric feels harsh against his sweaty face and he pants as he feels Frank wipe his hand against his boxers.

Gerard turns his head slowly, his body feeling like iron lead weights. His eyes meet Frank’s and he’s grinning, eyes glinting and smile wide. It’s then Gerard feels a little conscious and reality hits that he’s just had sex with somebody he’s not really known that long. Before his mind can process it fully though and make a huge deal out of the situation, Gerard peels himself from the sheets and rolls on to his side again, facing Frank fully. He doesn’t even slow his movements down to Frank’s groin, only moves his hand quickly to the elastic of Frank’s boxers and pushes his hand inside quickly. Frank’s hard and already leaking against the blue material when Gerard takes him fully in his hand, squeezing gently and pulling probably the most delicious moan Gerard’s ever heard from Frank’s mouth. He bucks forcefully against Gerard’s hand and he smirks, knowing he’s going to be one of those ones in bed, the pushy and cocky type, and of course loud.

“Jesus, Gerard. Please!” Frank squeaks out as Gerard slowly starts to move his hand, his impatient hips thrusting up, his fingertips scraping down Gerard’s bicep.

“You’re eager, Frank.” Gerard whispers near the shell of Frank’s ear and he nearly comes just from the way he said his name. Frank moans and nods his head, pushing his hips again and near begging Gerard to do something. Gerard thinks that if he doesn’t actually do something soon, Frank’s head might explode so he gets to work, stroking firm and quick and it’s only a few minutes before Frank’s coming hard against Gerard’s hand, moaning loud against his lips as Gerard lunges for a kiss.

“That was awesome.” Frank pants after peeling their lips apart. Gerard smiles and nods a little timid. He suddenly feels just a little shy again.

“Yeah.” He agrees as he stops nodding and Frank smiles and wraps his arm around Gerard’s sweaty waist and pulls him closer, kissing the tip of his nose. Gerard whines high in the back of his throat and pulls a face, but Frank only kisses his nose more, peppering small closed mouth pecks to the skin.

“We missed the first part of the next episode.” Frank notices as he cranes his head to look over at the TV screen. Gerard looks up also and then plops his head back down.

“You’ll just have to fill me in on what happened, I’m sure you know.” Gerard smiles and this time, Frank lays back and Gerard moves closer to place his head on Frank’s chest.


-


Gerard makes his way home from Frank’s at around seven that night and as he twists his key in the front door, he braces himself for an earful and as soon as he places a foot on his carpeted hall way, Mikey’s voice bellows from the living room.

“Fuck face! Where the fuck have you been?!” Mikey calls and Gerard closes the door, resting his head against the wood for a second before placing his keys down on the table by the side of the stairs and makes his way in to face his brother. He swears sometimes, it’s like having another mom. He walks to the living room where he’s met with his brother sprawled out against the couch, remote control in one hand and the other down his pants. Gerard cocks his head to the side and gives him a strange look. Mikey doesn’t even more, nor correct where his hand is.

“What? You’re allowed to stay out all night without a text but I’m not allowed to hold my junk as I watch TV?”

Gerard rolls his eyes and moves toward the couch, pushes Mikey’s legs off and sits down himself, leaning to take the remote from his brother’s grip.

“I’m sorry, I text you this morning didn’t I?” Gerard offers but he knows Mikey is pissed.

Mikey scoffs. “Yeah, this morning. I waited up for you dude, you never stay out. I thought you’d been killed or something.” And that’s when his younger brother’s caring side starts to show through. Gerard sighs and he knows he’s going to have to tell Mikey where he was.

“Sorry. I really am, I was with a friend an-”

“That guy you showed up with last week? The really short one…” Mikey smirks and waits for a reply.

“Yes the one from the other weekend, and fuck off. He’s not that short.”

Mikey scoffs again and pulls his hand from his pants. “Yeah, he is. Anyway, why did you stay out? You get laid? Actually wait, I don’t think I want to know.”

Gerard rolls his eyes and blushes a little. “We had a movie night, and whether I got laid is none of your business. Do I ask about you and your fuck buddy?” Gerard asks but he already knows what the answer to that question will be.

“You don’t need to ask, you hear it all. Besides, he has a name.” Mikey scowls.

“Okay fine, Ray or whatever it is you scream at him.” Gerard shudders and flicks the channel over aimlessly.

“We’re not fuck buddies, anyway. We’re exclusive.” Mikey defends a little later than his usual comebacks. Gerard rolls his eyes again.

“What are you, ten?” He says and Mikey reaches over to wipe the hand he’d just had in his boxers down his brother’s face. Gerard grimaces and moves away.

“I’m sorry I didn’t call, I’ll make sure I do next time.” He offers as he finally settles on a channel and Mikey looks pissed, because Gerard knows he was watching something.

Mikey grins though, when Gerard tells him he’ll call next time. “So they’ll be a next time?” He asks, hoping for a little more detail. Although he doesn’t want to know exactly what his brother was up to, he liked to take an interest in what his elder brother was doing, or specifically, who.

Gerard bit his lip and little and nodded. “Yeah, hopefully.”

“You really like him, don’t you?” Mikey asks, tone of his voice a little more serious.

“Yeah, he’s a good guy.”


“Well he better be. I may be skinny as fuck but I have a beefy boyfriend now.”

Gerard only laughs, but secretly, he’s excited for both his brother and himself. Things are looking up.


-


Monday morning comes and Gerard really can’t be bothered. All he wants to do is crawl back in to Frank’s bed and maybe watch some Torchwood. And of course, maybe make out some more. It’s a long day for Gerard and he doesn’t even manage to scam the required amount of people out of a kitchen before his shift is over. He’s scolded by his boss but he couldn’t care less, as it’s just gone 5pm and he’s meeting Frank in less than two hours.

It seemed a little eager for the pair to be meeting again the next day, but neither wanted to wait. They wanted more, and quicker. Frank had suggested they meet the next day for another date, but Gerard had to pick the place this time. He had thought for a while and had told Frank he would text him in the morning to confirm where they would meet. He had spoken to Mikey a little about where he could take Frank out, and he had recommended a small Thai restaurant that Ray had taken him out to a few weeks back. Gerard knew Frank was vegetarian and of course, pescatarian but Mikey had assured him that they had a large range of vegetarian dishes to choose from. Gerard had texted Frank in the morning, wishing him a good morning, calling him gorgeous and confirming their date with a time a place. Gerard had felt on top of the world, before work of course. The texts from Frank during the day had helped, though, as did the minor case of flirting they had going on between their text messages.

The drive home from work is even more boring than usual with the one straight road all the way home, and all Gerard wants is to be with Frank, eating and talking and hopefully heading back to Frank’s later. He’s not too sure about the latter though, as it’s a work night and he knows Frank’s up early to feed his sharks. Gerard twists the key in the door and closes it behind him, dropping his keys and sprinting up the stairs and to the bathroom, only to find it engaged.

“Mikey, get your scrawny ass out of that bathroom now.” He shouts through the door.

“I’m having a shit dude, there’s some things you just can’t hurry!” Mikey replies and Gerard bangs his head against the door.

“Mikey. I have a date in an hour and half. I need a shower, moron.”

Mikey sighs and replies, “Go and sort your clothes out, you big-ass fairy. I’ll be out in a few.”

Gerard groans as he walks away and in to his room, now faced with the challenge of finding something decent to wear. He finds his black jeans in the back of his drawers and a shirt in his cupboard and lays them out on his bed. He takes a step back and looks at the outfit he’s picked. It consists of black and more black. He doesn’t care though, and rummages through his underwear drawer to find some clean boxers. Mikey comes trawling out of the bathroom then and in to his brother’s room, standing next to Gerard and looking down at the outfit he’s chosen.

“I see you’re going for the goth look. Nice.” Mikey offers before leaving the room and coming back a few seconds later, a tub of hair wax in his hand. “Please, tell me you’re going to do something with your hair?” He asks his brother and Gerard scowls, running his fingers through his dirty hair.

“Like what, moron? A fringe the size of a small country? ”

Mikey fakes a laugh and leaves the room, calling out behind him. “Get in the shower, you smell like shit!”

Gerard groans and grabs his towel before heading to the bathroom.


-

Frank can’t remember the last time he went out on a date (apart from with Gerard) and he’s nervous. He’s checked his hair in his rear view mirror about a hundred times and he’s fifteen minutes early at the restaurant. He’s dressed in his best black skinny jeans and a band shirt – clean, of course. He had rushed home after work and showered quickly, washing away the smell of fish and sea water from his skin and hair. He smelt like snow fairy shower gel now, Lush’s finest, and had a sparkle on his skin from the glitter here and there.

It’s nearly seven when Frank climbs out of his car and sees Gerard parking his car. His stomach jumps a little and he has to remind himself of the very intimate position they were in the day before. He’s got no reason to be nervous, as they have very much established that they both have feelings for one another.

“Hey,” Gerard speaks first as he walks towards Frank, looking gorgeous. Frank smiles and leans in for a quick kiss on the lips. As they separate Frank reaches for Gerard’s hand and they walk towards the restaurant doors. They are seated quickly and get a lovely little table right at the back, away from any prying eyes. Frank’s grateful they are nearly the only customers in the place as their hands join across the table. Frank hates nosey people.

“Good day at work?” Gerard asks as he pulls one hand away from Frank’s to pick his drink up and takes a sip, then moving his hand down to the basket of crackers.

“Yeah. One of my sharks is a little sick though, she’s been acting a little strange the past few days.” Frank looks concerned. For the past few days, his favourite female shark, Diamond, has been acting strange. Usually when Frank puts his wet suit and oxygen tanks on, she knows it’s time for a treat, and of course some attention. But as Frank had gone to put his suit on earlier in the day, Diamond had thrashed around and against the glass, not even wanting the large chunks of meat she could already smell.

“Why is she sick?” Gerard asks, taking another cracker and crunching it between his teeth.

Frank shrugs. “I’m not too sure. She didn’t even want her food today. We think she might be pregnant though, which would be great for our mating scheme!”

“That would be awesome, a baby shark!” Gerard agrees, seeing the excitement in Frank’s eyes as Gerard tries to join the conversation.

“Would you come and see her and the baby if she’s pregnant?” Frank asks, and he knows that Gerard might say no.

“‘Course I would! Sure, they still freak the shit out of me, but I trust you enough to keep me safe.” Gerard smiles and Frank feels his heart swell, something in the pit of his stomach stirring as he hears the words ‘trust you’ from Gerard’s mouth.

Their food soon arrives and it’s delicious. Gerard makes a mental note to thank his brother for the recommendation. He has a feeling he and Frank will be eating from this restaurant a lot. Frank orders an egg plant and baby corn dish in red Thai curry sauce and it’s amazing, especially as Frank pushes his fork across the table and to Gerard’s lips. Yes, Gerard thinks, food is totally more enjoyable when it’s being fed to you by an amazing and gorgeous man. He orders a chicken green Thai curry for himself, and it’s an amazing meal.

As they split the bill and head to their separate cars, Frank interjects.

“You want to stay over again?” He asks but he’s afraid Gerard is going to say no, with it being during the week. He doesn’t have to worry about the answer, though, as Gerard walks forward and pushes Frank against his car, lips on his neck and hands groping his hips. They drive their separate cars back to Frank’s and as they pull up outside, Gerard remembers to text his brother.

See, I’m texting you and telling you this time! I’m staying out, don’t trash the house. G.

Gerard then steps out from his car and heads towards Frank, who is swinging his apartment keys in a very seductive manner. Gerard laughs and slaps Frank’s ass as he walks in front, and Gerard is glad that the elevator is out of service as he gets to watch that perfect ass climb the sets of stairs.

As they get into the apartment their lips are on one another’s again, harsh teeth and wet tongues and it’s perfect. As they make their way in to the bedroom they work on one another’s clothes, Frank perfectly naked and stood before Gerard before Frank can even get the buttons open on Gerard’s shirt.

“That was quick, and now I feel slightly vulnerable.” Frank pouts and Gerard stands back to admire how gorgeous Frank’s body looks in the dull light of the glow in the dark fish (seductive, he knows) and as he licks his lips, he moves his hands to his own belt buckle and unfastens his quickly, pushing his jeans from his hips and down to his ankles in one clean motion, taking his boxers with them. Gerard unbuttons his shirt even quicker and when they’re both naked, they fall back on to the bed and start to make out again. Frank lets his hands wander and as they fall on Gerard’s ass he pulls him closer, pressing their groins together and basking in the feel of their growing arousals brushing together.

Gerard bites at his lip as Frank’s wandering hands move around from his backside, brushing round against his hip and down between his thighs. He pushes his head back against the mounds of goose down pillows and waits patiently for Frank’s fingers to brush against his sensitive skin, for his hand to wrap around his erection and grasp firm and warm. Frank strokes up and down, up and down and before Gerard can even start to notice a rhythm, the hand is gone and friction lost. He whines, high and needy from the back his throat and Frank shushes him, peppering kisses against his chest as he shimmies down the bed.

In a matter of seconds Frank’s moved his lips from Gerard’s hips to the inside of his thighs, the milky skin prickling as the hairs stand forward from the feel of Frank’s wet lips. Gerard sighs and pushes his hips forward a little, urging Frank to move his mouth just that little bit higher and –

“Fuck, yeah-” Gerard breathes as he feels the tip of Frank’s tongue dance over the head of his dick, resisting the urge to buck his hips and fill Frank’s mouth already. He doesn’t have to wait long though, as Frank receives the message loud and clear and engulfs Gerard in his warm, and wet mouth. Gerard feels heavy on Frank’s tongue, musky and sweaty but perfect. It’s been a long time since Frank’s been in a situation like this, but as he flattens his tongue on the underside of Gerard’s dick and licks a long, thick line he feels a little more relaxed.

“Yeah, Frank. Please, yeah-” The words spill from Gerard’s mouth effortlessly as Frank opens his mouth a little wider, relaxing his throat and letting Gerard push his hips from the bed. Gerard moves his hands quickly as his hips snap forward again and extends them down to brush against Frank’s hair. He holds back a little, not wanting to throw his hands at Frank’s head and fuck his face just yet but Frank has other thoughts. He keeps his mouth steady and moves his hands to grab Gerard’s, then guides their hands so that Gerard’s are on the top of Frank’s head. He gets what Frank wants and complies, extending his fingers and pushing his way through the strands of hair, tugging hard. He feels Frank moan as he does so, and pulls again and again, the feel of Frank moaning around him far too much for his brain to fathom, along with the smooth, and the wet feel of Frank’s tongue, the suction and oh god, the warmth. Gerard can’t remember ever receiving a blow job just this good, and could never remember it feeling this hot around his dick, a burning like sensation.

Frank brings his face up quickly and lets Gerard fall from his mouth for a second, his hand taking over for a second.

“You look fuckin’ gorgeous.” Frank spits out, eyes latched on Gerard’s throat as he throws his head back against the bed as Frank flicks his wrist. Before Gerard could even manage to string a sentence together Frank is back between his thighs, taking his dick in his mouth once again and letting his mouth fall slack, leaving Gerard to push his hips from the mattress again and seize control.

It only takes a minute of Gerard grabbing Frank’s hair and thrusting in and out of his mouth before he comes, all hips and hair and saliva. Gerard collapses back against the sheets and pants, letting his fingers loosen on Frank’s locks of hair. He hears Frank licking his lips and feels a thin line of come and saliva between his sensitive dick and Frank’s mouth and he moans, happy and content and spent.

Frank grins as he lays himself next to Gerard, watching as his chest rises and falls quickly.

“Good?” Frank asks, grin not budging from his face.

Gerard scoffs and nods, trying to comprehend just how good that actually was. He holds his hand up and signals a number one with his finger, and Frank nods, reaching out a hand to stroke back the sweat stained strands of hair that are pasted against Gerard’s forehead.

“Lay back.” Gerard orders a few moments later as he regains slightly normal breathing and Frank does as he is told, laying flat on his back as he watches Gerard shimmy down the bed a little, so that he is facing Frank’s taunt stomach. Frank lets his shoulders relax as he feels Gerard’s hand stroking his stomach, slowly moving down towards his belly button and even further until his fingertips brush against the small section of dark hair. Frank’s breath hitches in his throat as he feels Gerard’s fingers at the base of his dick and bites his lip, harsh as the fingers travel down further, enclosing around his erection, soft and warm. He strokes a few times and he feels Frank harden even more so. Gerard closes his eyes for a moment and just focuses on how Frank feels between his fingers, heavy and hot and with pre come sliding down and across his fingertips. Opening his eyes again he’s met with Frank, staring up at him. He smiles, a little awkward and stops his movements, bringing his hand away and scrapes his fingernails down Frank’s thighs. Frank bucks a little, impatient and needy but Gerard soon gives in, moving his head down in line with Frank’s groin and licks a hot and wet stripe along Frank’s erection, ever so slightly teasing.

“Gerard, please, please?” Frank pleads as he pushes himself up against his elbows and as Gerard looks up to see him watching, he moves quickly and takes Frank in to his mouth. Frank can’t tear his eyes away from what’s in front of him and as Gerard starts to move his mouth quicker, it’s too much and Frank really doesn’t want to come in about five seconds. Instead he throws his head back and closes his eyes, lost in the heat of Gerard’s tongue.

Just as Frank’s about to come he falls back, his elbows weak and shaking, giving way. He falls back against the bed and thrusts his hips high, his dick pushing towards the back of Gerard’s throat. Frank thrashes his head side to side and Gerard does the best he can, relaxing his throat muscles and breathing through his nose until Frank comes, hot and heavy against Gerard’s tongue and he swallows, letting Frank fall from his mouth and licks his lips.

“Best ever.” Frank pants as Gerard continues to lick his lips, moving from the foot of the bed to collapse next to Frank. Gerard smiles and leans in to kiss Frank’s lips and he sighs, content and relaxed.

“Another disc of Torchwood?” Gerard asks and Frank nods. Gerard leans in and kisses Frank’s nose before getting up from the bed and finding to next disc in the dull moonlight that’s seeping in through the blue curtains. They fall asleep some half hour later to another disk of Torchwood and Gerard couldn’t be any happier if he tried. He wakes up in the night to find Frank spooning him from behind and he smiles sleepy and content, before backing in to the embrace a little more and falling back to sleep.

They wake the next morning and Gerard showers quickly, returning to Frank’s bedroom and throwing on his clothes from last night. He doesn’t care if his clothes smell, he had the most wonderful night, and if his boss doesn’t like his odour, that’s his problem and not Gerard’s. Frank showers after and tells Gerard to help himself to some breakfast. Gerard wanders in to the kitchen and finds the toaster and some bread next to the appliance, then starts rummaging through the drawers in search of a knife. It’s the typical ‘I don’t know where this person keeps their cutlery’ search around the kitchen for one but he finally picks the right drawer and leans up towards what he assumes is the condiments cupboard. He grabs the first jar he finds and takes it from the shelf, opening the lid with a popping sound. Spreading some of the grape jelly across a piece of toast a minute later makes Gerard happy and he wanders across the kitchen to sit down on Frank’s couch. He eats his toast quietly, gently glancing around the room and taking in his surroundings. He can hear the water dripping in the bathroom and knows that Frank is in there, naked and gorgeous and Gerard kind of wishes they were at the stage in where they could share a shower. He hopes they’ll get there, because Gerard can’t see this ending any time soon – especially if the warm, heavy buzzing in his chest is anything to go by.

Some five minutes later Frank appears in the living room and Gerard is still on the couch, toast eaten and waiting for the day to start. Frank rubs at his eyes, tired and hair still damp. Gerard smiles over to him and gestures for him to move to the couch. Frank moves quickly and flops down on to Gerard’s lap, smiling at him and then resting his head on his shoulder.

“You smell nice.” Gerard mumbles as he wraps his arms around Frank and presses his nose against his freshly washed hair. He feels Frank smile against his neck.

“Too tired for this shit. Don’t want to work.” Frank sighs in to Gerard’s neck again and kisses the skin when he finishes his sentence. He feels Gerard shiver underneath his touch and he wraps his arms around Frank a little tighter.

“I know, me too.” Gerard agrees and he starts to rub small and soft circles at the base of Frank’s back. “All I want to do is drag you back to bed and cuddle. And then sleep. And then make out.” Gerard states and Frank laughs a little against his skin, all breath and moist and warm.

“You staying home tonight?” Frank asks and he knows he doesn’t want Gerard to answer, all he wants to do is to lock Gerard in his bedroom for the rest of eternity, and to never share him again.

