Chapter Text
"Got you an early present!" Mikey announced, storming down to Gerard's room. The sound of creaky stairs coming to a halt when he ended up in front of Gerard’s desk.
Gerard peeked his head up from his work, already frowning. "Frank didn't put you up to this, did he?"
Mikey’s smile dropped. "For fuck sakes, do you really think I'd be bought out by Iero?"
"I honestly don't know at this point." Gerard tossed his sketchbook down. "The guy once gave my number to multiple-"
"Spam callers, I know." Mikey rolled his eyes. "And just so you know, I'm not on either side. You both need to grow the fuck up."
Gerard groaned, rubbing his face. "You don't think I've already heard that enough from Ray and Geoff?" Everybody knew Gerard hated Frank. Everybody also knew the countless pranks they had been pulling on each other.
In Ray's words, "You're gonna ruin our lives by attempting to ruin each others’." Whatever, Frank started it.
"You brought it up." Mikey pointed out, before dropping a pamphlet on his desk. "Merry Christmas."
Gerard's face scrunched with confusion when he saw it. "A Christmas Cabin? In the middle of nowhere?"
"Not in the middle of nowhere, there's a really nice small town close by. They get the place all decorated and shit, make it look like a Hallmark film." Mikey informed, which only added to Gerard's worry.
"Well how long is it for? Who's all going? I don't understand." Gerard’s mind started reeling, there was something Mikey was hiding. He could tell.
Mikey only shrugged in response, and started walking away.
Gerard shot out of his chair. "No no no, I need answers. What the fuck is this?"
"I made sure you were completely free from the 13th to the 24th.” Mikey turned towards him, obviously annoyed. “I don’t know why you’re so worried.”
"Why would I need a 12 day vacation Mikes?" Gerard pointed out.
"You could use it." Mikey shrugged. "You've been on edge, a vacation could be good for you."
"What are you hiding? I'm not gonna be alone for 12 days, am I?" Gerard scoffed a little bit. "I mean, unless you're going- Who all's going?"
"Gerard, please calm down." Mikey groaned. "I didn't think this was gonna be such a big deal! I thought you'd like a vacation, and it was kind of expensive-"
"How did you afford it?" Gerard cut him off.
Mikey cringed, "Can I say it's a surprise?"
"Am I gonna be alone?"
"No." Mikey shook his head.
"Are you going?"
"No." Mikey laughed a little.
"Ray, or any of our band members?"
Mikey went quiet, before finally saying, "No..."
"You bought me and Frank a couples vacation, didn't you?" Gerard deadpanned.
"If it helps, Ray and Geoff chipped in!" Mikey cringed, raising his hands in defense. "And the couple's cabin was the cheapest... And it's nonrefundable."
"Holy shit!" Gerard buried his face in hands before looking up again. "Why 12 days? I can't be around him for that long! He'll kill me!"
Mikey started to laugh a little.
"What?!" Gerard shouted.
"I did a day for every prank you two pulled." Mikey then burst out into laughter. "Everytime! Shit- Everytime you guys would complain to me, I'd write it down."
Gerard was taken aback. "Only 12? I swear it was more than that..."
"Well let's hope it stays at 12." Mikey laughed, having to catch his breath. "I don't think Pencey Prep or My Chem could survive another one of your shenanigans."
"You act like I'm the only one."
"It takes two to dance."
"Get the fuck out!" Gerard yelled as he started to shove Mikey out of his room. Mikey just continued laughing.
How was he gonna make it to Christmas? Gerard had no idea.
-
It was back in May when Nancy Drew performed their very last show. Gerard, Mikey, and Ray were freaking out because their rhythm guitarist contracted a stomach flu. They were performing in less than 24 hours.
"I got this." Ray said calmly, pulling out his flip phone, and calling around.
"You really think you can find someone by tomorrow?" Mikey asked, while Gerard fidgeted with the pen in his hands.
