Chapter Text
Lindsey did, in fact, flip.
As Gerard told her about what had happened, her smile grew wider and wider until her fangs were fully exposed by her grin.
“I’m so proud of you, Gee!” Lindsey grabbed Gerard in a tight hug, which he half-heartedly tried to squirm out of. A couple of bookstore customers glanced judgingly in their direction. “So what’s happening with this hot date of yours?”
Gerard blushed at that. “We’re seeing a movie on Friday that he wants to see. Frank, uh, said he was gonna text me soon though.”
Lindsey squealed a little, “Ahh, I’m so excited for you! You’re going to have so much fun, you have to tell me everything .” She quirked her eyebrow suggestively at Gerard, making him groan. “Hayley and I will channel our ‘gay powers’ or some shit to help you with your date.”
“Thanks, Linds,” Gerard said, rolling his eyes.
By the time that Friday rolled around, Gerard had become a bundle of nervous energy. He paced around his apartment, occasionally sending frantic texts to Mikey and Hayley. This date with Frank had Gerard so worked up he could hardly sit still. The urge to call Frank and pretend he was sick popped up more than Gerard would care to admit.
Finally , Frank knocked on the door, and Gerard just about jumped out of his skin. Praying for his hands to stop shaking, Gerard downed the last of the canned blood he had been nursing since that morning. He reached the door and opened it to find Frank staring up at him with a shy smile.
Gerard, like many vampires, breathed out of habit - and so that he could speak - rather than necessity. As such, his breath caught in his throat when he saw Frank. The tattoos on his arms and hands were entirely visible, as well as those on his neck. Gerard wanted nothing more than to spend hours admiring all of Frank’s tattoos, but, for the time being, he was staring rather rudely.
“Uh, hi, Frank,” Gerard managed.
“Hey, Gee,” Frank replied before blatantly raking his gaze down Gerard’s body, setting his cheeks on fire. “You look great,” Frank said, smiling.
“Thanks,” Gerard said, face burning.
After a few seconds of slightly awkward silence, Frank cleared his throat, “Let’s get going, shall we?” As he said it, Gerard noticed Frank’s face was slightly flushed, which was equal parts endearing and mouth-watering to see all the blood rush just under Frank’s skin. Gerard nodded, and Frank’s face split into a huge grin.
The theater was surprisingly empty for the opening day of a new film, though it was by a lesser-known cast and company. Gerard let Frank lead him to a couple of seats in the back row, which he tried not to read into too much.
Gerard settled somewhat stiffly into his seat, and Frank was still buzzing nervously ; Gerard tried to ignore the quick beating of Frank’s heart, but it was a little distracting.
Frank normally was not this nervous on dates – well, he normally didn’t really go on dates, but still. The last time he was this jittery was in high school. He tried to settle his body by watching his breathing, but every time he caught Gerard looking at him out of the corner of his eye, his heart would flutter. God , he felt so lame .
During the movie, Gerard struggled to focus on what was happening on screen. From what he managed to see, it seemed like a pretty well done film, but he was too distracted by Frank to notice much. Gerard tried to ignore the way Frank’s heart sped up every time Gerard moved, but the rush of blood in Frank’s veins was just so distracting. Maybe he was finally starting to freak out about Gerard being a blood-sucking monster. It wouldn’t be much of a surprise, but Gerard couldn’t help feeling disappointed.
While Gerard pondered ways to try and make Frank feel more comfortable, Frank continued to work himself into a panic; on the few dates he had recently been on, he never felt this anxious. Normally, he’d be at least holding his date’s hand by now (though more likely he’d be making out with them), but for some reason he was so scared of fucking up that he just sat there staring at the screen. Frank was not usually one for long-term relationships, so the fact that he felt so invested in this relationship was seriously messing with his head. Christ , he had only just met the guy.
Gerard was so wrapped up in his own worries that he didn’t notice when Frank shifted towards him slightly until he felt Frank’s hand lightly brush his own. Frank pulled back when Gerard jumped, an apology already forming on his lips, but Gerard gave him a shaky smile and offered his hand. Frank blushed, mumbling something that Gerard couldn’t hear over the rushing of Frank’s blood, before slipping his hand into Gerard’s.
The two looked up at the screen just to catch the very end of the movie; some big reveal about how the main character had actually been dead the entire time.
Gerard laughed lightly, “I’m sure that movie was great, but I honestly couldn’t follow it very well.” When he looked over at Frank – who was still gripping his hand – it was clear that the other man had been watching him for a while. “ Is something wrong? ” Gerard asked, suddenly embarrassed.
“Oh! Sorry, it’s nothing,” Frank said, blushing at how he’d been caught ogling his date. “I just – I really like your eyes,” he said, looking down at his lap.