“I don’t really want to…” Gerard says, thinking of actually going home and sleeping in an empty bed. The fact that that empty bed is down the hall from Mikey’s room in which he probably has his boyfriend in, doesn’t help either. “I was thinking you could maybe come over after work?”

Frank perks up a little and lifts his head from Gerard’s shoulder, facing him. “Yeah, that would be good.” He smiles and leans forward to kiss Gerard’s nose.

“You could come over and I could make us dinner?” Gerard asks, hoping Frank is thinking on the same level. “Mikey would probably be home though, I’d understand if you don’t want to come over when he’s around.”

Frank shakes his head and Gerard’s heart sinks. Frank quickly sees the disappointment in Gerard’s eyes and realizes he was meant to shake his head at the fact he didn’t mind that Mikey would be home, not that he didn’t want to come over.

“I’d love to come over, especially if you’re cooking.”

Gerard nods and leans across to kiss Frank’s lips. They kiss quietly for a few seconds, soft and slow before Frank moves from Gerard’s lap and runs around the house gathering the things he needs for work. They leave ten minutes later and share a firm and hot kiss against Frank’s car, both men promising to text the other on their lunch breaks.

-

“And why should I have to be on my best behavior?” Mikey asks as he leans across his brother in the kitchen, grabbing a handful of raw mushrooms and shoving them in his mouth. Gerard tries to swat his hand away, but it’s no use, as Mikey just leans over to grab another lot.

“Frank’s coming over for dinner. Just, please don’t do anything stupid.”

Mikey scoffs and shoves his last few mushrooms in to his mouth, chewing loud near Gerard’s ear. “Chill the fuck out. I’m not even eating dinner down here tonight.”

Gerard feels his chest loosen a little and contemplates asking Mikey exactly why he won’t be around for the evening, but of course his younger brother beats him to it.

“Ray’s coming over, we’re ordering pizza and taking it to my room.” Mikey grins and bounces on the balls of his feet, reaching over for some more raw mushrooms but this time Gerard’s quicker and smacks at his hand.

“Have fun.” Gerard scowls as Mikey pushes him out of the way and finally grabs another handful of food before fleeing the kitchen and running up the stairs.

Gerard had texted Frank on his lunch break and told him to come round after work. Frank had texted back and said he would be there as quick as he could, and that he was looking forward to their evening, as usual. Gerard was nervous, though. He’d never even cooked for anybody before and didn’t really know what to make, but he knew Frank was vegetarian, and that made choosing what he was going to make easier. Gerard had spent the day at work searching the internet for the perfect meal, and after a while had settled on a vegetable and coriander pasta dish.

It’s nearly five when Frank knocks on the door and Gerard’s simmering the pasta sauce down. He opens the door with his apron on and Frank grins, pulling him in by the neck strap to greet him with a kiss.

“Good day?” Gerard asks as he pulls back, placing a hand on Frank’s as he pulls him in to the house and closes the door behind them.

“It was good, yeah. Missed you though.” Frank mumbles as he stops Gerard in his tracks, just before they reach the kitchen and presses him up against the wall. Gerard’s head hits the wall and he laughs, moving his hand to rake his fingers through Frank’s messy hair.

“Eager, aren’t you?” Gerard asks and Frank nods, moving his lips down to Gerard’s. They kiss slow and soft and Frank moves his hands down to Gerard’s hips and squeezes, firm. They break apart a few seconds later as they hear a background cough.

“Ray’s coming over in half an hour, we’re ordering pizza.” Mikey speaks as he walks in to the kitchen to grab a bottle of soda and two glasses. He walks back out the kitchen and turns around to speak, “Oh, and hi, Frank.” Mikey smiles and Frank mumbles hi back before Gerard lunges for his lips again.

Dinner is ready not long after, and they eat on the couch. Frank’s convinced that Gerard’s ordered the food from a takeout place because the food it’s insanely good. After eating, the pair wash the dishes together and then move to the living room again.

“You want to watch a film?” Gerard asks Frank and he nods.

“You have to choose, though.” Frank states as he lies back on the couch and pushes his head back against the rest.

Gerard picks the first horror flick he can find in his and Mikey’s gigantic pile of DVDs and puts it in the player, grabbing the remote and moving towards the couch. Frank’s lying with his back to the arm rest and gestures for Gerard to lie between his legs. Gerard looks a little awkward as he lowers himself down on to the couch and between Frank’s legs, but when the film starts and Frank starts to twirl strands of Gerard’s hair between his fingers, Gerard’s glad. As well as playing with his hair, Frank’s stroking the skin at the side of Gerard’s neck, soft and slow, driving Gerard insane after a while.

Things start to get a little more awkward too, when Gerard starts to hear a low thumping coming from upstairs. He looks up at the ceiling and cocks his head to the side, wondering what it is. It’s only when he starts to hear the distinct noise of a headboard hitting a wall that it clicks.

Mikey.

Gerard sighs and throws his head back against Frank’s torso. He tries to avert his eyes back to the screen but the banging doesn’t stop, oh no, it gets worse. Gerard feels Frank shift under him and he then sits up to turn around.

“Please tell me you can’t hear that?” Gerard asks, biting his lip as he waits for an answer. Awkward.

Frank smirks “Yeah, I can totally hear that.”

Gerard groans and shifts so that they’re lying chest to chest, and throws his head back down against Frank’s neck.

“I’m going to kill him.” Gerard groans as the thumping on the walls starts to quicken, along with a very distinct moan of ‘Oh, Ray – don’t stop, baby!’

“Hey, at least he’s happy?” Frank laughs and moves a hand to stroke at Gerard’s hair, noticing he was blushing.

Gerard nods “Yeah, a little too happy for my liking.” He states, and licks his lips, mouth suddenly rather dry. “There are some things a brother really doesn’t need to hear.”

Frank laughs again and leans forward to place a kiss on Gerard’s lips, firm and warm, and he sighs, relaxing against Frank’s chest and moving a hand to place it against Frank’s smooth stomach, kneading the skin gently. Frank sighs into the kiss and extends his tongue towards Gerard’s parting lips, slipping it in and brushing firm and hot and as Frank moves his tongue to stroke the upper of Gerard’s mouth, he feels something in the pit of his stomach ignite.

Frank continues to stroke the roof of Gerard’s mouth with his tongue and moves his hands down towards his boyfriend’s hips, letting one hand push the shirt from the skin and up, exposing milky white skin to the slight crisp air. Frank lets his other hand wander down towards Gerard’s pants and settles on his ass cheek, groping hard. As he does, Gerard moans into Frank’s mouth and pushes his hips down towards Frank’s, the friction leaving them both short for breath.

Gerard’s working up the courage to move his hand from Frank’s stomach and he finally does, pushing it down towards Frank’s crotch. His long fingers reach the button and zipper and just as he’s about to push his hand down the front of the pants, the living room door bursts open.

Gerard jumps from Frank’s lap and in the process, pulling his shirt down as he moves. Frank only flattens his shirt down and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. As the door opens Gerard sees his brother tumbling in, half naked with only his boxers covering himself and his boyfriend Ray, behind him, Both giggling. Gerard cocks an eyebrow and shoots a dirty look towards his sibling.

“What the fuck, Mikes?” Gerard asks, annoyed.

The pair at the door both giggle as Ray wraps an arm around Mikey’s middle, he himself nearly naked.

“Sorry, needed a drink. Wrong door.” Mikey claims, holding his hands to the air, pleading innocence.

“Maybe if you took your eyes off of one another for a second you’d see the kitchen was that way, moron.” Gerard shoots, still very much glaring at his brother.

Mikey tries to keep a straight face but cracks up again only seconds later. “This is Ray, forgot to introduce you.”

Gerard nods. “Yeah, we gathered that before.” Gerard says, referring back ten minutes ago to when Mikey was screaming his name from upstairs.

Mikey blushes and Ray wraps another arm around his middle, holding him close. “Yeah, sorry about that.” The younger Way speaks, smiling over to Frank too.

“Hi, Frank,” Mikey smiles, looking between Gerard and Frank who’s still lying on the couch, unfazed.

Frank moves his head to smile over at Mikey and Ray, and even though they have already met, Mikey moves from where he’s stood in the door way to offer Frank a hand shake.

Frank grimaces a little and looks between Mikey’s hand and Ray. “Sorry, dude, but I’d rather not shake your hand right now.” Frank offers, furrowing his eyebrows a little.

Gerard smirks and tries not to laugh. Mikey laughs a little and nods, moving back towards the door and back in to Ray’s arms. “Probably for the best.” Mikey adds with a smile.

“Okay, could you kindly fuck off now? We’re trying to watch a movie.” Gerard asks and Mikey raises an eyebrow.

“That didn’t look like trying to watch a film.” He smirks.

Gerard sighs again and moves from the couch, walking over to where Mikey was standing with Ray and shoving his brother from the door way.

“If you have sex again, please keep it quiet!” Gerard calls after them as they move into the kitchen, closing the living room door before moving back over to the couch where Frank is waiting.

“You okay?” Frank asks, holding out his hand and motioning for Gerard to sit back between his thighs.

Gerard nods. “Yeah, it’s good to see him happy.”

Frank smiles and hums as Gerard settles himself back between his legs, chests pressed together again. He adjusts himself a little on the couch and fights back a quiet moan as their crotches rub together as he moves, Frank’s arms starting to circle his waist and his hands starting to roam at his back again.

Frank moves a hand back down to Gerard’s ass and pushes the other up the back of his shirt, scraping his blunt nails against Gerard’s pale, milk-white skin.

“So, where were we?” Frank smirks and Gerard lunges forward, pressing their lips together again.


-

A few weeks of dinner dates and sloppy hand/blow jobs later Frank can’t remember ever being so happy, or so head over heels for anybody before. He knows love is a pretty strong word, but when he looks at Gerard picking apart his sandwich at lunch or when he’s sprawled out in bed, mouth around Gerard’s dick he can’t find another word that actually fits. The only word he can even remotely put with what he is feeling is love. Thankfully, he knows Gerard is feeling the same way. A few days previously they’d been in the middle of a very heated make out session when Gerard had let the words slip from his throat and through his lips and on to Frank’s, spilling out and wrapping themselves around Frank’s heart. Gerard had blushed a furious red and Frank had stopped and stared, baffled.

-

“W-what?” Frank asked, holding Gerard’s face in his hands so that he couldn’t shy away.

“Nothing, just, nothing-”

“You love me?” Frank asked before Gerard could even try and finish saying that it was nothing.

Gerard sighed and licked his lips before resting his forehead on Frank’s shoulder.

“You can leave, if you want.” Gerard states and motions towards the living room door. Frank only blinks, still trying to process the words.

“I’m not going anywhere, moron.” Frank says as he takes Gerard’s hand in his own, bringing it to his mouth to place an open kiss against the skin.

“I love you too.” Frank speaks after a long, deep breath and there, he’s said it. He actually said it back.

Gerard’s eyes run wide as he tries to process what Frank just said.

“Look you don’t have to just say-” Gerard starts to mumble and before he can even finish his sentence Frank’s lips are attached to his, desperate and needy and loving.

-

Frank likes Fridays right now, because every Friday he works means he gets to see Gerard at the end of the day, and the majority of the weekend. Working during the week doesn’t stop them from spending the night at one another’s house, but knowing they have an entire two days to themselves pleases Frank. It’s nearly four o clock and Frank’s just been diving with the sharks. He’s having to check on the female in the group, check that her baby is doing okay and if she is showing any signs of early labour or discomfort. He’d lost track of time when he was down there, as he’d taken a full canister of oxygen with him and continued to swim around with them, feeding them small pieces of meat as a treat. The kids love watching Frank as he swims around in the tank, and out of the corner of his eye as he swims through the reef he sees Gerard’s face. He smiles (or tries to) around his mouth piece, and swims across to the glass and over to where Gerard is standing, looking slightly terrified. Frank’s happy to see Gerard near the sharks though, and it proves that his plan is working to try and get Gerard to accept the water and the fish, to embrace it and see that it really isn’t such a scary thing.


Frank makes his way over to the glass and as he floats just above where Gerard is standing, holds a hand out to wave against the thick restraints.

Gerard’s eyes grow wide as he realizes just who is in front of him inside the damn tank with the sharks and Frank continues to wave, as he can’t really smile. Frank uses his right hand to make an ‘OK’ sign to Gerard and he sees his boyfriend relax a little, but only for a second before he sees a large shark swim right behind Frank, its fin brushing against Frank’s wet suit. Frank stills his movements and is careful not to scare the shark, before making another sign with his hand to motion to Gerard that he really is okay. Gerard nods and motions towards the back door in where Frank will be emerging from the tank soon. Frank nods as much as he can under water and Gerard nods again, confirming that he will meet him there in a minute. Frank waves again before swimming off again and towards the sharks, much to Gerard’s dismay.

Frank swims up from the reef and to the surface hole at the back of the tank. He pushes himself from the small opening and sits on the surface, flippers still in the water. He removes his mouth piece and then shrugs the oxygen tanks from his back. He swings his feet from the water and then pulls the plastic from his feet. Setting them to one side, he moves himself from the floor and stands, turning towards the door.

Gerard’s already standing at the door and he quickly closes it as he sees Frank, stood in nothing but his wet suit. His hair is dripping wet and smeared across his face, his cheeks flushed pink and his mouth too from his breathing tube. Covering his body is a thick, black and yellow wet suit. Frank smiles and starts to unzip the suit, stopping half way so that he can shrug his shoulders and arms from the material and peel it over his chest and down to his stomach. Gerard swallows hard and tries to think of something, anything to say that won’t end up with his pants growing any tighter than they are right now.

“You look – um, you- ” Gerard stutters as he tries to find words, any words to describe how Frank looks, stood all wet and flustered and in that damn suit.

Frank makes a goofy face and smiles, walking towards Gerard. He continues walking and makes Gerard back up until he’s got his back pressed against the wall next to the door. Frank smirks and reaches out towards the lock and twists it until he hears the satisfying click of the metal lock lodging itself in to the wooden door. Gerard tries to breathe a little more evenly but it doesn’t work as Frank lunges for his lips, pressing his wet body against Gerard’s. He moans deep in his throat as Frank’s tongue presses against his, sliding hot and heavy against one another until Frank pulls back, Gerard’s bottom lip in tow.

“You look amazing.” Gerard pants against Frank as he gains his bottom lip back. Frank presses their foreheads together and sighs.

“You too. I love it when I get to see you in a suit.” Frank purrs as he toys with Gerard’s tie, brushing his fingers against the blue silk material and across to where Gerard’s nipples are starting to harden under Frank’s touch.

“Your suit is a little more impressive, don’t you think?” Gerard points out as he lets his hands wander down Frank’s bare chest and across to the bulge in his wet suit, just between his thighs. “I never knew sharks had this effect on you, baby.” Gerard teases as he feels Frank’s dick twitch and start to harden under his touch. Frank only moans and lets his head lull forward and on to Gerard’s shoulder.

“God, you’re amazing.” Frank whispers against Gerard’s ear as he continues to palm Frank through the thick material.

“Tonight-” Gerard points out as he stops his hand movements.

Frank whines high in the back of his throat.

“You’re mine-” Gerard presses harder again and Frank moans loud against the shell of his ear. “All mine.” He promises and Frank nods, half hard and ready for almost anything.

“Tonight.” Frank concludes as he tears himself away from his boyfriend with a quick kiss.

“Tonight.” Gerard finishes, as he watches Frank tear his wet suit off and towel himself off.

-



After Frank had stripped from his wet suit and changed back in to his work clothes, Gerard steals a few more kisses before they make their way to the exit. Frank’s happy that he doesn’t have to stay till closing, because if he had to, he swears his pants might just cut off the blood supply to his thighs with the rate they are growing tighter. They hold hands as they leave the aquarium and walk to their own cares, and Frank makes sure to press Gerard up against his car before he lets him drive, moving his hand to press against his crotch quick and hard. Gerard’s heart all but flat-lines as Frank’s lips attach to his neck even quicker, sucking and biting with harsh, perfect teeth.

“Drive quickly.” Frank mouths against Gerard’s neck and he nods, hands stretched out by his sides using the car to stay upright.

Frank kisses Gerard’s lips before moving to his own car and settling down in the driver’s seat. He turns the key in the ignotion and winds down his window.

“Love you.” Frank smiles and Gerard’s heart is pulsing in his chest until it hurts and it’s all he can feel. He’s pretty sure this is what a heart attack feels like.

Licking his lips Gerard realizes his throat’s suddenly become very dry. He opens his mouth slowly to say the words back but Frank only smiles again and drives off, leaving Gerard with his back flat against his car, pants ridiculously tight and mouth still dry.

Gerard tries to calm himself on the short drive back to Frank’s, but it’s no use. He feels sick, his stomach churning and his ears pounding. He doesn’t even understand why he’s so nervous, because they’ve been intimate before, very. It’s common knowledge that both men have had anal sex before, and they’re fully prepared on the lube front, but there’s something in the pit of Gerard’s stomach, an ache he can’t get rid of.

Parking on a side street, Gerard locks his car and walks over to Frank’s house. He lets himself in knowing the door will only be on the latch and walks in, closing the door behind him. He stops, back against the door completely silent. He looks around the kitchen and the living room, but can’t see Frank. He furrows his eyebrows slightly, confused. Walking slowly towards the bedroom, Gerard’s palms begin to sweat. He can’t remember ever being so nervous about sex before in his life, apart from that one time in college – his first time that is. All he remembers about that is a mixture of pain and not so much pleasure, an old condom from his roommate’s wallet and nowhere near enough lube. After the awkward first time they had sex a few more times afterwards, but once college ended and Gerard moved back home, it hadended. Gerard doesn’t know why his palms are sweating, or why his heartbeat is pounding in his ears as he pushes Frank’s bedroom door open, slowly peering in to see Frank on the bed, completely naked and touching himself.

Gerard has to stop himself from moaning out loud at the sight, closes his mouth so that nothing can escape, not a sound. He eyes Frank with blown pupils, shifting from the look of lust on Frank’s face to his shiny, swollen lips to his hand on his own dick.

Frank smiles and continues to palm himself, unfazed by his audience. “I thought you’d changed your mind.” He speaks, calm and collected, and Gerard is at a loss as to how Frank can be so confident.

Gerard licks his lips as he feels his mouth run dry again and he thinks that maybe he might have to start having to carry a bottle of water with him now, as Frank is certainly making a habit out of leaving him with his mouth wide open and his tongue dry. Gerard moves over to the bed slowly until he’s stood at the side of the bed, right next to Frank.

Frank looks up and licks his lips. He stops touching himself and sits up a little, moving his hands to Gerard’s belt buckle. He undoes it quickly, the clinking of the metal loud in Gerard’s ears, though still not masking the sound of his erratic heartbeat.

Frank pulls the belt from its loops slowly and drops it to the floor with a thud. Gerard goes to undo his pants, but Frank slaps his hand away.

“Mine.” Frank all but growls and Gerard feels his dick twitch, brushing against the cotton underwear that he’s sure is soon to be on Frank’s bedroom floor. Frank unbuttons and unzips the pants and pushes them down over Gerard’s hips. As they fall to his ankles Gerard kicks his feet out of them and as he does, Frank pulls him closer by the waistband of his underwear, hooking his fingers under the elastic and tugging them down. Gerard gasps as the cold air hits his dick and Frank smirks, eyeing his erection.

“You’re fuckin’ beautiful, Gerard.” Frank mouths as he pulls Gerard closer by his wrist, leaning forward to kiss the porcelain like skin that covers his hipbones. Gerard moans quietly and moves his head a little to look down, Frank’s gorgeous lips against his skin and far too close to his growing erection.

Before Gerard can even realise what Frank is doing, he feels his tongue against his dick and throws his head back with a loud, throaty moan. Frank’s on his knees on the bed and Gerard is stood in front of him, cock in his mouth and trying his hardest to stop his knees from buckling.

“Fuck, Frank. Fuck-” Gerard mouths as he looks down and watches Frank. He’s like a fuckin’ artist when it comes to sucking, he swears. The way he watches Frank take his length, slow and neat and “Oh fuck yeah” as he feels the head of his dick hit the back of Frank’s throat.

Frank continues to suck, not so neat anymore but sloppy, and Gerard’s knees are weak. He’s staring down at Frank and watching his dick disappear in to Frank’s mouth and he can feel his tongue working its way around his shaft, sloppy and flat and full and Gerard’s going to come far too soon if Frank doesn’t stop.