"I know the scene, I'll find someone." Ray continued, not as worried as them. He turned around, making it obvious someone picked up the phone.
Mikey turned to Gerard, "See I can't tell if he's just being positive or if actually knows people. You never know."
Gerard shrugged with a laugh. "He's probably just being positive. Worse comes to worse we still have most of the band. It's just a shitty pop punk band anyway-"
"I found someone!" Ray turned back around, closing his phone. "Told you guys you didn't need to worry."
"Well shit, that's great Ray!" Mikey smiled, "Who is it?"
"Frank Iero, he plays with Pencey Prep."
"Oh yeah! He's cool." Mikey then tapped Gerard's shoulder. "Have you met him yet?"
"No, but I have heard them play." Gerard mumbled. "He's the lead singer right?"
"Yeah, he's a great performer." Ray nodded. "Plus, it won't take him long to learn the music."
Ray was right, because Frank was able to learn the whole set before their soundcheck. Gerard couldn't help but notice how well they seemed to work together, and it made him feel more hopeful about the situation. That was until they started performing for a bunch of kids at a skatepark.
Frank put everything into his performance, flinging himself around the stage, and causing chaos everywhere he went. It was actually pretty amazing to see close up. Gerard even thought he could get used to performing with him.
Taking his mic off the stand, he started singing towards Frank who was throwing him a giant grin. He looked so hot with sweat dripping from his dark hair, and his piercings catching the light.
Gerard found himself putting more effort into his performance. Trying to match the energy Frank was projecting on stage. For the first time in a long time he actually started putting his all into singing. Something he hadn't done since he was a kid.
He started moving towards Frank, the movement almost feeling magnetic. If he was acting like this to a song he didn't give two shits about, what would it be like if they were performing to a song he had put his heart and soul into?
Frank walked forward too, the end of the song was approaching. Gerard almost wondered if Frank was going to kiss him.
That was until Frank grabbed his mic stand as soon as the song ended. Flinging it into the air and landing it right into their drummer. Breaking part of the kit.
The next song still started, with their drummer playing what he could without one of his kits. Gerard strutted forward, and Frank kicked him right in the balls. It was the most chaotic performance Gerard had ever been a part of, and it marked the end of the band.
Their drummer quit as soon as the set ended.
"Wait! Come back!" Mikey chased after their very pissed off drummer. Ray went after him as well.
Gerard, with ice against crotch, sat alone next to Frank who held frozen peas to his foot. While Gerard was upset, Frank was laughing hysterically as if none of this was his fault. Gerard was rightfully pissed off.
“Guy’s obviously never been to a hardcore show.” Frank smirked, and that’s when Gerard saw a side of him he absolutely hated. This guy was so fucking cocky.
"Okay, what the fuck man." Gerard finally broke his silence.
"What? You and I both know I wasn't trying to break his drum set."
"I don't know what the fuck you were trying to do, I don't know you." Gerard knew he was being an asshole, but Frank wasn’t the one icing his balls.
"Okay, fine, I'm sorry." Frank smiled, before eyeing his crotch. "Not just for the drummer."
Gerard rolled his eyes, trying not to let Frank's gaze bother him. "Whatever."
Mikey came back in a huff, and Ray seemed pretty tired as well.
"So... Do we still have a band?" Gerard asked.
Ray shook his head. "Nancy Drew's done for."
Gerard shot Frank a glare, and Frank only cringed in response.
"Oopsies." He said before laughing. "Bright side though, you can always start a new band…"
Gerard then looked at Mikey, it was a look Mikey knew too well.
"No, that band name is sacred, and you're not ready for it."
Gerard groaned in response.
The end of the band did start something new though. An ongoing hatred Gerard had for Frank.
-
When December 13th came, Gerard's anxiety was through the roof. He could barely be in a room with Frank for more than two seconds without something bad happening. This was gonna be chaos, and Gerard guessed it was gonna be the most stressful vacation he'd ever be on.
