Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

On sunny days like today Gerard and Frank always took a stroll to the park. There’s a difference in their trip to the park this day. The sun is shining more than usual, the sky is clear of any clouds, and the birds are in formation. It’s almost as if the day was tailor made for the two boys who had known each other from childhood all the way to adulthood.

Frank watches as Gerard sprints quickly through the soft grass as fast as he can. Frank’s not only watching, though, he’s gaining on him. They’re racing to be the first one to their favorite swing and this is nothing new for them. It started when they were just two little boys in the park. Here they are now, all grown up in their late twenties, and taking a huge step in their friendship.

Gerard goes crashing onto the swing and turns to sit on it correctly before Frank can try and push him off like he always does. Gerard does a celebratory fist pump and Frank stands there with his hands on his hips trying to catch his breath. He points at Gerard and smiles slyly.

“You got lucky this time loser.”

“And I’ll get lucky the next time.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Frank goes to the pole and leans against it. He watches as Gerard starts kicking his feet off the ground to get the swing in motion. Frank’s mind begins to wander to when they first became friends, and it’s crazy how they’re still here together after all this time. They’ve literally been best friends since the age of eight. Well at the time Gerard was eight until Frank’s birthday arrived and he turned eight with Gerard.

“Remember when we first raced to this swing?”

Gerard chuckles and let’s his head fall back. His long hair sways in the wind as he swings back and forth.

“Of course I do. I will never forget that day. The first time I ever met you. It’s crazy how this never changed.”

Gerard gestured to the swing and then grabbed the metal in his hand to catch his balance after almost tipping off.

“Be careful there Gee. Don’t want your beautiful face ruined for your big day.”

Gerard rolls his eyes and starts skidding his feet against the dirt to slow down the swing.

“I still remember hating your guts that day, but still wanting to be your friend.”

Frank laughs as Gerard starts recalling the day that changed their lives forever.

********************FLASHBACK********************

It’s a nice summer day and Gerard’s running around like a wild animal in the park across from his school. Gerard’s parents are seated on a bench, a short distance away, watching him play and talking amongst themselves. There’s a few other kids running and jumping about, but Gerard’s playing alone like he always does. Gerard grabs his pail and shovel and climbs into the sand pit. He starts filling up the pail with as much sand as he can, and then uses his water and pours it into the pail.

When he’s done he flips the bucket over and lifts it slowly. Gerard smiles at his achievement and starts packing the sand tighter together. Once he’s satisfied with the first part of his castle he fills his pail to the brim with more sand. He smashes it in deep and then repeats his actions. Gerard calls out to his parents to show them his accomplishments so far.

They smile and wave over to him before continuing their conversation. Gerard turns back to his castle in progress and sighs. It’s moments like these where he wished he had a little brother, because then he wouldn’t be so lonely. None of the other kids took interest in him and he’s just a eight year old who doesn’t quite grasp the concept of making the first move yet. At that moment a shadow fell over Gerard and his castle.

Gerard looked up and saw a little boy who appeared to be his age standing above him. In his hand he hand a pail much like Gerard’s and a shovel. The boy looked at Gerard’s water and smiled suddenly. He climbed into the sand pit and crawled over to where Gerard’s water was. He sat his pail and shovel down.

“My name is Frank. Do you have a name?”

The boy smiled brightly and Gerard looked at him like there was something wrong.

“Of course I have a name. That’s stupid to ask.”

“Hey, I’m not stupid.”

The boy pouted and folded his arms across his chest.

“My mommy and daddy say I’m one of the smartest kids they know.”

“I didn’t say you are stupid. I said the question was stupid.”

The boy shrugged and picked up his pail. He started shoveling the sand into it and packing it in.

“You didn’t tell me your name.”

“Gerard.”

“That’s an ugly name.”

“It’s not ugly. You’re ugly!”

“Yeah, well you’re mean.”

“You’re mean too.”

The boys sat quietly as they kept messing about in the sand. Frank looked up at Gerard and smiled.

“That’s why you play alone right? You have no friends.”

“I have friends.”

“Where are they?”

Gerard shrugs and sifts through the sand with his shovel to avoid the little boy. Gerard thought he was a strange person and very mean.

“Want to be my friend?”

Gerard looked up at him and he was still smiling like he never insulted Gerard. It’s not like the little boy couldn’t use a friend so of course he said the only thing a desperate child would say.

“Yes.”

“Okay! We’re friends!”

“Friends.”

Gerard noticed the little boys eyes wander to his water and he grabbed it.

“Friends share right? So can I have some of your water? Mom and dad forgot to bring some for me.”

Gerard reluctantly gave the water over to the little boy.

“Don’t use it all.”

“I won’t.”

Frank poured the water into the pail and moved over to where Gerard’s incomplete castle was.

“Can I add this to yours? That way we can save on water!”

“Sure. That’s fine.”

Gerard watched as the boy added his part to the castle and started packing it. He smiled and looked over at his parents. There are other people sitting with them now and conversing. One of the strangers pointed over at them and then they all looked and smiled.

“Do you know them?”

Frank looked up with that same smile on his face and waved to the people. Gerard couldn’t help but wonder why the boy was always smiling.

“That’s my mommy and daddy. I don’t know who the other people are though.”

“That’s my mom and dad.”

“Looks like they’re friends too. Hey! Let’s get on the swing!”

“Okay.”

Both of the boys stood up, leaving their supplies in the pit, and started over to the swings. They both looked at each other as they realized it was only one swing left. Frank started walking faster and Gerard noticed. Gerard sped up causing the little boy next to him to start doing a little jogging walk. Gerard noticed and mirrored the boys’ actions.

Before they know it they are both taking off in a full sprint. Gerard’s ahead of Frank and he’s grinning to himself until he sees Frank’s head bobbing past him. Frank crashes into the swing at full force and laughs loudly. Gerard bumps into Frank on the swing and Frank turns around with this huge grin on his face. He sits on the swing the correct way and Gerard pouts and kicks at the dirt under his feet.

“I hate you.”

“You can’t hate me. We’re friends.”

“Whatever.”

Gerard mumbles and walks to the side with his arms folded across his chest. He’s still pouting until he hears the little boy start giggling. Gerard looks up and Frank is smiling brightly as he swings back and forth.

“I’ll let you get on next. I promise okay?”

The little boy yells down at Gerard and Gerard smiles brightly and nods excitedly.

“Okay Frankie.”

********************END FLASHBACK********************

Gerard jumped off the swing and started laughing as he landed. Frank joined in the laughter with Gerard. It was nice to reminisce about their first time meeting.

“Hey, maybe we should make a day of this.”

“Yeah. Let’s go get some snacks and come back.”

“Okay.”

Frank pulls Gerard up off the ground and Gerard wipes off his behind as they start walking towards the exit of the park.