“Frank, baby...” is all Gerard has to say before Frank pulls off and stares up at Gerard, lips all spit shining and swollen and Gerard wants to pull Frank back and fuck his mouth until he comes but he doesn’t, he controls himself as much as he can as he unbuttons his shirt and slips it off, tie falling to the floor with it.

“You should have left that on.” Frank whispers as Gerard crawls on to the bed, fully naked now. The hairs on his skin stand on edge when Frank whispers and for a second thinks of all the possibilities that tie could hold. He throws the thought away, however, just for now. He’s sure they’ll have time to experiment in the bedroom soon enough, but for now, he just wants Frank to fuck him, soft at first, and then hard, so fucking hard he won’t be able to move from the bedroom tomorrow. They’ve waited for this, survived on hand jobs and grinding and fuck, Gerard really wants Frank to fuck him. He’d thought about it a lot recently, about how he wants Frank to lay him down on the dark blue sheets, to feel Frank’s hands drift across his skin and down to his thighs before slipping one of those long, tanned fingers inside of him, working him open before he fucks him.

And that’s exactly what Gerard is about to feel as Frank reaches over towards a box on the floor because, come on, the nightstand is far too clichéd place for Frank to keep his supplies. He pulls off the fancy lid to the decorative box and fumbles around, pulling a condom and a bottle of Durex lube and placing them next to Gerard on the bed. Frank slowly climbs on top of him and leans down to press their lips together, the first time they’ve actually kissed since the aquarium. It’s all lips and teeth and far too much tongue but they don’t care, it’s hungry and fast and everything they both need right now. Frank pulls back first and Gerard follows, bringing his head off of the pillow and whines a little.

“You want me to kiss you all night, or do you actually want to get somewhere?” Frank asks as he looks down at Gerard, licking his lips and reaching for the bottle of lube. Gerard only nods and breaths in a sharp breath.

Leaning back down to hover over Gerard’s ear, Frank ghosts his hot breath against the shell and speaks, low and dirty.

“Can I fuck you?” He asks Gerard, voice hot against his skin and Gerard moans in the back of his throat, strangled. “Please, Gerard, let me fuck you?” Frank continues and Gerard is so damn hard he can’t think straight. Not that Frank fucking him needs much consideration.

“Yes- please, fuck me. Yeah.” Gerard babbles and nods at the same time because he is absolutely sure this is what he wants, no, needs and Frank continues, licking the shell of his ear before trailing down to his neck, kissing gently before biting down at the skin. Gerard moans again and pushes his head to the side, allowing Frank more room to bite but he ignores the rest of the neck and pulls off.

“Good.” Frank nods and smiles as he pulls the cap from the bottle, pressing the pump down a few times before the strawberry lubricant pours out across his fingers, wet and smooth and Gerard bites at his lip as Frank moves his hand between his thighs, past his erection and back towards his ass.

“Ready?” Frank asks and takes a deep breath. Gerard nods and smiles and that’s all the confirmation Frank needs before pushing at the tight muscle, his finger entering with a little friction. Gerard grunts at the intrusion and remembers to breathe, slow and long and lets his body relax. He feels Frank’s free hand stroking at his thighs, soft and soothing as he pushes a little against Gerard with his finger, slowly opening him up.

“Two.” Gerard orders as the one finger starts to feel inadequate. Frank only grins and pulls his finger from Gerard, adding a little more lube and pressing gently at the hole again, this time with two fingers. Gerard grunts again and this time, it’s more pleasurable. As Frank starts to pull his fingers a little way out and pushes back in, Gerard works with him, pressing himself down against the fingers.

“You don’t have to be so gentle.” Gerard breathes out as Frank pushes in and pulls out, fingers scraping at his insides, the friction and the teasing starting to grow too much for Gerard. He needs Frank, soon.

Frank looks up and catches Gerard’s eyes. “I know, but I want to be.” He says with a slight smile and pulls his fingers all the way out. Gerard sighs from the loss of contact, and the need to be full again. It’s only a few seconds before he’s got his wish and Frank is pushing three fingers in this time, opening him wide and Gerard can’t get enough now as Frank is pushing a little harder, stroking his fingers against the inside of Gerard, just near his prostate.

“I’m good, I’m okay.” Gerard breathes out, as he brings a hand up to wipe his dark hair away from his face.

Frank nods and pulls his fingers out slowly. He grabs the condom from bed and tears it open carefully, bringing it out and holding his dick in one hand. He places the condom on the head and slowly rolls it down, the feel of his hand against his erection satisfying for the moment. Gerard watches and really, he can’t believe how anybody can make putting a condom on so sexy. The way Frank’s fingers roll the latex over himself, the way he throws his head back exposing his throat, it’s just so fuckin’ intoxicating. Once he’s sheathed, Frank grabs the pump and squirts some more lube out and on to his fingers, before smearing it across and coating himself generously.

Moving so that he’s hovering over Gerard once again, Frank leans down to press a kiss to Gerard’s lips, lingering for a second before pulling back and pushing Gerard’s thighs open. Gerard helps, moving his legs a little further in the air so that his ass is higher on the bed. Frank takes a deep breath and holds himself in his hand, lining up with Gerard and pushes, soft and slow until he can feel the head of his dick surrounded by tight heat.

“Yeah, yeah.” Gerard mouths as he feels Frank push in further, the burn and the stretch too damn good. He feels so full and he never wants Frank to leave, wants to feel this full forever. Frank pushes in a little further until he’s all the way in, the base of his dick and balls resting against Gerard’s ass.

“So warm, Gerard.” Frank moans out as he stills his movements, basking in the warmth and the tightness that’s surrounding him.

Gerard nods and pushes against Frank, needing him to move. Frank nods back and moves, pulling out a little and pushing back in and Gerard’s moaning, pushing back against him and urging him to quicken his movements. Frank does as he’s told, pulling out further the next time and pushing back in, harder. Gerard’s moaning every time he does this now, pushing back against him as Frank pushes back in, thrusting deep in to Gerard.

“Harder Frank, please.” Gerard moans and as soon as the words escape his mouth, Frank starts to pound in and out, Frank’s thighs slapping against Gerard’s ass. Gerard’s thrusting his hips up from the bed and meeting Frank with every push, trying his hardest for Frank to push just that little bit deeper, just that little closer that Gerard needs, aches for.

“Come on, please, fuck me.” Gerard moans again and Frank fucks him harder, pulling out completely and pushing back in, hard and fast and deep.

Frank lets his head lull down, chin hitting his chest and as he lets his eyes wander down, he moans out loud at the sight. He stares as he watches himself fucking Gerard, watches the tight ring of muscle stretching across his dick, the latex of the condom stretching across his erection and pushing in and out of his boyfriend, fucking him hard and deep and, fuck, Frank moves his eyes up to Gerard’s face, but the look there is even better, the way Gerard’s throwing his head back against the pillows and the look on his face is enough to make Frank want to come, hard. Gerard’s mouth is open, his lips shining with spit and his face sweaty and flushed, his hair covering his eyes and Frank doesn’t think he’s ever seen Gerard look so beautiful.

“Frank, harder. Yeah, there baby.” Gerard pants as he sees Frank watching him, eyes meeting and, fuck, he’s so ready to come. “Harder baby, just a little harder.” Gerard encourages Frank because that’s all he needs and he’s ready, just a little harder against his prostate and he’s ready, the tip of Frank’s dick hitting his prostate full on, hard and fast and Gerard’s coming, white fluid splattering across his chest and streaming down his thighs.

“Fuck, fuck!” Frank moans out as he watches Gerard explode, thick jets of come spurting across his boyfriend’s chest and yeah, that’s all he needs. Frank fucks Gerard quicker and harder, using him to get off. Gerard’s lay there, spent and empty and Frank’s just fucking him, not letting up, but pummelling harder until he comes, hard and full inside of Gerard.

Frank hisses as he pulls out and rolls the condom from off himself, carefully tying a knot in the end and dropping it on the floor, making a mental note not to step on it later when he’s climbing out of bed. He moves up and falls next to Gerard, whose arm is covering his eyes, chest rising and falling quicker than Frank’s ever seen before.

“You okay?” Frank asks, breathy against Gerard’s shoulder.

Gerard nods and moves his hand away from his face to turn and look at Frank. He looks beautiful, absolutely stunning with his chin-length hair matted with sweat, face flushed and eyes tired.

“I’m amazing.” Gerard speaks and his throat his scratchy.

“Mmm.” is all Frank replies with, as he lazily reaches down to pull the covers across their bodies, moving slightly so that his head is nestled in the crook of Gerard’s armpit.

“I can’t imagine it smells too good there, Frank.” Gerard moves his head a little to look down at Frank and he just shrugs, nestling his nose in a little more.

“Don’t care, comfy.” Frank replies and Gerard nods because fuck, he really is comfortable. Not just in the physical sense, but mentally and emotionally. He can’t remember ever feeling this at home, this happy or content after sex. He sighs and moves his arm so that he can finger at Frank’s damp hair, running the pads against the hair and pulling strands through his hands. Frank sighs again and lets his eyes fall closed.


-

It’s light when Gerard opens his eyes, sun dripping through the curtains and across the room. He blinks a few times and shifts in the bed, wincing a little as he moves his ass. He blinks again and looks to the side of him, Frank sprawled out on his front, covers draped across his back and hair across his face. The sun is shining on him, illuminating his skin, and even through the crusty sleep that’s still adorning Gerard’s eyelashes, he can see Frank looks beautiful.

Turning around slowly, Gerard leans over the bed and to the floor where he had dropped his bag. He unzips the backpack and rummages for his cell. He finds it quickly and grasps it in his hand before laying back down against the bed. He kicks the sheets off of himself a little, feeling warm. Flipping his cell phone open he stares at the time, 09.40. They had [they’ve] slept the entire evening and night away and Gerard feels on top of the world, well, apart from the burn in his lower back and ass every time he moves. Looking closer at the cell screen, Gerard notices a text message. Oh fuck.

Mikey: Fuckface. You did it again. Is it really so hard to text me that you’re staying out all night? If you’re coming home text me before, Ray’s here and we’ll probably be busy, if you know what I mean x

Gerard sighs because really, texting his brother to let him know that that he wasn’t going to be home again was the last thing on his mind last night. He presses the button to write a reply and types -

Sorry Mikes, got distracted. Not coming home tonight, spending the weekend at Frank’s. Have fun...safe fun. X

Gerard sends the text and flips his phone back down and tucks it under his pillow before rolling over and moving a little closer to Frank. He’s still on his front, facing Gerard and snoring softly. Gerard smiles and extents a hand to stroke away the hair from Frank’s face, moving the dark long locks away from his eyes so that he can watch his eyelashes flutter a little before they open a little more. Frank yawns and moves a hand to rub at his eyes and smiles at Gerard, sleepy.

Gerard moves a tiny bit closer again and drapes an arm across Frank’s back, sighing at how their skin feels against one another. “Morning,” He speaks, voice a little croaky.

Frank smiles and moves his head a little, resting it on Gerard’s pillow and so their noses are nearly touching.

“Morning, you.” Frank whispers against Gerard’s lips and leans in for a small, closed mouth kiss. Gerard whines high in his throat as a protest for when Frank moves away and tries to kiss him again, but Frank squirms.

“I have morning breath. Really not a very seductive kiss, I can assure you.” Frank laughs, voice still laden with sleep.

Gerard rolls his eyes. “So let me get this right. You can have my dick in your mouth, I can have your dick in my mouth but I can’t kiss you with morning breath?”

Frank bites his lip and tries not to think too much about the whole dick in mouth situation because the rate at which he can get a boner is pretty embarrassing. “It’s just, morning breath!” Frank tries to explain but Gerard simply shakes his head against the pillow and lunges in.

Gerard grabs Frank’s head between his hands and crushes their lips together. Frank tries to move in protest and makes a noise against Gerard’s lips but he doesn’t budge, only sticks his tongue out until Frank gives in and their lips are touching, skin on skin and teeth and saliva and Gerard doesn’t think he’s ever felt so alive. As Frank relaxes in to the kiss and apparently forgets all about his morning breath, Gerard lets his hand fall from Frank’s face and wander down his body, pressing against his back and drawing him in closer. Frank moans in to the kiss and Gerard takes it as encouragement, letting his hand slip lower and lower until he’s met with Frank’s ass. He squeezes it, letting a little nail dig in to the soft skin as they continue to kiss with far too much tongue.

Chests pressed against one another, Gerard moves his hand around from Frank’s ass and lets his hand slip so that it’s pressed against Frank’s growing erection. He palms it softly before taking it in his hand, stroking slow until Frank’s hard and heavy against his skin. As Gerard moves his hand up to thumb against the slit Frank breaks from the kiss to throw his head back and moan appreciatively. Gerard smiles as he continues to move his hand up and down, thumbing the head now and again and moving his hand right down to the base where he lets his fingers dance through the pubic hair that litters the skin, dragging his nails lightly against it as he moves his hand back up again, pre come smoothing against his fingertips and smearing down Frank’s length.

Frank’s moaning, loud and right near Gerard’s face and he loves it, feeling the hot breath against his lips. He leans in, trapping Frank’s lips with his before pulling back not long after, mouths still lightly pressed against each others.

“Fuck me again.” Gerard whispers against Frank’s lips and kisses lightly. He watches as his boyfriend throws his head back, moaning and bucking up into Gerard’s hand. “Fuck me again Frank, please.” He asks again and he watches Frank’s face as he nods quickly.

“You sure you can take it?” Frank asks between moans.

“Yeah, I’m sore, but I want it. Frank, I fuckin’ need it again.” Gerard speaks and Frank nods again. “We’re going to try something different though Frank, okay? I want to do this.”

Frank nods again and watches as Gerard moves from the bed to where he knows the lube and condoms are. He pulls a different lube bottle from the previous night because Frank didn’t put it back in the box, and fuck knows where it’s gotten to. He plucks a condom from the pile and smiles to himself before sitting up next to Frank.

“The condom has patterns on it!” Gerard says, amused.

Frank laughs. “Yeah, it’s one that’s meant to increase the pleasure?” He states and that’s enough for Gerard as he brings the foil packet to his mouth to tear it open, careful not to damage the latex inside. Once he has it out of the covering, he pushes the covers back to reveal Frank, naked and completely hard. Gerard licks his lips and leaves his tongue out, for concentration of course as he leans over and places the latex over Frank, rolling it down slowly as he hears Frank moan, loud and throaty.

“You think that’s tight...” Gerard starts as he rolls the condom all the way down, brushing at Frank’s snail trail and bringing his fingers up to tweak a nipple. “Wait until you’re inside of me again.” He whispers and tweaks Frank’s nipple again, watching him as he gasps and bucks his hips.

Frank’s just about to move and settle on top when Gerard stops him. He places a firm hand on his chest and pushes him back down against the bed.

“No, Frank,” Gerard mouths and hitches a leg over Frank’s hips, stopping as he’s straddling Frank’s middle. Gerard leans down across Frank’s chest and kisses his lips. “You’re going to fuck me.” Gerard continues, and Frank visibly shivers. “But I’m going to ride you, baby. I’m going to sit on your dick and you’re going to fuck me. Got it?” Gerard finishes and Frank has no fuckin’ idea where this confident, sassy Gerard has come from but, fuck, he’s liking it.

Gerard moves a little lower and raises his hips, hovering over Frank. He grabs the bottle of lube from next to him and presses the pump a few times, the strawberry aroma filling his nostrils again. Once he’s coated his fingers he balances on top of Frank, moving his hand around to press a finger into himself. Gerard moans, low and deep in the back of his throat as he fingers himself, adding another quickly and pumping in and out. He’s still pretty loose from last night, and sore, but he doesn’t care because when he can’t walk or sit down for work on Monday, it will have been worth it.

As Gerard’s fingering himself still, Frank’s lying back against the bed, just watching. He can’t even comprehend just how gorgeous Gerard looks, jaw slack as he works his own fingers in and out of himself, preparing to sink down on Frank.

“Ready?” Gerard asks as he pulls his fingers out and grasps hold of Frank, ready to guide himself down. Frank nods and can’t take his eyes away from the sight in front of him and as Gerard sinks down on to him, he gasps and bucks a little.

“Fuck. Fuck!” Gerard mouths as he presses down fully, completely full. He’s burning, on fire and he’s stretched so far but he doesn’t care, it’s painful but it’s good, so damn good that when he raises his hips off of Frank’s and slams back down, he’s moaning louder than he’s ever done before.

Frank can’t believe his luck, as he lays there with Gerard on top of him, fucking his dick. Gerard looks absolutely stunning, hips crashing against his, dick hard and leaking against his stomach and hair across his face, dripping down from the roots and covering his eyes. Frank moans at the sight and reaches out to wrap his fingers around Gerard, tugging hard.

“Fuck! Frank yeah, fuck!” Gerard near whines as Frank continues to jerk him off, their hips still smashing together as he pulls himself off and slams his hips back down, Frank’s dick hitting his prostate at just the right angle.

“So gorgeous.” Frank spits out in between a moan and Gerard smiles, crooked and beautiful and Frank doesn’t think he can hold out much longer, not with the tightness and the damn heat around his cock.

“Yeah, Frank,” Gerard stutters and his voice is starting to fail him. He’s going to come and “Frank, harder damn, harder!” Gerard speaks in a demanding voice and with that, Frank near growls and grabs Gerard’s hips, pushing him off of him and rolling them around. Gerard’s on his back with his legs in the air before he can even complain and Frank pushes back in to him, fucking him so hard he really won’t be able to sit down for work next week. Gerard’s thrashing his head across the bed, hips thrusting and skin ablaze and Frank’s got his hand on his dick and jerking him.

“M’gonna come Frank. Fuck! Make me come. Make me.” Gerard pushes the words from his throat and Frank’s ready, so ready to make his boyfriend come and as he drives in, hard and for the last time as Gerard spills over his hand, hot jets of come filling Frank’s hand and dripping down between his fingers. Gerard moans through his orgasm, pushing his hips forward and as Frank feels Gerard closing in around him, tight and hot he comes too, thrusting through his orgasm before collapsing.

It takes a minute before Frank can actually muster the energy to pull out of Gerard and as he does they both whine. He repeats his actions with the condom, tying a knot and tossing it across the bed and on to the floor, presuming it’s with the other from last night. He then crawls over Gerard’s body and lays next to him, draping an arm around him and pulling him in close.

“How the fuck did I meet somebody so amazing?” Frank asks as he wipes Gerard’s forehead, sweat collecting on his hands. Gerard smiles, all crooked teeth and lips and Frank is absolutely smitten. Completely and utterly smitten.

“You have my ass of a brother to thank for that.” Gerard smiles but secretly, he’s so happy that Mikey had dragged him to the aquarium that day.

“I’ll remember to thank him next time I see him.”

Gerard snorts. “For bringing me along and inducing amazing sex, or for introducing us anyway?”

Frank smiles as he pushes Gerard’s damp hair away from his face again, stand by strand.

“Both. But more importantly, for introducing me to such an amazing man.” Frank smiles and Gerard’s heart swells, tight in his chest and fuck. He’s absolutely besotted with Frank.


-

“So we’re watching season two now?” Gerard asks as Frank switches the TV on. He’s still sat in bed, naked under the covers and probably has the most awesome view in the world as Frank bends down to pluck season two of Torchwood from his DVD rack. Frank’s still completely naked too, and looks gorgeous stood at the end of the bed.

Frank nods. “Yeah, season two. Captain Jack’s been away, remember?” And honestly no, Gerard can’t remember because if he’s being totally honest with himself, he can’t remember much about the entire series because he’s spent most of his time looking at Frank.

“Yeah, went away...” Gerard agrees and Frank turns around, hands on his hips and fuck, he looks stunning. Gerard licks his lips. “Yeah, away...” He concludes and lets his eyes wander down past Frank’s beautiful hips and to his crotch.

Frank shakes his head and raises his eyebrows. “Is this all you want me for, hm?” He asks and Gerard is still staring. Frank laughs a little at him before turning around and pressing play on the remote. He keeps the remote in his hand before moving over to the side of his room and to the large fish tank. The filter is trickling as usual and Frank picks the food up and drops a few flakes in to the water before heading back over to the bed. He climbs back under the covers and Gerard grabs him, pulling him in to his body and wrapping his arms around his torso.

“We’re meant to be watching the TV, Gerard.” Frank speaks and tries to keep his voice firm and full of authority.

Gerard grins and leans in to peck Frank’s lips. “I know, besides, I don’t think my dick has the energy to do much right now.”
Frank laughs but nods his agree. “Tell me about it, my dick is in shock right now. Never thought it’d get this much action.”