“Really? You don’t think they’re creepy?” Gerard asked.
Frank laughed and looked back up at Gerard. “Nah, I think the red eyes are cool, and they fit you,” he smiled. “Plus, I don’t really think I could find anything about you creepy, Gerard.”
Now it was Gerard’s turn to blush, and when he looked around the theater he noticed that the last of the people were leaving. “Oh, should we head out?” he asked.
“Sure,” Frank smiled. “I guess I don’t need to offer to walk you home since we’re neighbors,” he laughed.
Gerard grinned back, “It’s still sweet of you to offer.”
Frank finally released Gerard’s hand as they left the theater. Gerard briefly missed the warmth, but once they got outside, he tentatively offered his arm to Frank, who took it with a grin. They talked while walking back to their apartment building, and Gerard was surprised by how well it went; he normally found conversations with pretty much anyone to be incredibly awkward, but everything felt so natural with Frank. And Frank was one of the only humans Gerard had met that wasn’t constantly on edge around him. While Gerard had worried that Frank was nervous about being near him in the theater, he was starting to think that Frank’s nerves had a different source.
They entered the apartment building and took the elevator to their floor. After a few moments, the two left the elevator, and when they reached Gerard’s apartment door, Frank dropped his hand from Gerard’s arm. Gerard had to keep himself from pouting at the loss of contact. However, when he turned towards Frank to protest, he froze because Frank was so close . Gerard had been trying to ignore how good Frank smelled all night, but now, with Frank almost pressed up against Gerard, he was overwhelmed by the other man’s scent. Frank smelled so good ; Gerard couldn’t help it when his gaze dropped to Frank’s throat, which was just inches away. Gerard heard Frank’s breathing hitch slightly, and Gerard licked his lips. His eyes flickered back up to meet Frank’s, and he found that Frank was staring back at him with dark eyes.
“Gerard,” Frank said, softly, “I’d really like to kiss you.”
Gerard’s eyes widened as Frank moved minutely forward before looking back up at Gerard’s eyes from his lips. “Is that okay?” Frank asked.
“Yes, yes it’s okay, it’s definitely okay,” Gerard rushed out because he suddenly wanted .
Frank smiled before putting his hand on Gerard’s cheek. Gerard responded by leaning in and gently pressing his lips against Frank’s. Frank had surprisingly soft lips, which felt warm against Gerard’s. Frank’s hand slipped back behind Gerard’s neck, pulling him in closer. Their lips moved against each other and Gerard was drowning in the smell that was so distinctively Frank’s. He felt high, like kissing Frank was some kind of super-addictive drug.
At some point, Frank went to deepen the kiss, opening his mouth more and pushing in a bit with his tongue. Gerard sighed gratefully into the kiss, feeling Frank moan softly in response. Just then, Gerard felt Frank brush his fang, and Gerard pulled back sharply. “Oh, God, I’m so sorry,” Gerard said, stepping back.
“No, it’s fine, really,” Frank replied, grabbing Gerard’s shoulders to prevent him from shrinking back any further. “Seriously, don’t worry about it, it doesn’t bother me.”
“Really?” Gerard looked almost comically shocked, which, paired with his slightly messed up hair and shiny red lips, created a picture that had Frank smiling at him adoringly ( stop that ). Frank nodded, rubbing Gerard’s arms soothingly.
“Gee, I honestly don’t have any problem with you being a vampire, we’ve been over this.” Frank smiled, waiting until Gerard smiled back before leaning in to press another quick kiss to his lips. “Now, I need to get some sleep so I’m not exhausted tomorrow, but I promise I will call you.”
Gerard, still looking a little dazed, said, “Wait, do you want to go out again?” Realizing what he said, Gerard pressed his lips together, blushing.
Frank giggled, “Yeah, Gee. I had a really great time with you, and, if you feel the same way, I’d really like to make this a more regular thing.” Frank looked so hopeful, so Gerard nodded quickly, making Frank laugh some more. Gerard really could listen to that sound forever. “Alright, I’ll see you soon, then,” Frank said, patting Gerard’s shoulder before he walked back to his apartment, turning to give Gerard a final wave before stepping inside.
Gerard took a moment to collect himself before he opened the door to his own apartment. Inside, he leaned back against the closed door, taking deep breaths in hopes of calming himself down, though he wasn’t sure if that still worked if you didn’t have to breathe. He probably looked like an idiot sitting on the floor of his apartment, all alone, leaned against the door grinning at the empty room. He had a fantastic time with Frank, and the fact that Frank was willing to initiate things was making him more confident in his own moves. Gerard had been so worried at the theater, but it turned out that his date was possibly just as nervous. Comforting.
He only felt a little bad that he didn’t remember any of the movie.