Gerard laughs again, all crooked teeth and leans in to press a kiss firm against Frank’s lips again.

“Torchwood.” Gerard reminds and Frank nods and turns his attention to the screen at the end of the bed.

“Yeah, Torchwood...”


-

Frank thanks his lucky stars on Monday morning because, fuck yeah, he’s on the afternoon shift at the aquarium. Gerard manages to get the morning off too, and it’s the perfect end to the perfect weekend.

“You spending the night at home tonight?” Frank asks as he shoves his last mouthful of toast to his mouth and chews loudly.

Gerard smiles over to him as he runs around the house pulling together his belongings that somehow, end up all over the place. “Yeah, I’m gonna spend the night with Mikes.”

Frank smiles and nods and he knows Gerard hasn’t seen his brother in a few days and that he actually still lives with him but it doesn’t stop that pang of sadness in Frank’s stomach from appearing.

“Sounds good.” Frank agrees and Gerard looks over to him before walking from the living room to the kitchen. He stops in front of Frank and wraps his arms around his middle, pulling him in so that their middles are touching.

Frank sighs. “I’ll clean the house, or something.”

Gerard laughs and looks around at the near spotless living room and kitchen. “Babe, it’s pretty much spotless in here.”

Frank laughs and stretches his arms out and around Gerard’s neck. “Yeah, I know. But it makes me think I’ve got something to do later on.”

Gerard frowns. “I don’t exactly want to spend the night alone in bed, but I have to make the effort to see Mikes.”

Frank nods but lets his head fall against Gerard’s chest. “Ugh.” Frank starts before kissing at the material covering Gerard’s skin. “I didn’t even think about sleeping alone. Fuck! How boring is that?”

Gerard laughs and kisses the top of Frank’s head. “Yeah, but I’ll be thinking of you.”

Frank pulls back to wiggle his eyebrows for a second before smirking. “Thinking of me, hmm?” He laughs as Gerard is lost for words for a second.

“Frank... you know what I meant!” Gerard laughs before swooping down to kiss Frank. He sighs as he feels Frank’s tongue at the edge of his lips and opens up, wide enough to let Frank’s tongue brush against his, warm and smooth and fuck, how is he going to go a few days without this?

“You coming to meet me for lunch tomorrow?” Frank asks hopeful as they pull away from the kiss, Gerard leaning down again to peck Frank’s lips once more. He nods and Frank grins. “Awesome, canteen okay?” Gerard nods again and leans down to trap Frank’s lips with his own again, sneaking the tip of his tongue out a little to brush against Frank’s bitten skin.

-

“So I was thinking...” Frank starts and he’s not quite sure just how to go about asking Gerard, but he bites the bullet and starts talking as they’re sprawled out on Gerard’s bed. Mikey’s away at Ray’s for the weekend and Frank thought it would be a good idea for them to spend the time at Gerard’s house for a change. Frank’s resting his head on Gerard’s chest, warm and comfy.

“Hmm?” Gerard asks as he strokes at Frank’s hair, his fingers rubbing at the black strands.

“The aquarium is having a day where the public can pay to swim with a few species of fish.” Frank continues and Gerard keeps pulling at strands of Frank’s hair and he decides that’s a good sign, he’s not stopped his motions and refused to even hear Frank’s plan. “I was thinking that maybe, to help you with your fear, we could swim?” Frank says slowly and in a tone that is totally not pushy or controlling.

He feels Gerard hum under his ear that is resting on his chest and he leans up to place a kiss on his collar bone.

“I need more info. Carry on...” Gerard states and Frank smiles before kissing at the exposed skin again.

“It’s a pool we have at the centre. It’s like, circular?” Frank describes the best he can and Gerard nods, listening. “We transfer some of our sting rays from their tanks to the pool, so people can get a chance to feed them in the tank?”

Gerard nods. “I’ll do it.” He nods and Frank sits up with a shocked expression on his face.

“You’ll do it? Just like that?” Frank asks, disbelieving.

Gerard nods again. “I trust you.” Gerard sits up slowly and leans in to kiss Frank gently on the lips and then again on the cheek. Frank hums in satisfaction.

“Really? You don’t have to. It was just an idea?” Frank adds again but Gerard shakes his head.

“No, it’ll be good for me, right?” Gerard half tells himself, half asks.

Frank smiles and nods before leaning over and kissing at Gerard’s lips, soft and slow and safe.


-

A few days have passed and this exact moment has been toying with Gerard, playing on his mind over and over on repeat, like he’s lost the remote or the batteries have run dry. Gerard’s stood in a damn wetsuit, next to a pool looking absolutely terrified.

Frank’s stood next to him and thankfully, he’s managed to grab half an hour where the pool is vacant apart from the pair of them. He figured Gerard would be a lot more relaxed if they were alone, just in case he freaked.

“You ready, Gee?” Frank asks as he takes his boyfriend’s hand and laces their fingers together.

Gerard’s still staring at the large sting rays that are swimming around in the pool.

Frank squeezes his fingers a little to gain his attention and when his head snaps round, he nods. “Y-yeah. Fuck.”

“You don’t have to do this, remember that babe.” Frank speaks, stern and voice full of concern.

Gerard nods again. “I can do this. I – fuck!” He gasps as he moves closer to the pool, slowly letting his feet nearer the water. When he does reach the top step he stops and looks around at Frank watching him.

“You can do this…” Frank encourages and Gerard nods again before holding out his hand for Frank to hold again. He walks forward and takes Gerard’s hand before they start to step slowly in to the pool.

Gerard gasps when he feels the first wave of water hit his legs. It’s cold, of course it’s cold because there are damn sting rays in the pool. He quickly throws those thoughts out of his head though, and turns to Frank who is just next to him, still holding his hands and takes a deep breath. They walk a little further until they’re down the steps and the water is up to their hips. Gerard takes another long and deep breath and Frank squeezes his hand again, just to let him know he’s there.

“You okay, babe?” Frank asks and Gerard nods, breathing loudly through his nose and out through his mouth. “You’re doing so well, Gee.” Frank adds as they walk the extra few steps in to the water and to the middle of the pool, surrounded by the stingrays.

“Frank…” Gerard whispers as he watches with wide eyes as the stingrays swim around his feet, most flattening themselves against the bottom of the pool.

“Remember what I told you, stay as still as you can.” Frank instructs and Gerard nods, slow with his eyes still wide. “You can do this, you know you can.” He encourages.

Gerard simply stares at him again. They’re still holding hands and he’s thankful that Frank is still stood by him, not roaming a little further or pushing his goggles and snorkel across his face and swimming under the water with the rays. Instead Frank has promised to stay with Gerard and not disappear under the water where Gerard is convinced Frank will be eaten.

“You think you’re okay to feed them?” Frank asks as he turns his head around to glance at the bucket of shrimp next to the steps.

In all honesty, Gerard’s still trying to breathe properly. This is huge. Being in a large body of water is bad enough and of course, triumph enough – but having stingrays thrown in to that mix, Gerard is in his right mind to think of himself as damn brave.

“I-yeah, feed them?” Gerard asks and the feel of the water on his body is really starting to freak him out. It’s like being in a bath, but a fuckin’ huge one with creatures. Creatures. Gerard shivers.

“Yeah, remember when you put your hand in that time and fed them? Just like that.” Frank reminds him and Gerard nods, remembering having to make his hand in to a cone for the ray’s to suck the food from.

“Yeah, yeah. Can do that, right?” Gerard half tells himself, half asks and Frank nods, a large smile tugging across his features.

“Course you can. Now, I’m just gonna walk back, just a little to get the food. You okay here?” Frank explains and Gerard panics a little. He nods though, and watches Frank as he wades back in the water, slowly and soft and careful not to bump a stingray.

Frank grabs two handfuls of food and moves back to the point where Gerard is standing. He holds his hand out and Gerard takes it, licking his lips and swallowing as he does, trying to rid his throat and mouth of that awful dry feeling.
Frank makes a cone with his hand and Gerard stares over, slowly copying his actions.

“I’ll go first, alright?” Frank lowers his hand down to the water and under, still in its cone like shape.

Gerard watches as the few stingrays in the pool swim over and swim across Frank’s hand, slurping the food from his skin. He laughs as they swim past.

“Tickles!” Frank giggles again as another ray comes up to steal a few pieces of food.

Gerard smiles at the sound of Frank’s gorgeous giggle and slowly starts to think that this might not be so bad at all, because he trusts Frank, completely.

“My turn?” Gerard asks as he looks down at the pile of food in his shaped hand. Frank nods and smiles and as he does, Gerard moves his hand towards the water. His actions are a lot slower than Frank’s, but he’s doing good as his hand slides under the water and a ray starts to swim towards him.

Frank stays quiet and still and watches as the creature sucks the food from his boyfriend’s hand, carefully studying his expressions for any signs of discomfort or if he’s about to freak out. Nothing happens though, and Frank is surprised to see a small grin across Gerard’s face as the stingray sucks the food and tickles at his skin, Gerard’s nose scrunching up and a small giggle escaping his throat.

The food is soon gone from their hands and Frank turns to Gerard and motions towards the steps of the pool. “You ready to get out?” He asks, smiling warm and proud.

“Yeah, you good to go?” Gerard grins back. Frank nods and holds his hand out for him to take. They lace their fingers together gently and slowly start to push back against the water, slowly moving towards the steps.

As they exit the pool Gerard turns around to look at the water, seeing the stingrays swimming around. He lets out a large, long breath and grins to himself. Fuck yes did he actually just stand in pool, a pool and feed marine life.

Frank starts walking towards the dressing rooms before noticing Gerard standing at the side of the pool still. He walks over and slowly slips his hands across the small of his boyfriend’s back before placing his arms around Gerard’s middle. He kisses at the skin that’s covered by the thick wetsuit and smiles against his back.

“I’m so proud of you, Gee.” Frank offers and Gerard’s grin grows wider.

“Me too. Fuck, I did it Frank, like, I actually did it!” Gerard repeats, realization actually starting to set in, the knots in his stomach starting to unravel and loosen.

“You did, gorgeous.” Frank smiles again and lets a hand slip from Gerard’s waist and down, cupping the curve of his ass and squeezing. “Come on you, I want to get you home.” Frank speaks and stands on his tiptoes so his breath ghosts against Gerard’s wet neck.

Gerard smiles and leans back into Frank’s touch. “Mm, why?” He asks, already knowing the probable answer.

Frank squeezes Gerard’s ass again and whispers gently, “Because you look absolutely fuckable in that wetsuit.” He pulls away after whispering and slaps at Gerard’s ass before grabbing him by the hand and dragging him to the dressing rooms.

They make out, all sloppy tongues and teeth in the dressing rooms, against the cubicle wall. Their wetsuits are unzipped and pushed down to their hips, wet chests sliding against one another. With a few short pecks, Frank pulls back and pushes the rest of his suit off before toweling down and putting his clothes back on. Gerard’s still pushed against the wall, flushed and stupidly happy and so damn proud of what he’s just achieved.

-

It’s decided that since Gerard did so well with the pool, he’s staying at Frank’s to celebrate. They both have work in the morning but Frank convinced his boyfriend that he could call in sick for just one day. Frank’s got the day off himself because he’s agreed to work Saturday, so for the next twenty four hours, neither are moving from leaving the house.

Gerard remembers to text Mikey, because he knows the drill if he forgets.

Mikes! Staying at Frank’s tonight, hope you and Ray are good. Oh, and I swam with stingrays today! Proud? X

We’re good, about to have sex in your bed cause you never use it these days! I kid, we’re not. My bed’s good… You WHAT now? x

Gerard half grimaces, half grins as he texts back.

Swam with stingrays, in a pool!

Who are you and what have you done with pussy Gerard?!

Gerard scoffs and replies with a smiley face and a kiss before setting his phone to vibrate and placing in on the side of couch.

“Texting Mikey?” Frank asks as he places a hand on Gerard’s thigh.

“Yeah, letting him know I’m staying. He said he and Ray are going to fuck in my bed…” Gerard replies with his nose all scrunched up in protest.

“Ew. We’ll just have to make a date with your room sometime next week, hmm?” Frank smirks and squeezes Gerard’s thigh. He grins and pushes himself up against Frank’s touch.

“I smell like you.” Gerard suddenly says, and Frank laughs as he smooths his hand across his thigh.

“You mean of salt water?”

Gerard nods. “Yeah, your hair always smells of salty water. Reminds me of the sea.”

“We could take a shower together?” Frank suggests, and Gerard looks up licking his lips.

“I’d like that…” He adds, before standing up from the couch and pulling Frank with him towards the bathroom.


-

Frank’s now looking between the bath and Gerard, who is stood in his boxers by the bathroom door, looking quite sheepish.

“Really?” Frank asks again, eyes narrow and trying to read Gerard’s face a little better.

He nods. “Yeah, I want to try and bathe.” Gerard looks over to the bath and takes a deep breath.

Frank furrows his brows. “Did that salt water damage your brain or something?” He asks and Gerard scowls.

“No, it just made me realize how irrational my fear is.”

Frank walks from where he’s stood at the sink towards Gerard. He stands close to him, hand on his bare chest. “You don’t have anything to prove, Gee.” He explains but Gerard shakes his head.

“No, I want to. With you.”

Frank nods. “Okay, if you’re sure?”

“Yeah, I- can-” Gerard sighs and looks over towards the bath again before resting his head on Frank’s shoulder. “Can we sit in it without any water, at first?” He asks, embarrassment lacing his muffled voice against Frank’s skin.

Frank wraps his arms around Gerard and strokes his back slow and soft, comforting circles around his spine and then up to his neck. “Of course, babe. Then we can add the water slowly, right?”

“Yeah, we can do that…”

Frank nods and leans forward to kiss Gerard’s nose. He then moves around to grab a few fluffy towels from the cupboard and places them on the closed toilet lid.

“You want me behind you?” Frank asks before climbing in to the bath and standing there in his underwear.

Gerard laughs a little and nods. “Yeah, little spoon, right?” He asks because if he keeps this light, he’s got nothing to worry about. Frank’s right here, protecting him and if he’s got his arms around Gerard’s stomach, he’s bound to feel even safer.

Frank smiles and turns to sit down in the empty bath. Once he’s positioned, Gerard nears the bath and steps in, standing up before turning around and slowly lowering his body down. He shuffles closer and sits between Frank’s legs and lowers his back towards his chest, sighing as their skin meets.

Frank brings his hands around and starts to brush his fingers against the side of Gerard’s stomach. “This is different…” Frank states and laughs a little and Gerard shivers at how close his mouth is to his ear.

“Sorry, I’m such a loser…” Gerard offers but Frank moves his hand up his chest quickly to tweak his nipple. He squirms and makes a high pitched noise from the back of his throat.

“You’re not a loser. You’re gorgeous and brave…” Frank insists as he kisses the side of Gerard’s neck. “And caring and sexy…” He speaks again, lips crushing against the skin that cover’s Gerard’s pulse.

“Mmm.”

They sit in the empty bath for another ten minutes or so before Gerard turns back to look at Frank. “I think we should add a little water now…”

Frank leans forward to kiss his lips softly. “Sure, stand up so we can take our boxers off?”

Gerard stands up quickly, pulling his boxers from his hips and kicks them off over the bath and on to the floor.

Frank laughs. (“Sexy!”) before doing the same with his own underwear.

They sit back down with Frank at the back of the bath again and Gerard pressed against his stomach. He leans forward to turn the tap on and as water slowly starts to dribble from it, Gerard takes a deep breath and leans back against Frank again. The bath starts to fill with water slowly and as Gerard’s chest starts to rise and fall a little quicker Frank quickly places his lips against his neck and starts to kiss the skin, biting softly every few pecks.

“You good?” Frank asks against Gerard’s neck.

“Yeah, good,” Gerard replies as he watches the water starting to cover his legs.

They let the water reach their hips before turning the it off. Gerard doesn’t add any bubble bath because he’s adamant that he has to be able to see the bottom of the bath and Frank only smiles and nods.

“This kinda feels nice, y’know…” Gerard speaks and his voice vibrates off of the bathroom tiles, sounding tinny.

Frank picks the soap from the side of the bath and dunks it under the water before lathering it in his hand and placing it against Gerard’s back. He sighs in to the touch as Frank continues to rub soap across the skin. As he settles the soap back down he starts to smooth the soap out against Gerard’s pale skin, rubbing in soothing circles until he cups at the water and dribbles it down to wash the lather away.

Slowly, Frank moves his hand from Gerard’s back to his stomach. He washes the skin in firm circles, smoothing his hand flat against his chest before letting his hand slip lower. He starts to rub at Gerard’s thighs, palm flat and soft against the skin and he leans in to the touch, pressing his back against Frank’s chest as his hands near his dick. Gerard’s breath hitches as Frank strokes over his groin, brushing against the head of his now quickly-growing erection.

Carefully, Frank takes a hold of Gerard’s dick and softly starts to rub, thumbing the head a few times before moving his hand up and down in solid motions. Gerard moans and tips his head back a little, the feeling of warm water brushing against the backs of his thighs and balls adding to the sensation of Frank slowly jacking him.

As he speeds his motions a little Gerard can feel Frank’s own hard dick pressing against his back and he moans, pressing his ass against it a little.

“Fuck - yeah…” Gerard breathes as Frank’s thumbing the head again, firm with just the right amount of pressure, and it feels amazing.

Frank starts to move his hand quicker again, up and down his shaft. He’s careful that when he moves his hand down towards the base he loosens his grip a little to brush the tips of his fingers against Gerard’s balls, stroking gently before stroking him again. The feel of Frank’s soapy fingers against his dick and his lips on his throat is becoming too much and as Gerard bucks up against his boyfriend’s touch, the water from the bath caressing his balls and ass again, Gerard groans loud and it’s only a few more strokes before he’s coming in short spurts, covering Frank’s hand and his chest.

Frank lets Gerard soften in his hand before letting him go, dipping his hand in the bath water to clean off the come. He takes the soap again and rubs it against Gerard’s stomach, the white later mixing with the white blobs of come across his torso.
“Thank you.” Gerard whispers between shallow breaths.

Frank kisses at the wet skin on Gerard’s back before running a hand through Gerard’s hair. “Want me to wash your hair?” He asks and Gerard hums in acceptance, his chest still rising and falling a little quicker than usual.

“Mmm, sounds nice,” he croaks, his throat dry and scratchy.

Frank washes Gerard’s hair gently, using the water from the bath. He’s fully aware that there’s come mixed in with the water he’s using to ‘clean’ his hair, but he doesn’t care. Frank massages Gerard’s scalp gently and rinses the soap out before reaching over and pulling the plug from the bath. Soon, they’re sat in an empty bath again.

As they move from the tub and grab a towel Gerard notices Frank’s still hard. He smirks and takes a hold of his hips before pushing him back against the wall. His head hits the wall and as he sees Gerard sink to his knees on the bathroom floor he moans long and loud, the sound vibrating off of the tiled walls.

Gerard gets to work quickly, holding Frank’s erection by the base and covering the head with his lips. He seals his mouth, hollowing his cheeks before slowing letting his lips sink down, taking Frank’s dick in his mouth further until he reaches where his knuckles are holding him at the base. He flattens his tongue against the underside and licks a little before slowly bringing his head back up. He repeats his actions a good few more times, long and slow motions before he pulls off and starts to jack Frank quickly.

He looks up to see Frank’s head pressed against the wall, the side of his face against the tiles staring down. They make eye contact and Frank moans.

“Fuck, fuck-Gerard!” He whispers as Gerard alternates the pressure on Frank’s dick, soft and slow then hard and fast, thumbing around the head and the slit and fuck, Frank’s legs are starting to tremble.

When Gerard lowers his mouth back down on to Frank and uses his spare hand that isn’t on the base, to fondle at his balls, Frank’s so close.

“Gee, please, yeah-yeah…” He babbles as his hips start to thrust forward, thighs shaking and toes curling against the laminate flooring.

Gerard hollows his cheeks against and hums a little around Frank as he softly gropes at his balls before moving a hand to cup his ass. He squeezes and hums a little more before Frank’s coming hard, right down his throat with his hips bucking forward. Gerard pulls off a moment later and wipes the excess spit and come from his lips on the back of his hand. Frank’s looking down at him, pupils blown and a crooked grin across his face.

“Best day ever…” Frank pants and as Gerard smiles up at him, he has to agree.

-


After phoning in sick, Gerard had to leave for work the next day. He claimed he had a stomach bug which only lasted twenty four hours, and now he’s stuck in the office, staring at his laptop screen and wishing he was with Frank.

As he picks up his coffee mug and takes a long gulp his cell vibrates against his desk.

Frank: Miss you. Xo

Gerard smiles and sets his coffee cup down before tapping back his reply.

Miss you too, babe. See you tonight?

Frank: Course, you staying? Checked the weather, cold tonight, you need to keep me warm!

Gerard grins, all crooked small teeth and lets his fingers drum against the desk before texting back.

Cold? Only one thing for it…naked cuddling! You know, body heat and all? ;)

Frank: Can’t wait. Love you. Xo

Love you too xo

As soon as Gerard sets his cell back down on to the desk his phone vibrates again, loud against the wood.

Mikey: Cooking for you and Frank tomorrow. Come home for 7!

Gerard eyes the text suspiciously. Mikey, cooking? Really?

You’re cooking? What?

Mikey: Yes, be there at 7 fucker, don’t be late!?

Food poisoning on a plate? Can’t wait!

Mikey: Fucker. I’ll make sure to find some baby pictures…

You wouldn’t dare, remember I have yours too…

-



“So Mikey wants to cook for us…” Gerard speaks his voice soft and slow as he and Frank are lay in bed, pushing his fingers through Frank’s hair as he lies on his chest.

Frank kisses the skin on his boyfriend’s chest before looking up a little. “Cook?”

Gerard laughs a little before kissing Frank’s head, stands of hair still between his fingers. “Yeah, I don’t know. Something about cooking, him and Ray.”

Frank nods and places small kisses against Gerard’s chest, reaching up to flick his tongue out against his neck. “Should be fun.”

Gerard hums and pulls the covers around their bodies a little more. “S’cold.”

“Told you. Thank god for naked cuddling, right?” Frank mumbles against Gerard’s skin.

“You’re warm, though. Your skin is forever warm.”

Frank hums and lets his eyes fall shut, the feel of Gerard raking his fingers through strands of hair sending him to sleep.

-
It’s just after seven as Frank and Gerard arrive for dinner. Frank didn’t finish work until gone six because of the female shark he takes care of. Frank had apparently been right about her being pregnant. In fact, they’d all missed the signs that she had been pregnant for over a year (because apparently, tiger sharks are pregnant for over twelve months, or at least Frank tells Gerard so) and they now have a baby shark to take care of. In line with the aquarium’s regulations, Frank has to close the shark tunnels off so that the mother can spend some time with her baby, quiet and human free for a few days.

Gerard had picked Frank up from work and had received a text telling him that he had to come in to toe aquarium. Confused, Gerard obeyed and walked to the shark enclosure, where he knew Frank would be. For some reason, the tunnels were shut off.

“Frank?” Gerard calls and his boyfriend appears a few seconds later, grin plastered across his face.

“You have to come see this, Gee!” Frank squeaks and grabs Gerard by the wrist, tugging him past the no entry signs on the tunnels. Gerard still feels uncomfortable surrounded by water and not-so-thick glass. Frank drags him to the middle of the tunnel and places him right in front of a shark. Gerard inches back a little before Frank puts his arms around his middle.

“It’s a shark…?” Gerard asks, confused. He’s seen the shark enough times before.

“Look a little closer, look beside her,” Frank whispers and squeezes Gerard’s middle.

He squints his eyes and stares a little harder before realizing there is something next to her. A baby shark.

“She had her baby?” Gerard asks, voice a little more excited now.

“Yeah! We weren’t even that sure she was pregnant!” Frank beams and kisses the back of Gerard’s neck.

“That’s so awesome!” Gerard smiles and turns around in Frank’s arms to kiss his boyfriend’s lips.


-

“So I walked down the tunnel to see if the glass needed cleaning and there she was!” Frank explains with a grin across his face. Gerard’s grinning with him too, because he loves it when Frank talks about his job with such passion. It’s something he’s never experienced before.

“You thought of any names?” Gerard asks, lacing their fingers together as they get out of the car and walk up the street to his house.

Frank shakes his head. “Not yet, the three of us at the shark enclosure are going to put a few names in a hat, then draw one. Fair that way.”

Gerard nods and strokes the skin on Frank’s thumb as he pulls his door keys out of his pocket with his other hand. He twists them in the door and is instantly met with the stench of curry.

They both look at each other with worried faces before walking inside and shutting the door. Goodbye fresh air, Frank thinks to himself.

“Mikes, what the fuck are you cooking?” Gerard shouts as he drops his bag down by the stairs, making a mental note to pack another with clean clothes before he stays at Frank’s again. There are only so many of Frank’s shirts he can steal.

Frank walks behind him and towards the kitchen door. “Mikes?!”

As Gerard opens the door he’s met with his brother, who is pressed against the fridge and Ray assaulting his neck, sucking on the skin as Mikey’s eyes are tightly shut. The food on the stove is spilling over the pan and the fire alarm is going to sound at any second.

“Mikey!” Gerard shouts and Ray snaps his head, taking at least five steps back.

“Sorry!” Mikey squeaks before flattening his shirt down across his chest and rushing over to the oven. He stirs what looks and smells like curry and grabs a cloth to clean the spilt food.

“And this is why I never trust you to cook!” Gerard walks forward and hugs his brother tight. “Moron…” He speaks before ruffling his brothers hair and walking over to Ray to grab him in a hug.

“Hey Ray, you do realize he can’t cook, right?” Gerard jokes and Ray nods but as Mikey turns around to scowl at his brother and boyfriend, Ray smiles sweetly across.

“You okay Frank?” Mikey asks as he stirs the food again, turning the heat down a little.

Frank nods. “Yeah, I’m good. Tired though.”

“Hard day?” Ray asks and Frank smiles and nods.

“Yeah, our shark had a baby today, one we didn’t even know she was expecting…”

Ray and Mikey grin. “That’s awesome!” Mikey starts before looking at Frank. “You so have to name it Jaws!”

Frank rolls his eyes. “I can’t name a baby shark Jaws, Mikey!”

Mikey scoffs and turns the heat of the cooker off. “Why not?”

“Bit cruel, don’t you think?” Gerard comments and Frank nods, laughing still.

“I think it’s a good name, sweetie.” Ray pipes up and Mikey turns to him to grin.

“He just wants to get laid tonight.” Gerard comments and Ray nods.

“Pretty much!”

Gerard scrunches up his nose and walks from the kitchen, kissing Frank on the way and muttering something about going to burn his bed sheets.

Dinner is actually surprisingly good and Gerard even helps himself to seconds. It’s not burnt like he thought it would be and Mikey’s made it at just the right spice level. Sitting back and popping his slacks button open, Gerard sighs.

“That, was gorgeous.” He pats his stomach and Mikey pulls a face.

“Put your stomach away, Jesus!”

“I was paying you a compliment!” Gerard shouts back before patting at his stomach again.

Frank and Ray sit there with a loose smile on their faces, both obviously thinking what the hell have they gotten themselves in to?

-

Mikey’s staying with Ray for the night and conveniently left the dishes for Frank and Gerard to conquer. They do them together, though, Gerard washing and Frank drying and putting them away, and soon enough, they’re lying on the couch in Gerard’s living room, absent-mindedly flicking through the channels. Frank’s got the remote and Gerard’s lying down, the shorter man in his lap, back against his chest.

He finally settles on the animal planet where a documentary about penguins is on. Frank grins and nuzzles in against Gerard’s stomach, pushing his face against his body and humming his acceptance of just how comfortable he is. They watch the program in silence, learning all about penguins, including their love lives. It’s when channel goes off air for the night they both realize just how late it’s become.

As Frank switches off the TV, he turns around and crawls up Gerard’s chest, stopping when he reaches his face. He leans in and kisses his boyfriend’s lips, soft and slow before moving back a little, but making sure that their lips are still touching.

“I love you.” Frank speaks, soft but firm against Gerard’s lips.

He smiles up. “I love you too.”

Frank kisses at his lips again, gently licking at Gerard’s bottom lip before extending his tongue to lick around his boyfriend’s mouth. After a few moments he pulls back and pecks his lips again.

“I think you might be my penguin…” Frank suddenly says and his heart starts to beat a little quicker because apparently, calling somebody your penguin is much more nerve wracking than telling them you love them.

Gerard looks up, a little confused.

“Your what?” He asks, his voice soft.

Frank blushes a little and looks down at Gerard’s chest, his fingers toying with the hem of his shirt.

“You’re my penguin. Remember me telling you they find that one special person?” Frank asks and his cheeks flush pink again. Gerard nods and leans up to kiss Frank’s lips. “Well, I think you’re my penguin. They find somebody they love….” He continues before biting his lip and preparing to explain the last part. “and mate for life.” He concludes and his face is pink still. He’s chewing on his lip nervously and looks completely fuckin’ adorable to Gerard.

Gerard reaches out and pushes his hands through Frank’s hair before pulling him down for a slow and loving kiss, their lips soft and wet against one another’s. When they pull back, noses and lips still brushing together Gerard speaks,

“Well, in that case…” He begins and kisses Frank’s lips again. “I think you might be my penguin too…”



Epilogue:

Ten months later.

When Frank’s friend Nicky emails him and offers for the pair of them to fly out to Australia for a vacation on the barrier reef, how is Gerard meant to say no to that? He’s very much aware that Frank’s wanted to see the barrier reef and vacation there for pretty much his entire life, and now he has the opportunity to do so.

Gerard found the email in Frank’s deleted messages on his open laptop. He couldn’t help but look, and when he saw that his friend was offering the most amazing vacation for a cut of the price, he knew that they had to go.

“Baby, why did I find this in your deleted emails?” Gerard asks and presses the print out of the email across Frank’s kitchen counter. Frank stops what he’s doing (making coffee) and looks at Gerard with a strange expression.

“Why were you looking at my emails?” Frank asks, voice calm and collected but Gerard’s a little nervous now.

“I just, you left it open and I was going to use it to check that new movie out, remember?” Gerard licks his lips.

Frank nods and glances across at the email before going back to making a pot of coffee.

“I think we should go…” Gerard presses the matter and Frank stares back at him again, blank expression.

“I can’t fly, Gerard. You know that.” Frank sighs and his cheeks tint a little pink. How embarrassing.

“Baby, I’ll be there with you. I mean, I know it’s a long flight but…” Gerard moves now so that he’s stood behind Frank, and wraps his arms around his boyfriend’s middle. He strokes at the skin through his work shirt and Frank sighs, resting his head back against Gerard’s shoulder.

“I’m scared.” Frank admits and Gerard tightens his arms a little more.

“I know, but I’ll be there with you, all the time.”

Frank sighs, taking a deep breath in before exhaling. “I’ll email Nicky later and let him know we’re interested. He wanted us there in a few weeks. ”

“Yeah, that’s fine.” Gerard kisses at Frank’s cheek before whispering in his ear. “I love you.”

Frank grins but his stomach is bubbling. “Love you too.”

-


If Frank asks Gerard if he’s packed one more thing before they board, he promises that he will turn around and leave Frank to fly on his own. Since the taxi picked Gerard up from his house and Frank had jumped from the car, flapping and flustering and panicking if Gerard had packed all he needed, the holiday somehow started to feel a little like a prison sentence.

“And did you remem-” Frank tries to speak but is cut by Gerard’s hand in his face, finger pointing right between his eyes. Frank gulps and nods before slumping back down in his chair.

Gerard’s angry face soon softens and turns towards Frank, who’s sitting next to him at the departure gate at JFK airport. “I know you’re scared, baby…” Gerard offers a hand to brush Frank’s hair from his eyes. “But you have to stop. Everything is going to be fine!” He smiles and Frank looks up at him, eyes wide.

Frank licks his lips and nods. “I’m just scared…” He moves a little and rests his head against Gerard’s shoulder before letting his eyes slip closed.

Gerard sighs and wraps his arm around Frank’s middle. “I know. But everything is going to be fine. We’re going to have the best time, okay?” Gerard leans down to kiss at Frank’s hair. He feels his boyfriend nod against his lips. “Good. Now kiss me.” He demands and feels Frank giggle before he moves his head from Gerard’s shoulder, leaning up to press their lips together. It’s slow and careful and as Gerard pushes a hand through Frank’s hair he lets his tongue slip from his mouth, brushing against his boyfriend’s lips for a second before pulling back. He keeps their faces close.

“I would never let anything happen to you.” Gerard whispers before pecking at Frank’s lips. “Nothing bad is going to happen.” He concludes and Frank nods. They kiss again for a moment, soft and innocent and comforting. As they pull back they hear their flight number being called. Frank takes a deep breath and smiles at Gerard because he can do this. He can so do this.

-


“How long left?” Frank asks as he pushes his head back in to his seat, wanting to be back on firm ground as soon as possible.

Gerard laughs and squeezes Frank’s hand. “Babe, we only just took off…”

Frank sighs and closes his eyes. He knew there was a reason he’d never pursued his dreams of travelling before. This was going to be the longest and hardest nineteen hours of his life.

“Why don’t you try and sleep?” Gerard suggests, reaching out to stroke at Frank’s dark hair before letting his finger slip to the bridge of his nose. He strokes gently and Frank sighs and hums.

“Yeah…”

Gerard smiles and keeps stroking the bridge his boyfriend's nose until he sees Frank’s chest rising and falling slowly. He moves his finger away as soft as possible and then rests his hand on Frank’s knee. Frank jumps a little every time the plane drops but he soon settles again as Gerard brushes his fingers against his thigh.

-

The flight is long and Gerard is pretty sure it’s never ending, but as the seatbelt lights flicker on again and he feels his stomach drop, mimicking the plane, he knows they’re getting ready for landing. Frank had fallen back to sleep after he ate, and is still pressed against Gerard’s neck. His breath is hot and tickling the skin but Gerard doesn’t mind. He does know that he needs to wake his boyfriend for landing.

“Baby…” He whispers against Frank’s cheek as he slowly eases him off of his shoulder and on to the headrest. Frank scrunches his face a little before letting his eyes flicker open, looking around before groaning and closing his eyes.

“We still on this thing?” Frank croaks out and feels Gerard squeezing his thigh.

“Sorry baby, but we’re getting ready to land now…” Gerard strokes at Frank’s thigh and he opens his eyes, looking a little more relieved now.

“I hate landing.” Frank mumbles and Gerard nods. “Why did you wake me?” His face falls a little and he scrunches his face up again. Gerard sighs as he watches Frank pout.

“You can’t sleep through landing, sweetie.” Gerard moves his hand from Frank’s thigh and to his stomach. He checks his boyfriend’s seatbelt a little and then begins to stroke the skin under the bunched up shirt. Frank sighs a little and relaxes in to the touch.

As the plane starts to drop a little more a sound echoes throughout the cabin and the pilot’s voice is heard.

Hello ladies and gentlemen, please be aware that we’re on our decent in to Lizard Island. Because this is a small and remote island, please remember our landing will be fairly windy and will be slightly bumpy. Please make sure you have your seatbelts tightened around your waist and to relax. Thank you, and behalf of all of us on this flight, have a fantastic holiday

Frank quickly snaps his head to Gerard, who starts to panic too, not because he’s scared of the upcoming landing, but thinking of how he is going to keep Frank calm and stable. He takes his boyfriend’s hand in his own and starts to slowly stroke the tanned skin covering his knuckles.

“It will be okay, I promise.” Gerard whispers and Frank nods, his eyes wide and glancing around the cabin. As Gerard squeezes Frank’s hand the plane starts to shake. Frank’s legs fly from the ground and he clutches at his stomach, the feeling of the plane shaking and dropping making him feel nauseous.

Gerard looks out of his window and bites at his lip. They’re approaching the runway fast, and the plane is still shaking. Frank is starting to fidget in his seat and the hand Gerard has of Frank’s is shaking. Gerard licks his lips and starts to think of what he can do to keep his boyfriend calm.

Talking.

Turning his head quickly he moves a hand up to Frank’s face and gently moves his chin so that he’s looking at him.

“Frankie, listen to me…” Gerard speaks with a firm but calm and comforting voice. Frank nods. “I’m going to hold your hand baby, and talk to you.”

The plane drops a little again and continues shaking, the plastic trays on the back of the seats in front of them starting to rattle. Frank’s eyes widen again and Gerard can tell he’s freaking out, he absolutely hates this and needs to calm down.

“Baby, look at me.” Gerard instructs and Frank locks his eyes on Gerard. He brings his face close to Frank’s and presses his lips against his ear.

“Just think about what we’re going to do tonight…” Gerard whispers and makes a mental note to check the volume of his voice. It’s not too high and thankfully there aren’t many people around them. “What are we going to do tonight, Frank?” He asks, hot breath tickling Frank’s ear. He gulps and whispers back,

“Start of holiday. Hotel.” He mumbles and Gerard nods.

“That’s right baby. You know what that means?” Gerard asks before slipping his tongue from his mouth to lick at the shell of Frank’s ear. “Means you get to fuck me…” Frank shivers again and nods quickly before Gerard continues. “You’re going to fuck me, Frankie. Hard, right in to that hotel bed.”

Gerard pulls back to quickly glance out of his window. They’re nearly on the runway. Just a few more words and their flight will be over. Gerard takes a deep breath, quickly looks around the cabin to make sure nobody can hear him and moves his lips back to Frank’s ear, letting his hand drop down on to the top of Frank’s thigh.

“Keep thinking of that, baby. Think about how you’re going to fuck me, right against that mattress.” Frank closes his eyes and leans his head against Gerard’s. “We’re going to have so much sex on this holiday Frank, fuck, did you see how much lube I packed?”

Frank lets out a strained laugh and nods a little as the plane wobbles again. Nearly there.

“Nearly there sweetie, nearly.” Gerard promises and thinks of something more to say to Frank. “You just keep thinking about tonight. Think about where you want me, okay? Your choice, you can fuck me anyway you want.” He promises again and just as Gerard finishes his sentence, the plane hits the runway, hard. Frank’s eyes widen and his head snaps back up, quickly glancing around the cabin. Gerard squeezes his thigh and shushes him quiet.

“All done, baby.” Gerard coos and Frank lets out the biggest sigh as he feels the plane slowing against the tarmac. “Frank, we’re here!”

Frank turns to Gerard and grins, wide. “Fuck.” He mumbles and picks Gerard’s hand from his thigh, squeezing. “Thank you, for keeping me calm.” He speaks before leaning forward and placing a dry kiss on Gerard’s lips.

“No problem.” He smiles and leans over to kiss at Frank’s cheek.

“I’m holding you to your promise though, tonight…” Frank grins and Gerard laughs.

“Anything you want, I promise.”


-


Gerard has never been too good with hot weather and the Australian island they’re staying on is by far the hottest environment he’s ever been in. As soon as they step off the plane Gerard is sweating. He knew to wear a thin t shirt and shorts but even in those, he feels like he’s boiling in his own skin, beads of sweat dripping down the back of his neck and on to his back. He’s sure this is how he’s going to die too, trapped in this heat and skin ever changing to a ruby red before he boils over and dies like a lobster.

“You don’t look so good…” Frank looks at Gerard with a worried look across his face. Gerard looks down at himself and shrugs.

“Hot.” Gerard mumbles and pulls at the collar of his shirt once again. He’s probably going to rip the material soon if he doesn’t stop but he couldn’t care less. He has a million other shirts with him and if it would mean he’d be a little cooler, ripping his shirt is just what he’s going to have to do.

“We’ll be at the apartments soon, not long now.” Frank motions towards the road they’re travelling down in the taxi and Gerard nods.

Not long to go.

Frank wasn’t lying when he said there wasn’t too long to wait until they reached their accommodation and no more than five minutes later, the taxi driver is pulling up to a large resort, right next to the blue ocean. It’s a remote little village and Gerard knows its right next to the barrier reef which is where Frank will be spending some of the days on their holiday. The village is made up of 40 luxurious suites and is surrounded by clear waters and creamy white sands. Usually, to stay in one of the apartments that they’re staying in, would cost just under a couple thousand a night but thanks to Frank’s work and a few close connections, they haven’t even paid that much for the entire of their week stay.

As they climb from the taxi and pull their bags from the trunk Gerard sighs as he feels the heat beaming down on him, clinging to his jet black hair and making him feel as if he’s roasting. Frank comes up behind him after he’s got his case and kisses his cheek.

“You okay?” Frank asks as they start to walk towards the main reception house.

Gerard nods. “Yeah, just not used to this heat.”

Frank gives Gerard a sympathetic smile and uses his free hand to rub at the bottom of his back. “We’ll be in our apartment soon, and we have A/C!”

It’s not a very long process when they check in and thankfully Frank’s old work friend Nicky, is there to speed it all along. Frank hugs him when he sees him standing at the reception desk and exchange words on marine life Gerard’s sure would freak him out. Nicky slides around the desk and checks them in instead of the blonde haired woman sitting on her office chair looking far too warm. He hands Frank the key and tells him that if they need anything, just to shout and that they could have full use of any facilities, and to just ask him for the master keys. Frank high fives him across the counter and turns to face Gerard.

“Ready? We’re just a few apartments in that direction.” Frank motions towards the door of the reception and to the right. Gerard nods and can’t help but look at Frank’s adorable and excitable smile and feels the urge to kiss him, right there and until his lips are numb. Instead, he nods again and they start their short walk from the reception house and to their apartment.

For a tropical island, it’s pretty much what Gerard expected. It’s everything you see in brochures and on those TV commercials, the places that he never thought he’d actually see in person. As they walk up to their apartment pulling their cases along behind them, Gerard looks around at the scenery. Surrounding the village are tones of green, lush palm trees that are swaying ever so slightly in the light breeze. Across the road that they just drove down is the beach and right opposite are the wooden apartments. As they reach the forth in the line Frank swings the keys around his finger and grins back to Gerard.

“It’s so beautiful here, don’t you think?”

Gerard smiles all teeth and eyes and nods. “Yeah, it’s gorgeous.” He agrees as they walk up the ramp and to the front patio door of their apartment. Frank twists the keys in the lock and then slides the large door. As they enter the room they’re met with a large open plan kitchen.

“Fuck!” Frank all bust squeals and Gerard laughs, looking around the large kitchen, impressed. He follows Frank though, who keeps walking and passes through the kitchen and in to the large lounge. It’s all very open, most of the walls are actually made out of glass windows and the drapes are open, letting the hot sun flood the room. Against one of the cream coloured walls is a large bed. It’s covered in thin, blue sheets and the pillows look like something made out of Gerard’s dreams, fluffy and full and he is going to enjoy sleeping during this week, he’s sure. Opposite the bed is a blue couch and next to that is a large desk, complete with two very comfy looking chairs.

Frank places his case against the bed and Gerard follows, copying his actions. He sits down on the bed and sighs. Before he can say anything about being relieved to finally be there, he’s watching Frank walk over to the back patio doors and watches as he slides them open, revealing the largest hammock Gerard’s ever seen.

“Fuck, look at this hammock!” Frank calls out and Gerard laughs and pushes himself from the bed, knees creaking as he walks towards the patio doors. He stops and leans against the door as he watches Frank kick off his flip flops and haul himself in to the hammock. Gerard laughs as Frank nearly tips the fabric but steadies himself before tipping over.

“We’re going to have hammock sex, right?” Frank grins and Gerard rolls his eyes.

“Frank, have you seen what’s behind you?” Gerard asks, still smiling at his boyfriend. Frank furrows his brow and silently questions what it is behind him before slowly rolling off of the hammock and to his knees on the decking. Gerard bites his lip and tries not to laugh at Frank as he moves from his knees and on to his feet.

“Fuck!” Frank shouts and turns around quick to look at Gerard again. “We have a pool!” Frank laughs, not quite believing their luck. As it was discounted and arranged by Nicky, Frank and Gerard hadn’t really researched where they would actually be staying, only the island and what they would need to pack. He stares over at the large rectangular pool behind the hammock before turning around.

“You’re going to come in with me, right?” Frank asks as he walks towards Gerard who is still leaning against the door, pulling at the collar on his shirt again.

Gerard frowns. “I have to?”

Frank lets his hands wander down to the hem of Gerard’s thin shirt and pushes his fingertips up, taking the material with him and revealing Gerard’s pale stomach. He looks down at his boyfriend with a confused look but Frank only pushes the material further before urging Gerard to lift his arms, removing the piece of clothing completely.

Gerard laughs and Frank hums. “This was what I was looking forward to the most about this holiday…” Frank starts and lets his hands wander down the pale and warm skin across Gerard’s chest. He stops as his finger rests on one of his boyfriend’s nipples and tweaks gently, listening to Gerard gasp a little as he does. “Y’know, seeing you naked whenever I want.”

“Frank…” Gerard laughs but allows Frank continue to caress the skin around his other nipple now, the buds of skin hardening under his soft touch. “You get to see me naked whenever you want at home.”

Frank bites his lip and leans up to place a kiss against Gerard’s chin. “I know,” he begins to mumble against the skin and Gerard giggles a little, Frank’s breath smooth against his face. “But we don’t get to spend an entire week together at home…” Frank concludes before he places his palms against Gerard’s chest and pushes him from the door way and towards the bed with a smirk playing across his face.

“We’re not having sex now, are we?” Gerard asks, a small smile tugging at his lips and Frank’s face falls.

“Why not?” Frank whines and Gerard laughs as they fall against the bed, his back hitting the cool sheets and Frank promptly falling on to his chest. He makes a squeaking sound before moving his hands to pull at Frank’s shirt. He pulls the material over his head and tosses it to the side of the bed.

“I’m really warm, Frankie…” Gerard complains and Frank rolls his eyes.

“I’m pretty sure we’ve not checked out the shower yet?” Frank suggests and Gerard grins, licking his lips.

“Well I am really warm, a cool shower would be beneficial, right?”

Frank nods and jumps from the bed quickly, tugging Gerard’s hand and pulling him up with him. Once standing Frank pulls Gerard towards him by his waistband and unbuttons the shorts he’s wearing. He pushes them down his hips quickly, taking his thin cotton boxers with them until he’s stood in nothing but his flip flops.

“A man in nothing but flip flops…” Frank licks his lips and leans forward to dart his tongue across Gerard’s nipple again. “Only something that usually appears in my dreams.”

Gerard bites at his bottom lip as he listens to Frank speaking in a low and dirty tone he knows turns him on. He feels his dick twitch as his boyfriend leans over and swirls his tongue against his nipple again, biting down a little before stepping back to work at his own pants. He watches as Frank fumbles with the buttons on his shorts and pushes them down quickly with his underwear. He lets them fall to a heap on the floor and steps out of them, closing his fingers around Gerard’s wrist and dragging him towards what he hopes is the bathroom.

The door Frank thought was the bathroom is, and as they stumble in to the room they find the largest walk in shower in probably, all of existence. Frank pulls Gerard in to the room and pushes him in front of him, shoving him hard against the shower wall. Gerard shivers and lets his head hit the cool tiles and watches as Frank walks towards him. He reaches his hand out to twist at the dials on the side of the wall and watches as cool steams of water start to fall on to Gerard. He watches as his boyfriend moans in appreciation, his body finally starting to cool from the heat and stress of travelling.

“Better?” Frank asks as he walks a few more steps and closes the gap between them, chests pressing together and dicks ever so slightly touching. Gerard nods his head in agreement and watches as Frank lets his hand travel down to his half hard dick. He hisses as he feels Frank’s fingers brush against the swollen tip and tilts his head to the side as he closes his smooth hand around his dick, pumping a few times until Gerard is completely hard and weighty in his hand. With the cool streams of water beating down on his shoulders and head and Frank’s hand on his dick, pumping slow but firm and with teeth on his collar bone (and of course, the excitement of being away from home) Gerard doesn’t last very long. It only takes a few grazes of Frank’s teeth on his skin and a couple twists of his wrist, thumb pressing against the underside of his dick before he’s coming in to Frank’s hand, hot spurts of come mixing with the water that’s beating down on their skin.

Gerard licks his lips and turns his head to look at Frank, who instead of washing Gerard’s fluid from his hand, is licking it up. Gerard laughs airily and shakes his head against the tiled wall, panting.

“You’re unbelievable. ” He pants before grabbing Frank by his shoulders and turning them around, pressing Frank’s back against the cool wall. He hisses, skin prickling at the sudden coolness of the wall and gasps again as he feels Gerard close a firm fist around his hard on, jerking messy and quick and fuck, he’s going to come way too soon, and hard.

“Yeah, fuck, yeah, yeah!” Frank mutters as he lets his jaw fall slack and moves his head to look down at Gerard jacking him off, his smooth fingertips brushing against the swollen skin, knuckles curing around his cock and tugging fast and sloppy.

Frank comes a few minutes later with one last gasp, his body falling limp against Gerard who still has his hand wrapped around Frank’s now softening cock.

“Fuck.” Frank mumbles against Gerard’s wet shoulder and kisses as the skin gently. “First holiday sex…done.” He sighs and kisses at the moist skin again before he feels Gerard lower his arms that are wrapped around his middle and to Frank’s ass. He presses a finger against Frank’s hole just a little so that he can feel the pressure and whispers against Frank’s damp hair.

“We’re only just getting started, baby.” He claims and presses against Frank’s hole once more before pulling his hand away.

Frank giggles and pulls back from Gerard’s embrace. “This is going to be the best week, ever.”

Gerard beams and nods in agreement.


-

The rest of the day is spent adjusting to the heat. After they shower Frank opens his suit case and rummages through the piles of clothes until he finds his swimming trunks. He pulls them on quickly and grins over to Gerard who’s sat on the bed watching.

“Going for a dip?” Gerard asks with a loving smile across his face because being able to see Frank so comfortable and relaxed for a change, is amazing. He hates seeing Frank when he’s come home from a stressful day at work and he’s upset, face full of worry and muscles cramping from having spent most of his day cutting large chunks of meat and washing the glass tanks. Here though, he can see Frank relax. He can watch as he pads his way across the apartment and towards the pool. Frank’s face is a picture as he walks down the steps and in to the cool water and he looks over to Gerard and pulls a goofy face.

“Cold?” Gerard calls over to him and Frank nods as he lowers his body further in to the pool.

“Did you put lotion on?” Gerard motions towards the suit case where the tubes are and Frank throws his hands in the air.

“Fuck, no!” Frank sighs and looks towards Gerard with puppy dog eyes.

Gerard fakes a groan and smiles over to Frank as he moves himself off of the bed and to Frank’s case to collect the lotion. Once he’s got it in his hand he walks over to the patio doors and to the pool where Frank’s started to swim a lap already. Gerard smiles at his boyfriend and lowers himself on to the side of the pool, letting his feet slowly rest on the top of the water, skimming the surface. As Frank swims back towards him tough, he dips his feet in a little lower and the water covers his skin.

“I’m pretty sure you were meant to be like, a dolphin or something?” Gerard cocks his head to the side as he watches Frank plunge down in to the water, surfacing a few seconds later with a gasp.

Frank spits some water out of his mouth and laughs, droplets of water trickling down his nose as he walks towards Gerard in the pool. He stops where Gerard’s sat and slides both his hands up his knees and thighs.

“I think I might have been a dolphin in a past life, maybe.” Frank states and Gerard leans down to kiss his boyfriend’s wet lips. As they pull back Frank dips his head down and rests his face on Gerard’s thigh, warm breath close to where Gerard’s dick is, covered in only his boxers he’s just put on after their shower. He takes in a long, deep breath as he threads his fingers through Frank’s wet hair.

“You happy?” He asks randomly and Frank looks up from where his head is resting and smiles before kissing at Gerard’s thigh.

“Yeah, I really am.” Frank admits and Gerard’s heart flutters just a little. His boxers are a little damp now from where Frank’s lay with his wet hair but he doesn’t mind.

“Me too.” Gerard states, voice calm and steady and almost trance like before he remembers the lotion next to him. “Let me put your lotion on.”

Frank stands up a few moments later and lets Gerard rub the sweet smelling sun lotion over his already tanned skin. He smothers his arms and shoulders in the cream, rubbing in small circles until it’s soaked in to the skin. Frank then turns around to allow Gerard access to his back and sighs comfortably as he feels his boyfriend’s hands ghost across his skin, lotion in tow on the tips of his fingers and he’s rubbing small and soft circles again. Frank hums at the feel of Gerard's fingers, the hot sun on his face and the water on his legs and tips his head back a little, enjoying the mix and clash of all three sensations.

-

Frank ends up spending the rest of the day in the pool with Gerard sat in a near sun lounger reading one of the many books he’s taken with him. They walk down to the restaurant for dinner and fill up on some of the most expensive and sensational food they’ve ever tasted. It’s on the walk back that Gerard takes Frank’s hand and presses him up against a nearby palm tree.

Gerard’s breath is hot against Frank’s ear and he can feel the press of Gerard’s hips against his own.

“Remember what I told you, on the plane?” Gerard whispers, hot and suggestive.

Frank shivers and swallows. “Well, you spoke a lot on the plane?” Frank starts to babble and Gerard cuts him off by lowering his mouth on to Frank’s neck, kissing at the skin until he sinks his small teeth in to the flesh, biting hard. Frank moans and pushes his head back, his hair brushing against the tree and pulling a little, only adding to the sensation.

“Remember now?” Gerard pulls back, licking at the bruise that’s already starting to form on Frank’s tanned skin. He nods quickly and pushes his hips forward, needing some kind of friction because fuck, he’s already getting hard.

Gerard then grabs Frank by the wrist and drags him back to their apartment. When they’re finally inside, he tells Frank to rummage in the suitcase and find the many packets of single use lube he’d packed. Frank pulls out a few packets and one of the extra thin condoms too (with extra lube inside) because Frank’s pretty sure they’re the best thing ever to be invented.

When he turns around he sees Gerard already naked, pulling his socks from his feet and climbing on to the bed. He’s nearly fully hard and Frank shivers when his eyes wander down to Gerard’s erection. Frank throws Gerard the packets of lube and they land next to him on the bed. Walking over, he pulls his shirt over his head and unbuckles his belt quickly, pushing his black jeans down over his hips, taking his boxers with them too. He’s soon completely naked and Gerard’s already lay on the bed, slowly palming himself. He’s not quite stroking himself though, just teasing a little.

Frank crawls on to the bed and on to his knees before staring down at Gerard. “Up, on your knees.” He commands and Gerard moves his hand from his dick slowly before moving to kneel on the bed. Frank then crawls behind him and pushes Gerard between his shoulder blades so that he falls forwards, hands catching himself so that he’s now on all fours, ass in the air.

“This is how I want you.” Frank mumbles and Gerard nods, whining quietly and waiting patiently.

“You going to fuck me, Frankie? Real hard?” Gerard breaths and Frank leans forward to run his blunt fingernails down his boyfriend’s back.

“Fuck yes, look at you, just waiting for me.” Frank all but moans out, his pulse starting to echo in his ears because damn, how hot does his boyfriend look right now, all spread and waiting to be taken?

Frank takes the condom from sheets and tears it open, the lubed latex slipping from his hand before he gets his grasp right and starts to roll it down his hard dick, down to the base. He takes a packet of lube from the small pile next to him and tears that open too, pouring the amount on to his fingers before bringing them to Gerard’s ass. He lets the liquid drip from his fingers and down on to the cleft of his ass and Gerard gasps, the cold substance seeping down and nearer to his hole.

“You’re gagging for it, aren’t you?” Frank whispers, all hot and heavy and Gerard nods his head, letting his hair fall across his face.

Frank doesn’t waste any more time, he brings his fingers to Gerard’s ass and presses one of his fingertips to the tight ring of muscle before pushing inside. Gerard gasps and automatically presses back against Frank.

“Fuck, you’re so needy. One’s never enough for you.” He breaths again and Gerard can feel his hot, moist breath over the small of his back. He shakes his head because no, one finger of Frank’s is never enough for him, he always wants, always needs more.

He pushes that one finger in all of the way before pulling it out and adding two. Gerard moans this time, the burn of two fingers exciting him. It’s never a bad burn now, but it’s enough to really turn him on, preparing him for more. It’s when Gerard starts to push back against his fingers that Frank gets the idea, and lowers his head just a little to see if he’ll be able to angle this right. He can, he finds and so he lowers his head down that little bit more so that his face is right in Gerard’s ass.

Gerard can feel Frank’s hot breath on his ass and moans even more, thinking of what he knows he’s about to do turning him on that much more.

“Please, Frank. Yeah, baby.” Gerard whispers as he feels Frank push his fingers in a little more and then suddenly, there’s something warm and moist on his hole.

“Fuck, Frank!” Gerard whines, all needy and wanting and Frank presses his tongue to Gerard’s hole, lapping at the skin that’s being stretched with his fingers. It’s probably the most intense thing Gerard’s ever felt, because he can feel the tip of Frank’s fingers just pushing on the edge of his prostate and he can feel his hot, wet tongue on his ass, the tip of his tongue flicking around the hole.

A few moments later Frank pulls back and licks at his lips. All he can taste is lube. He takes his dick in his hand then, moving forward a little to get in to position before he presses the blunt head against Gerard’s ass and pushes forward, feeling the tight ring of muscle open up for him. He pushes until he’s completely covered and inside and Gerard’s head is hung low between his shoulders, ass in the air and completely full.

It doesn’t take long for Gerard to start rocking his hips back, signaling for Frank to really start fucking him. Of course, he complies and pulls out almost all the way before snapping his hips forward again, filling Gerard before repeating his actions again and again.

Frank’s scraping his nails down Gerard’s back when he looks up and sees the most perfect view ever. His mouth is ajar and his hair is sticking to his face but as he looks up he can see the ocean from where he’s fucking Gerard, the sun setting in the distance and the sky just growing dark. It’s absolutely perfect, because he’s on holiday with his boyfriend, on an island so close to the Barrier Reef and fuck, he’s inside of Gerard, fucking him hard and it’s the most amazing combination of feelings he’s ever felt.

“Please Frank, m’so close.” Gerard moans and Frank snaps from his perfect vision and grins, all teeth and open mouth when he stares back down at his boyfriend, watching his dick slide in and out of his body. He complies, because he starts to push harder and harder in to Gerard’s ass, hearing the slap of his balls and just knowing that he’s hitting his prostate dead on every time and when Gerard comes, he cries out, loud and needy.

Frank’s only a few moments behind him and as he pushes in to Gerard’s heat on last time he stills, feeling himself spill inside of his boyfriend. He pants as he pulls out and Gerard collapses forward, laughing a little at just how amazing that was. Frank rolls the condom from his softening dick and ties it at the end, throwing it to the floor along with the empty lube sachet and making a mental note to actually throw that away before he treads on it, or something equally as gross.

“That…was…amazing.” Gerard breathes out, cheek pressed against the cool sheets, sweat glistening in his hair. Frank collapses beside him and nods against the bed.

“Perfect. Worth the plane ride.”

Gerard grins and wiggles his eyebrows. “And just think, you have to get home yet. Think of all the promises I can make yet…”

-

The next morning is even hotter than the day before when they arrived and Gerard feels like he’s going to pass out. They walk hand in hand to breakfast but it’s far too hot for Gerard to eat most of the fancy food that’s on offer so he sticks to a bowl of tropical fruit. Frank’s opposite him at their small table and is tucking in to the largest vegetarian full English fried breakfast Gerard’s ever seen.

“Need my strength!” Frank talks with mouthfuls of food in his mouth and Gerard raises an eyebrow. “Snorkeling!” Frank mumbles again around a veggie sausage and Gerard laughs before chewing on another piece of pineapple.

After breakfast they walk back to their apartment to collect their things for snorkeling. This is the day Frank gets to snorkel on the barrier reef and he’s giddy with excitement. Gerard is of course, a little apprehensive as although he’s not snorkeling, he still has to stay on a small boat in the middle of the sea for a couple of hours as his boyfriend swims in the damn sea. Of course he’s going to be on edge.

Gerard remembers to pack his cell phone in his small bag that he is taking on the boat because he’s been trying to text Mikey ever since they landed on the island almost twenty four hours ago now and every time he tries, he has no signal. He knows Mikey is probably too busy with Ray to even notice he’s not text to tell him of their safe arrival, but Gerard still wants to have some kind of communication with the outside world on this holiday. Just a few texts?

“You ready to go?” Frank asks as he comes up behind Gerard, wrapping his arms around his middle and kissing his neck. Gerard giggles a little at the hot breath on his skin and nods before turning around in his boyfriend’s arms.

“Taking my phone with me, just in case” Gerard explains and Frank leans in to kiss his lips.

“To text Mikes?” Frank asks as he lets his boyfriend go and turns around to pick Gerard’s bag from the bed.

Gerard nods and follows Frank out of the apartment, locking the patio door with the key as they leave.

They only have to walk the four cabins down until they reach the reception house where Nicky is waiting for them. Frank grins and walks a little quicker to hug his friend. Gerard reaches a few seconds later and holds out his hand to shake Nicky’s.

“So, you guys. Ready for the boat ride?” Nicky asks with a grin on his face, obviously as excited as Frank is, who is now jumping a little on the balls of his feet.

Gerard nods a little and Frank squeezes his hand a little, encouraging maybe?

“We set to go? It’s about a thirty minute boat ride from the island to get to the best part of the reef.” Nicky states and Frank nods along, knowing exactly the route they were going to take. Gerard feels a little like a third wheel though, because he most definitely dislikes the sea and it would be a miracle if he’s ever to go diving off of his own free will.

“Great!” Nicky claps and slaps an hand around both Frank and Gerard’s shoulders before turning and leading the way to the motorized boat that is waiting for them on the shore.


-

Gerard’s sure he hasn’t been this afraid since that time Frank made him stand in the pool at the aquarium with the sting rays that time and as the boat they’re on rocks a little more on the sea, Gerard is pretty sure the moment he gets back on to land is the moment he will kneel to the floor and kiss the solid ground he’s forever taken for granted.

“You sure this is okay?” Frank asks as he looks around to Gerard, who looks like he’s going to puke at any moment.

Gerard nods but Frank scoots closer to him on the small boat and wraps an arm around his middle.

“I don’t have to do this, you know. I can just watch from the boat…” Frank offers but he knows that he will be disappointed if Gerard tells him that’s what he wants.

Gerard shakes his head. “No, you’ve wanted to do this forever. We’re here and it’s something you’re going to do.” He commands and Frank leans forward to kiss his boyfriend’s cheek.

“I promise I won’t be long. The boat is safe and there are no sharks in this part of the ocean, I swear!” Frank reassures but Gerard only scoffs and rolls his eyes. Sharks, the one word he really could have forgotten just for today.

“You will be fine, I promise baby.” Frank concludes and leans forward again to catch Gerard’s cheek with his lips but instead, he finds his mouth as Gerard moves his head around. The kiss is soft and reassuring and Gerard isn’t sure if the butterflies in his stomach are because of the way Frank is kissing him so tender and delicate or if it’s the worry of being out at sea. He’s going to go with the way Frank is kissing him, because at least that is something good to hold on to in a few minutes when the boat starts to slow and he knows Frank is going to have to leave him.

The boat does start to slow down as Frank pulls back from the kiss and looks around.

“You ready?” Nicky calls from the front of the boat where he’s been controlling and Frank nods, grinning like a fool. Gerard sighs and reaches up to kiss Frank as he turns around and cups Gerard’s chin in his hands.

“It will all be fine, baby.” Frank says as he brushes the slight stubble on Gerard’s chin with his thumb. Gerard nods and reaches for another kiss.

As Frank pulls back he reaches for a pair of flippers and attaches them to his feet. Gerard laughs a little and watches as Frank takes a pair of goggles and snorkel and puts them on his face. Frank turns around to grin at Gerard once more before putting his mouth piece to his lips and slowly lowering himself in to the water.

Nicky is already in the water so as Frank leaves the boat, he’s left alone. Gerard watches as Frank swims away and kicks his flippers and he’s trying, so hard not to freak out. The water isn’t deep where they are because the reef is pretty visible in shallow waters so it’s not as if there is even much water below the boat, but Gerard is convinced he can hear the Jaws theme tune playing somewhere in the distance. He shakes his head and reaches over to his bag to pull his phone out and for some crazy reason, he’s got signal. He grins and almost kisses his cell before pulling up a blank text page and starting to type.

Mikes! We’re here, sorry I couldn’t text you yesterday but we have no signal on the island we’re staying on. Currently sat in the middle of the damn sea, watching Frank snorkel. Yeah, I know, he’s crazy. I’m scared bro! I’m sure I can hear the Jaws theme tune so if I don’t come back home safe, you know I’m somewhere in a sharks belly. I kid, I’ll try and text you again but I don’t really plan to be on another boat this week. Miss you, see you soon! Oh, and sorry for waking you, it’s what, like ass o clock there? Love you!

Gerard presses send as soon as he’s finished typing and fuck yes because it sends right away and Gerard is grinning. He quickly checks his emails too, not giving a fuck about how much it’s costing him because he finally has signal and it’s only been a day since he was without but he’s yet to care.

It’s only a few minutes later when he feels his phone vibrate against his knee where it’s resting and he opens the text quickly.

Fucker! I was asleep and yes it’s ass o clock, you ass! Glad you got their safe bro, and don’t worry, if a shark does eat you I’m sure I’ll see your remains on the animal planet channel when they catch a shark or two soon… Love you too, stay safe and remember my present!

Gerard’s grinning as he rolls his eyes and backs out of his inbox, locking the keypad of his cell and shoving it back in to his bag. He pulls a book out while he’s there and sits back a little on the uncomfortable and hot seat he’s sat on, trying hard to relax a little and maybe do a little light reading.


Frank’s true to his word though, because not an hour later Frank’s back on the boat with Nicky, grinning with his entire face.

“Have a good time?” Gerard asks as Frank stands over him, body dripping with water as he towels his face down, kicking his flippers off as he does.

“Fuckin’ amazing Gee!” Frank beams and then removes his goggles and snorkel. He’s got a red mark where they have dug in to his face but he doesn’t seem to mind as he towels his face and hair down again. “So amazing, honestly. Fuckin’ awesome! And so beautiful.”

Gerard smiles at him and reaches his hand up to brush against his tanned torso.

“I’m really glad you got to do it.” Gerard states because really, he is. He knows how long Frank’s wanted to be here, on the reef and not just looking at pictures in a book.

“Me too.” Frank leans down to kiss at Gerard’s lips. “You text Mikey?”

“Yeah, I actually got signal here.” Gerard throws his arms up to signal just where he managed to get signal. “The middle of the damn sea!” He laughs and Frank nods.

“Just your luck, baby.”


-


It’s a few days since they travelled to the reef and they haven’t done much at all. Frank’s taken a liking to the hammock and Gerard’s joined him. It’s relaxing, swaying gently in the light breeze and it’s in the shade, which makes it even better in Gerard’s book. He’s burnt a little though, and he’s not impressed.

It’s starting to get dark, the sun setting across the ocean and they can hear the faint sounds of crickets off in the distance somewhere.

“You want to go in?” Frank asks Gerard but he shakes his head.

“No. Stay here?”

Frank leans in to kiss Gerard’s lips, flicking his tongue out a little to lick at the dry and sun burnt skin. He needed to remember to walk to the shop tomorrow and buy his boyfriend a chap stick with a high factor in it because he really didn’t want to miss out on kissing Gerard for the rest of the holiday. Pulling back he grins at Gerard and lets his hand wander down to the waistband of his shorts, letting his fingers dip below the elastic of Gerard’s shorts and boxers and then he’s met with a tangle of what he knows are dark pubes. Gerard’s breath catches in his throat as Frank pushes his hand further down in to the cotton underwear and takes a hold of Gerard’s limp cock. He wraps his finger around the flesh and starts to rub gently.

“In the hammock, really?” Gerard gasps a little as Frank thumbs the head of his cock, pressing a little before moving his lips to kiss at Gerard’s neck. He bites at the skin a little, loving the feel of Gerard’s pulse beneath his mouth and pulls back a few seconds later, smirk playing across his face.

“No, I want to try something else…” Frank whispers and Gerard shivers, his skin bruising with goose bumps and his heart starting to quicken. He nods though, and allows Frank to move from the hammock and back on to his feet without falling over. Gerard’s not sure he will be able to do the same though, because the blood that’s usually filling his brain is now rushing to his hard cock and he’s pretty sure he’s going to lose all balance.

“Need a hand?” Frank laughs as he looks down at Gerard who is panting, shorts tenting with his erection and chest heaving up and down already. Gerard narrows his eyes but nods and holds his hand out for Frank to take, pulling him from the hammock slowly. Once he’s standing on his feet he does feel a little dizzy but Frank’s got hold of his wrist, thin fingers wrapping around his arm as he tugs him towards the pool.

Gerard stops for a second as Frank lets go of his hand and walks towards the pool steps, pulling his shorts and underwear down as he strides in to the water. Now fully naked Frank’s swimming towards the side of the pool at the shallow end and once there, motions for Gerard to sit on the side of the pool, with his feet in the water.

“Come here.” Frank says as he stops next to the wall and waits for Gerard to take a few steps before lowering himself down and shifting a little so that he’s closer to Frank. Gerard’s pretty sure he knows what Frank wants to do, but he’s going to play along because if Frank wants to try something, he’s going to let him go with it. In the past 10 months of their relationship they’ve definitely become more comfortable with one another and both express the urge to try new things once in a while. Gerard remembers the time he wanted to experiment with blindfolds and had worried for days about how he should go about asking Frank. In the end, he had cornered him in their bedroom, wrapped a tie around Gerard’s eyes and thrown him on the bed because apparently, Frank can read Gerard like a book now.

“Off.” Frank mumbles against Gerard’s thigh as he starts to kiss at the skin near his erection and Gerard nods, lifting his ass either side to slide his shorts from his body and kicks them in to the pool. Frank laughs against his thigh for a few seconds before bringing a wet, cool hand to his dick and clamping his fingers around the base. Gerard groans and looks around to see if there is any possible way that somebody could see what was happening but thankfully, their pool and apartment was covered by wooden fences and surrounded by all kinds of different trees. It still has an element of excitement though, because Gerard is naked and Frank’s about to suck him off in a pool and they’re outside, in the open and –

“Fuck!” Gerard groans as Frank lowers his face and closes his moist lips around the head of his cock, letting his tongue slip out to lick a full circle around the side before lapping at the pre come. Gerard now lets his eyes slip closed, satisfied that nobody will be able to see them and tips his head back, trying hard not to buck forward in to Frank’s mouth because fuck, he needs more and soon.

“Frank please, Frank… ” Gerard groans and opens his eyes again to look down at his boyfriend, who has one hand on Gerard’s dick and the other on the side of the pool, bracing himself. He looks absolutely gorgeous, his hair wet with beads of water dripping down his body. Gerard blinks once, twice and before he can ask again Frank plunges down and takes the majority of his dick in his mouth, fingers still wrapped firmly around him. Gerard throws his head back again for a second before deciding that he has to watch this one, as Frank sucks in his cheeks and makes a slurping noise. Gerard can feel Frank humming around him and with the cool evening breeze he can feel on his skin, he’s not going to last much longer.

Frank’s pulling out all the stops because as much as he wants Gerard to enjoy himself, he loves the feeling of his boyfriend losing control under his touch, pulsing hard and heavy on his tongue and coming down his throat. Gerard never complains when Frank blows him quick and messy because it feels just as good as a slow and precise job, just a little different. Gerard’s moaning and pushing his fingers through Frank’s hair as his stomach tightens and he feels Frank move his fingers, dropping them down to gently to brush at his balls where he fingers them softly before taking them in his hand and squeezing.

That’s all Gerard needs as Frank sinks down that little bit further and he’s coming hard, his hips jerking forward as he grips at Frank’s hair and spills down his throat. Frank takes it all, lapping at the head as he pulls off of Gerard’s dick before letting him fall from his mouth and smiles up at his boyfriend who is panting, chest rising and falling quickly.

“S’good. So good.” Gerard pants and Frank grins and moves a few steps aside to haul himself out of the pool. He’s incredibly hard and the way the water in the pool was moving around his sensitive cock was almost enough for Frank to come, but he’s got better plans.

Frank nods in agreement and then pulls Gerard up from the floor, making sure his boyfriend doesn’t slip on the wet patches that are now littering the floor around them.

“Go get on the bed, baby.” Frank instructs and Gerard complies, walking through the patio doors and crawling on the bed. He turns himself around at the head of the bed and lies down, pulling his knees up a little. He pulls a pillow from behind his head too, placing it under his hips because he knows Frank will be grateful for it in a few minutes.

Gerard grins as he watches Frank walk through the doors and moves his hand to wave at his boyfriend, all camp and seductive.

“You getting the lube?” Gerard asks and Frank nods as he bites his lip, heading over to the cases where they’re keeping the tones of lube they’ve brought with them. Frank grabs a tube from the case and uncaps it quickly, squirting some on to his fingers as he walks over to the bed. He stands at the end staring at Gerard for a few seconds as he brings his lubed fingers down to his cock and groans as he takes himself in his hand, rubbing the cold gel across the head and down the shaft slowly. Gerard groans too, watching and licking his lips before whining impatiently.

“Come on, Frankie.” Gerard whines and Frank looks down at his dick for a few seconds and then moves to crawl on to the bed and over to Gerard.

Frank doesn’t waste any time. He hovers over Gerard’s open legs as he squirts more lube on to his fingers and then moves them down to Gerard’s ass. Rubbing his fingers around the hole Gerard sighs as Frank sinks them past the tight muscle and up in to his ass. He pushes two fingers right in and Gerard sighs as it burns but only just a little, and as Frank starts to rub in definite circles with the pads of his fingers against Gerard’s prostate, he’s already on his way to another erection.

“Ready?” Frank asks as he pushes his fingers a little harder and Gerard nods frantically, enjoying the press on his spot and knowing that when Frank pushes his dick inside of him, it’s going to feel even better.

“Yeah, yeah Frank, fuck me.” Gerard mumbles and Frank grins up at him as he pulls his fingers out and crawls a little further up the bed until he’s hovering right over Gerard’s face.

“Look at you. You’ve only just come down my throat and you’re ready for round two…” Frank whispers against his boyfriends lips before licking at them, quickly moving away thought when Gerard tries to kiss him back.

He then slithers back down Gerard’s body and holds his dick in his hand before lining up with Gerard’s ass and pushing in quick and hard. Gerard feels like the breath has been knocked out of him as Frank pushes in all of the way, quick and in one solid motion but fuck, it feels amazing. Being so full of Frank that he doesn’t know what to do with himself is never going to get old, not ever and he’s sure of that. The way Frank fills him just right, pushes in and presses every nerve ending of his just right is the same feeling Gerard wants to be feeling for the rest of his life. That feeling is so overwhelming sometimes that Gerard’s not sure he can even breathe as Frank pulls out nearly all the way and then slams back in, pushing his ass open and nudging his prostate just right. He’s already sweating and his cock is already hard for the second time.

Frank’s still sopping wet too. His hair is dripping over Gerard’s stomach and chest, droplets of water falling on to Gerard’s still milky white skin (because apparently he really can’t hold a tan) and it feels amazing, the sensation of cool drops on his skin contrasting to the hot feeling of Frank moving in and out of him.

“Good?” Frank pants down and Gerard smiles, his small teeth showing and he laughs a little. Of course it’s good, it’s fuckin’ amazing but Gerard loves how Frank still asks most times they have sex. He knows it’s not an insecure thing, but Frank just likes to make sure that his boyfriend is enjoying himself.

“God, Frank. S’amazing-” Gerard groans out through his smile as Frank pulls out again and slams back in, again and again until Gerard is hooking his feet around Frank’s torso and pulling their hips together. “Fuck, harder, please!” Gerard grits out as Frank pulls out again and really goes for it this time, pushing back in so hard they move and Gerard starts to hit his head against the wooden headboard.

“Yeah, fuck, yeah!” Frank smiles as he moans, moving a little to kiss at Gerard’s mouth, tongue slipping out and meeting with his boyfriends, sloppy and dirty and just what they both need before Frank’s stomach tightens and he’s coming deep inside of Gerard. He’s still pushing in and out, the warmth that filled Gerard’s ass moments ago starting to slide out and as Gerard pushes against Frank once more he comes too, thick jets of white spurting across his stomach.

Frank pulls out a few moments later after catching his best and collapses next to Gerard who is looking down at the come drying across his stomach, panting gently but smiling. He rolls over towards Gerard and rests his head against his arm, kissing the moist skin gently.

“Amazing.” Frank mumbles against the skin and Gerard laughs a little.

“Yeah, fuck. I’ve not been able to come twice like that in a while…” Gerard claims as he runs his fingers through Frank’s wet hair. The sheets around them are damp from where he was dripping from the pool but Gerard’s really not complaining. His ass is a little sore and he can feel the mix of come and lube starting to dry.

“Go get me a wash cloth?” Gerard asks and Frank sighs and nods.

“Thank you!” Gerard calls out as he watches his naked boyfriend grin back to him and walk in to the bathroom for a damp cloth.

-

“Frank, are you ever go to leave that hammock?” Gerard asks as he enters their apartment and makes his way through the bedroom and out through the back patio doors to where his boyfriend is lay in the hammock in nothing but his boxers and sunglasses, grinning up at him. They’re five days in to their holiday and today is the last full day they have just lazing around the apartment because for tomorrow, Frank has big plans and the next they fly home.

“Nope.” Frank speaks through his grin as Gerard hands him a bowl of fruit that he’s gone and got for Frank to eat in his damn hammock. “Thank you, baby.”

Gerard smiles and leans down to kiss Frank’s lips. “You going to leave the hammock today?”

Frank laughs a little but something in his face tells Gerard that no, he’s not going to leave the hammock. Ever. For some reason, he’s really taken a liking to it and Gerard is sure he’s never going to leave it again.

“I thought…” Frank starts before picking a piece of melon from the bowl and eating it quickly. “Maybe we could go for a quick dip in the pool?” He suggests and Gerard’s face falls a little.

“But Frank I really don’t-”

Frank starts to pout and Gerard stops speaking. “Please? Just the once?”

Gerard sighs and looks over to the pool before huffing his answer. “I guess, alright?”

Frank grins and leans up in the hammock asking for a kiss. “You’ll be fine okay, and you might even like it!” He speaks before Gerard leans down to kiss at his lips a few times before pulling back. “You like baths now, right?”

Gerard sighs and nods. “Yeah, kinda…only cause you are in with me.”

Frank grins again as he shoves another piece of melon in to his mouth. “See! I’ll be in the pool with you.”

Gerard leans down to kiss at Frank’s lips again and smiles against them before flicking his tongue out at Frank as he pulls back, walking in to the apartment to find more sun block.


-

Frank’s standing in the water facing the pool steps as he watches Gerard slowly lower himself in to the water. It’s been months since he was in the pool with the sting rays and he knows that he shouldn’t be so scared, but he still is.

“Come on baby, little further.” Frank coos and Gerard is looking down at his feet that are slowly being submerged in the clear water. It takes a few more moments before Gerard shrugs and walks a little faster, moving down the last few steps so that he’s standing on the pool floor with the water up to his hips. Frank grins over to him and wades in the water until he meets his boyfriend. Slipping his arms around his middle and moving his hands down to rest on Gerard’s hips, Frank leans forward to peck at his lips.

“This is nice.” Frank mumbles and squeezes at Gerard’s hips a little, looking down at his boyfriend’s lower body in the water.

Gerard hums and rests his head against Frank’s. “Feels kinda good.” Gerard mumbles against Frank’s wet hair.

Frank grins before pecking at Gerard’s lips again. “Hey, I want to try something…”

Gerard furrows his eyebrows and looks at Frank a little scared.

“Put your arms around my neck.” Frank instructs and Gerard looks skeptical but complies. Frank holds Gerard’s middle, hooking his arms around his middle and lacing his fingers together to hold him there. “Okay good, now. Wrap your legs around my middle.”

“Frank, what?” Gerard starts but Frank shushes him and kicks at his legs under the water. “Okay, right. Alright.” Gerard nods and slowly, as he’s holding on to Frank he wraps a leg around his boyfriend’s middle, before slowly lifting his other and wrapping that around too. He lets out a shaky breath as he adjusts himself around Frank a little but soon starts to relax as he realizes that he really is weightless in water, and that Frank is holding him tight and is not going to let him go.

“See, this is good, right?” Frank asks and Gerard nods slowly, staring down at Frank with a slightly relaxed face.

“Actually kinda nice…” Gerard whispers against Frank’s neck before kissing at the skin.

“Good. Though I can kinda feel your dick on mine…” Frank admits and Gerard laughs against his wet skin before biting down a little as he pushes his hips against Frank’s.

He yelps a little before tightening his arms around Gerard’s middle. “Gee, fuck! I’m going to drop you if don’t stop!”

Gerard giggles but surrenders as he knows that being dropped in to the water is something he really wants to avoid right now.

“I’m a little sad I put this off for so long…” Gerard mumbles against Frank’s moist skin as he’s walking around the pool, Gerard still firmly in his arms.

Frank kisses the side of Gerard’s face and hums. “Yeah, me too. But this is good.” Frank concludes and Gerard nods against the side of Frank’s face, looking down at the pool. He can feel the water on his legs, wrapped around his boyfriend’s waist and it feels good, as he wiggles his toes a little and sighs.

It’s around half an hour later when Gerard announces he’s cold. “Can we get out?”

Frank nods but keeps his grip on Gerard. “You want to walk to the steps?” He asks and Gerard looks around the pool for a few seconds before nodding.

“Yeah, I can do that…” He mumbles before slowly letting his legs slip down from around Frank’s middle and down in to the water. His breath hitches a little as his feet touch the bottom of the pool, but he takes a deep breath and keeps his arms steady around Frank’s neck.

“I hate the feel of the tiles” Gerard whispers and Frank kisses at his cheek.

“But you’re doing so well, sweetie.” Frank whispers back and kisses at Gerard’s cheek again. “Come on, we’ll get you out and dry and then go for dinner?” Frank suggests and Gerard smiles.

“Sounds perfect.”


-


The next day is just as relaxed as the one before. Of course Frank is still in his hammock and Gerard runs for breakfast on his own again, having to apologize to the polite and helpful maids for not wanting to sit down and eat. He curses at Frank when they ask why he doesn’t want to eat in the dining room, and he explains quickly that his partner is enjoying their apartment a little too much to move. They only smile and nod. When Gerard gets back to the apartment he finds Frank still in the hammock and hands him his breakfast again.

The afternoon is pretty much just the same too, as Frank somehow manages to get Gerard in to the pool again and this time, he actually swims a little. He lets Frank hold his middle though, like a child learning to swim and kicks his legs a little. Frank’s grinning the entire time, because seeing his boyfriend a little more relaxed in the water is awesome, and totally worth travelling half way around the world to see.

It’s after they’ve eaten dinner in their apartment kitchen (delivered by the amazing maids) that Frank’s coaxed Gerard in to the hammock. They are curled up side by side, hot skin on hot skin and Gerard is sure he’s going to boil alive, but being outside in the hammock is slightly better than being inside in the bed, even if the AC is turned up to the max.

“We should sleep here.” Frank speaks as they’re looking up towards the clear black sky. Gerard turns and gives him an odd look and waits for Frank to continue.

“It’s a little cooler out here, besides you can’t tell me this hammock isn’t comfy…” Frank probes and Gerard sighs, because he knows his boyfriend is serious about sleeping in the damn hammock. He should have seen this one coming.

“Frank, I’m not sleeping on a piece of material, dangling over a damn pool of water.” Gerard states in a matter of fact tone.

His face softens a little as he continues with his reasons. “Besides, what if I roll off in the night and die?” He mumbles and bites at his lip a little.

Frank rolls his eyes. “Would you sleep here if I let you have this side of the hammock?” He asks and Gerard looks over to Frank’s side, nearer to the apartment and further away from the pool. He then looks over his shoulder to the body of water next to him and sighs.

“Yes, fuck. Come on before I change my mind.” Gerard huffs and Frank leans over to kiss his cheek.

“This is going to be the most awesome night ever!” Frank beams and Gerard only grunts as Frank starts to try and move. It’s when he elbows Gerard in the ribs and nearly tips the hammock that Gerard stops him, holding his body down.

“What?” Frank asks, oblivious.

Gerard scowls. “You nearly tipped the damn thing over, moron.” He blames but his face loosens when he sees Frank starting to pout at him. Gerard leans over and kisses at his boyfriends lips before pulling back and suggesting “Why don’t you get out of the hammock and I’ll scoot over?”

Frank frowns. “But I don’t want to leave the hammock.”

Gerard sighs. “Frank, get out the damn hammock or else we’re not sleeping here.”

“Bu-”

“Frank, get the fuck out.” Gerard states in slow words and an awful tone but he’s smiling as he does so, letting Frank know that there’s a playful notion somewhere in his orders.

Frank pouts a little more but as he moves from the hammock and flops down on to the decking underneath them, Gerard hears him giggle a little before popping up the other side. Gerard laughs as he sees Frank’s face slowly rising up and over the material and shuffles back towards the apartment, moving on to now his side of the hammock.

Frank climbs back in, steady and slow so that he doesn’t tip it because if he does, he knows that Gerard will kick his ass, and any hopes of sleeping outside with his boyfriend will wither down to nothing.

“That was awkward.” Frank states with a sigh, trying to catch his breath.

Gerard laughs a little and places an arm over Frank’s middle, gently stroking his back.

“Mm, worth it to sleep out here though?” Gerard asks as he drags his blunt fingernails across Frank’s tanned skin.

“Totally.” Frank replies with a smile and closes his eyes, enjoying the feel of his boyfriend’s touch.

-

Gerard actually wakes up refreshed. He can feel the cool breeze from the ocean not so far away from their apartment and he can hear the sound of the shore, water softly moving. As his eyes flutter open and adjust to the brightness of the sun, he thinks that waking up like this, is probably something made for fantasies. It’s most definitely what postcards are made of, too.

As he shifts a little he feels Frank’s warm breath against his neck, softly tickling at the skin. He smiles and uses the arm that’s already wrapped around his boyfriend to pull him a little closer, the hammock swaying a little as he does. He places a kiss to Frank’s nose, just at the bridge and waits for his eyes to open. As they do, he smiles over and leans to kiss his nose again. Frank makes a high pitched, what would usually be annoying whine but Gerard just smiles even more so. Fuck, this might actually be the most amazing morning ever.

“Morning.” Gerard whispers against Frank’s skin and his boyfriend whines some more in response.

“You sleep okay?” He asks and Frank nods against his boyfriend’s bare chest. He nuzzles his cheek in to the skin and Gerard hums appreciatively, stroking the tips of his fingers against Frank’s back still.

A few minutes pass and Gerard’s still staring at Frank, studying every little inch of his face and tracing invisible patterns on the small of his back. Frank’s eyes are fluttering a little, in and out of consciousness until Gerard finally breaks the silence.

“I think we should move in together…” Gerard finds himself blurting out before he can even think about what he’s saying. His stomach drops and his heart starts to pound and he stares at Frank as he realizes what he’s just said.

Frank’s eyes bug, wide and confused as he wakes up properly this time, because fuck, did Gerard just ask him to move in with him? Is he even awake enough for this? What?

“What?” Frank asks, voice croaky from sleep. He sits up a little and studies Gerard’s worried face.

Gerard takes a deep breath. He’s still trying to work out if he actually just said that or not. Fuck. “I, just. This.” He tries to speak but for some reason, he can’t get his words out.

“This has been the most amazing vacation. I’ve woken up with you every morning, and cuddled you close every night. I want to do that all of the time, at home.” Gerard licks his lips as he tries to think of the words in his head in order to continue. “I hate going to sleep without you, Frankie.”

Frank’s eyes are still wide when Gerard stops talking, and he opens his mouth to say something but nothing really comes out, just choked kind of noises. It takes a few moments for him to find his voice.

“Really? This is what you want?” Frank asks, slowly rubbing at his eyes which are still wide and looking directly at Gerard.

Gerard nods, slow and sure.

Frank’s face slowly starts to hold a grin. “Fuck, of course I want to move in with you, Gerard.” Frank laughs a little as he completes his sentence and as he sees Gerard’s eyes bug wide this time, staring in disbelief.

“You really want to live with me?” Gerard asks because he’s not quite sure he can believe what he’s hearing. He hadn’t even thought of what he was saying when he had blurted it out, but now Frank was agreeing to moving in together and fuck, they’re moving in with each other now?

“Like you said, I fuckin’ love falling asleep with you, and waking up. You’re constantly at my place anyway, half of your wardrobe is already there. Not to forget your toothbrush.” Frank adds and Gerard laughs a little, breath catching in the back of his throat.

“So we’re going to live together? Where?”

Frank chews on his lip a little before answering. “At mine? There’s enough room for both of our things, half your house is already there?” Frank points out and Gerard hums in acceptance.

“This sounds perfect.” Gerard muses and Frank grins and leans in to kiss his lips, firm and bold.

“Because it is.” Frank adds and kisses Gerard again before pulling back far too quickly. Gerard’s about to whine before Frank starts to speak.

“There is one condition though…” Frank adds and Gerard pulls a very confused and of course, intrigued looking face. “You have to let me have a hammock, when we get back.”

Frank grins and Gerard rolls his eyes.

“You want a hammock? At home?” Gerard asks, just to clarify.

Frank nods. “Yup, a hammock.”

“A hammock.” Gerard repeats but leans in to continue kissing his boyfriend.

-

“I’ve got something awesome planned for today.” Frank announces as they’re lay in bed, sheets pooling around their middles as they lay side by side. Gerard’s using his arm and hand to prop his head up and he’s eyeing Frank suspiciously.

“What is that then?”

Frank grins. “I can’t tell you that, it’s a secret.”

Gerard rolls his eyes. “You know I don’t like secrets, Frankie.”

Frank shrugs. “I know, but this secret is going to be amazing, I promise.”

Gerard only rolls his eyes and pushes the sheets back before rolling out of bed. He stands up and turns back to look at Frank before walking in to the bathroom, all actions naked of course. Frank presses his head back against the smooth and cool material of the pillows and sighs. Their day really is going to be awesome.

It doesn’t take either of them long to get dressed and as they walk from their apartment and down to the beach Gerard presses his sunglasses to his face and is still smothering factor 50 sun block all across his skin.

In the distance Gerard can see Frank’s friend, Nicky in the shallow part of the ocean, getting what looks like a small motor boat ready. His stomach starts to flip a little and he’s pretty sure that when Frank said they needed to travel a little for the surprise, this is what he meant.

“Frank!” Nicky shouts and Gerard looks at his boyfriend as he waves over to his friend.

“Hey, thank you so much for doing this!” Frank beams as they reach the shore. Gerard’s feet are safely on the sand and away from the moving tide but Frank only smiles back at his boyfriend before wading through the clear water and over to his friend. He hugs him tight and slaps him on the back a little.

“No problem man, anything for a good friend.” Nicky smiles and Frank can’t stop grinning. “Everything you need is on the boat, and everything you asked for in that hamper just there. You know what to do and where you’re going, right?”

Frank looks over to the small boat and the large hamper sat in the middle and nods. “Yeah, I read the boat instructions you gave me, and I’m good on the water. I’ll be fine.”

Nicky nods. “I’ve programmed the boat to call the main boating house if you’re in danger, alright?”

Frank grins and nods again before patting Nicky on the back. “Thanks man, this is going to be awesome.”

“I’ll leave you to it then, have a great time and call if you need anything.”

“Thank you!” Frank calls after his friend as he wades back through the shallow water and on to the beach were Gerard is still standing.

“Am I going to have to carry you?” Frank calls out to Gerard who glares at him.

He shakes his head, no. He’s going to walk through the damn water and to the boat. He’s got his flip flops on which means his feet won’t be able to touch the damn floor. He sighs and takes a few steps forward before he feels the cool water of the ocean hitting against his feet. He takes a deep breath and continues to walk that big further until he’s stood next to Frank.

“You get on first.” Frank motions for Gerard to climb on board the boat.

Gerard nods and luckily, the boat is pretty small and he doesn’t have to touch much of it to get in. He hoists himself up and puts a leg over to pull himself in to the boat and sits on one of the seats. He notices the hamper but doesn’t bother looking because he knows it’s one of Frank’s many surprises.

Frank follows him a few moments later and as his boyfriend starts the engine of the small boat, he panics a little but relaxes when he realizes that Frank’s in charge, and that he would never let anything happen to him. He’s in safe hands.

It’s not long before they’re in the middle of the ocean but in the distance Gerard can see a small island. He watches as Frank steers the boat towards the piece of land and lets out a long breathe as he notices that a few minutes later, the boat is starting to slow down.

“Nearly here, Gee.” Frank calls out over the motor and the light ocean waves and Gerard nods because fuck yes, he’s about to be on solid land again.

It doesn’t take long for Frank to anchor the small boat to the shore and to help Gerard off, on to the sandy beach of what seems a remote and abandoned island.

“Where are we?” Gerard asks as he watches Frank tie a few things around the boat and picks the hamper up before turning towards him and looking around the beach a little.

“It’s one of the more remote islands, nobody really comes here.” Frank muses with a small smile on his face.

Gerard bobs his head. “Cool, we’re allowed to be here, right?” He asks, suddenly a little nervous and very aware that they are probably the only people in a very long distance.

Frank laughs and motions for Gerard to start walking. “Course, Nicky arranged it all for me.”

Gerard only smiles and nods because if there's one thing he doesn’t doubt, its his trust in Frank.

They walk for a minute towards a large cluster of palm trees and Frank stops to pull a blanket from the top of the hamper. He opens it out and places it across the hot sand. He motions for Gerard to sit down and he does, lowering himself down on to the material.

“Fuck, you can still feel how hot the sand is!” Gerard curses as the backs of his legs come in to contact with the blanket.

Frank laughs as he sorts through the hamper. “Yeah, it sucks we can’t take our shoes off and walk in the sand.”

Gerard shrugs because even if the sand was cool enough to walk bare foot on, he wouldn’t be taking his shoes off. Fuck no. Too many weird things on the beach and in the sea.

“When did you plan all of this?” Gerard asks as he watches Frank pull tubs of food from the wicker hamper, settling them down on the blanket along with plastic cutlery. Frank grins up at him and pulls the last few dishes out and places them on the blanket before sitting down and leaning over to kiss Gerard’s cheek.

“Since before we even got here.” He admits and kisses at his boyfriend’s cheek again before leaning over to sort through the dishes.

They eat for a long while, piling down all kinds of different exotic fruits, along with pasta and fancy sandwiches. Frank’s giggling as Gerard takes a piece of mango and presses it to his lips, fingers brushing against his skin as he extends his tongue out to lick at Gerard’s fingers. He does the same too, taking a piece of melon this time and presses it against Gerard’s lips, smoothing it around before he opens up and takes the fruit. By the time Gerard is finished, he feels like he’s not going to move for about a month. Frank’s the same, and follows Gerard in laying back on the blanket and staring up at the sky.

“This was perfect.” Gerard mumbles and turns his head to look at Frank. “Thank you.”

Frank shuffles a little closer so that their faces are inches apart. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“Mm. Guess what?” Gerard asks and Frank shrugs. “We get to go shopping when we get home.”

“For you moving in?”

Gerard grins and nods his head. “Yeah, well I thought we could get some new things together? Like, new plates maybe. And toothbrushes, and a holder, and bed sheets?” Gerard lists but stops when Frank’s still eyeing him in a curious manor.

“I mean, it was only a suggestion. I don’t want you to think that I’m trying to change it all as soon as I get there, I mean I love the way you-” Gerard babbles on with his hands before Frank pulls him in by the shoulders and places a warm and sloppy kiss on his lips. Gerard whines a little at the back of his throat but opens his mouth to let Frank’s tongue enter, soft and warm and sticky from the fruit they’ve just been eating. Gerard wraps an arm around Frank’s middle and pulls him in that little bit closer, running his fingers down his back the way he likes it.

“Of course I want to do those things with you.” Frank gasps, out of breath as he pulls back from kissing Gerard. “Moron, it’s all I’ve been thinking about since yesterday.”

Gerard feels his stomach falter a little and he knows that’s not the fruit. It’s those little butterflies again, swooping around in his stomach and bursting every time Frank says something romantic or sweet.

“We can get really awesome plates, and a new toothbrush holder? I’ve seen a marine life one you’d really like.” Gerard speaks but Frank’s past listening about trivial things they’re going to fill their home with. He’s really past the point because all he can do is watch Gerard’s lips as they move, watch the way his face moves, his cheeks and eyes and fuck, he’s so in love.

“I love you.” He states, completely interrupting Gerard but he doesn’t care.

Gerard looks a bit baffled because he’s still been talking about what tooth brush holder and new bathroom mat they should buy, when Frank’s declaring his love. Not that he minds, of course.

“I love you too.” He states, slow and sure.

Frank grins and lunges for Gerard’s lips again.


-

It’s the boat ride back from their picnic that Gerard decides to tell Mikey. He knows that on the island, the only place his cell can pick up signal is the middle of the damn sea. He takes his phone out of the bag they’ve packed for the day out and opens up a blank text.

Hey Mikes, in the middle of the sea again. Got something to tell you. I’m moving in with Frank when we get back, so I’ll be out of your hair! Besides, I’m pretty sure Ray will be happy about this, you can finally fuck as loud as you want…Hmm…Yeah, well, Back soon, be ready to pick us up please! Love you. xx

He presses send and only a few minutes later his phone vibrates.

Fuckface, it’s ass of clock in the morning again. You’re moving out? Finally! I thought I’d never get rid of you. I kid, but Ray will be moving in tomorrow, I’ve just told him, he seems happy. I will be there to get you from the airport, don’t worry your ugly face. Love you!

Gerard shakes his head and tries to push the image of Mikey and Ray in bed together away from his mind, but grins, because as much as his brother is a fuck face sometimes, he’s still his brother at the end of day and of course, he loves him.

-

“Frank. Stop.” Gerard insists as he watches his boyfriend run around the apartment for the fourth time looking for anything they’ve left behind and not packed. “You’ve looked under that bed five times now Frank, five!” He throws his hands up in the air to make a point, of which he’s not sure.

Frank’s still crawling on the floor when he sighs and tries to push himself from the floor. Instead he turns himself around and puts his back against the side of the bed, sitting on the floor with his arms crossed.

“You never know, Gerard. What would you do if we got home and you’d left your favourite pair of underwear here, hmm?” Frank asks, all cocky and full of himself.

Gerard scoffs. “I’d call your friend Nicky and have him ship them over.”

Frank huffs and rolls his eyes. “That would cost too much in shipping, fucker.”

Gerard grins and walks over to where Frank is sat on the floor. He knees down a little and brushes a few strands of hair from Frank’s face.

“We’ve not left anything here. Close your case and lets go and say goodbye to Nicky, we’ll miss our flight soon.” Gerard places a small kiss on Frank’s lips before standing up and offering a hand. Frank takes it and as Gerard pulls him to his feet, he leans in to kiss his boyfriend’s lips again.

“This has been the most perfect time ever.” Frank mumbles against Gerard’s lips.

Gerard hums in response and wraps his arms around Frank.

-

“Now Frank, are you sure I can’t tempt you with a job out here?” Nicky speaks as he pats at Frank’s arm. He’s got his other arm wrapped around Gerard’s middle.

Frank laughs but quickly frowns. “I’d love to, but there’s too many good things for me back in Jersey, you know?” Frank admits and quickly glances at Gerard and smiles, awkward but cute.

Nicky laughs and nods. “You’re right, just be happy Frankie.” He muses and pats Frank on the arm again. Frank moves his arm from around Gerard and hugs Nicky before pulling back.

“See you soon, man. I can promise we’ll be back for another vacation here!” Frank jokes but Gerard knows that he’s serious. Hey, a vacation to a remote island once a year or two can’t hurt, right?

“You bet your ass I’ll have an apartment waiting!”

Frank grins and waves to his friend as he walks off. Turning to Gerard he picks his case up and walks across to the taxi rank across the road.

“Ready to go home?” Frank asks as he lets his spare arm drift down to find Gerard’s hand, and laces their fingers together.

Gerard smiles and he’s sure another butterfly may have just been squashed in his stomach. “Mmm, home time. Our soon to be home, right?”

Frank grins. “You bet. Our home.”

-


They’ve only been home for about a week when Gerard walks in to Frank’s no, their living room to find his boyfriend sprawled out on the couch, laptop open and a search for hammocks in the Google search bar. There’s still boxes all across the room and Gerard has to dodge a few to get to the couch.

“What are you doing?” Gerard eyes Frank suspiciously.

Frank looks up with a sly grin. “Nothing…”

“I don’t believe you, let me see!” Gerard exclaims but Frank sighs through a grin.

“There was one condition that you move in, remember?”

Gerard rolls his eyes. He remembers. “Frank. Where the hell is a hammock going to go in here?”

“Over there! I’ve already had it measured, and I’ve got one in a basket waiting for me to check out online!” Frank points over to a spare patch of living room, in the corner. He can just see it now, hammock, a few tropical stickers on the wall and a lamp. Perfect.

Gerard rolls his eyes again. “I’m not going to win this one, am I?”

Frank grins. “Nope, we’re getting a hammock baby!”

Gerard runs a hand through his hair and sighs, but in his stomach there is that familiar feeling bubbling up, that adoration and love. “A hammock.”

Frank nods with a wide grin plastered across his face and moves the curser on the laptop to the open tab marked Please proceed with payment.


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