"I can't do this." Gerard stated, sitting in the passenger's seat as Mikey drove him to the cabin. "I can't."
"You two need to learn how to be around eachother." Mikey reasoned. "Honestly we should've done this way sooner."
The scenery around them started getting more dense with trees, and the lights that were hung up by the local community, more bright. It would've been a peaceful sight if Gerard didn't feel like his heart was gonna explode in his chest.
"Are we almost there?"
Mikey let out a laugh, "Yeah, don't worry, we're only a few minutes away."
Just fucking great.
The worrying only started getting worse when the cabin came into sight. It was surrounded by the greenery of pine trees, and looked like it was completely made out of wood. There were already white fairy lights decorating the outside, and from the outside looking in, the inside looked like it was decorated too.
"It's really nice right?" Mikey asked, and Gerard shot him a scowl.
Gerard grabbed his bag out of the car. "If I die, it's your fault."
Mikey just laughed in response, "Have fun! I better get going before Frank gets here."
"Whatever." Gerard scoffed, before closing the car door.
Mikey waved to him as he backed out.
Turning back towards the cabin, Gerard felt himself start to shiver. The wind was chilly that evening, but he could tell it hadn't been snowing yet. Walking up to the door, Gerard then realized he didn't have any way to get inside. "Well shit."
That's when he saw headlights come through, and the muffled sound of yelling. Ray had pulled in, and Frank immediately jumped out of the passenger seat.
"12 days!? Are you fucking serious Toro!" Frank hopped over the hood of the car to get to the driver's side, and yanked open the door. It was actually impressive how fast he could move, Gerard thought to himself.
Ray got out, "I told you! I have it covered!"
"Did you even think to ask if I was okay with this?!" Frank continued yelling as Ray seemed to push past him.
"I knew I couldn't convince you, so this was my next best option." Ray responded, before locking his car.
"I can't fucking believe this!" Frank yelled, and they both came up to the door.
"Uhm," Gerard stood at the door awkwardly. "It's locked."
Ray handed him a key, "Sorry, I'm friends with the owner, and I stopped by earlier."
Frank scoffed, "Great, you probably broke the bed just to rub it in our face. Great work Raymond."
Ray let out a long sigh, before seemingly calming down. "Check out is Christmas Eve at 8am. If anything happens you can contact me or the owner. Her number is on the fridge. Don't do anything stupid."
"Wouldn't dream of it." Frank gave a mocking grin.
"Good, then we're all set!" Ray smiled, obviously over the whole situation. He started walking away, before turning around and yelling. "Beware of the mistletoe on your way in!"
Frank scoffed, turning towards Gerard. "What an asshole."
Gerard just sighed, opening the door to the cabin. The smell of warm cinnamon hit him immediately as well as the heat from the already lit fireplace. As previously thought, the place was already decorated, with a fake Christmas tree in the corner of the room.
"It's like the holidays just puked in here." Gerard said, more in surprise than anger.
Frank just scowled at Gerard as he closed the door. He pushed past Gerard to get to the kitchen that was open to the living room. The only thing separating the two rooms being a counter that had bar stools under it.
"Oh come on, you can't still be mad at me." Gerard followed Frank to the kitchen. This was one of the things Gerard was worried about. Frank blowing the whole situation out of proportion. Then again, he was just as pissed off, so he couldn’t blame Frank.
"Oh I sure as hell can." Frank huffed. "You gave me a spider, I wouldn't give a spider to my worst enemy."
"I didn't-" Gerard started to yell, but then quickly took a deep breath. Trying to regain himself. He wasn’t going to be the reason this turned to shit. "Look, I didn't mean to. I gave you a basket of rotten fruit, there's a difference."
"There were worms too. Who fills a basket with mainly pears anyway? A psychopath, that’s who." Frank complained, walking up to the fridge. That's when he pulled off a sticky-note that was left on the fridge. He let out a laugh. "Goddamn, Ray can't be mean even if he tried." Frank placed it on the counter next to the fridge for Gerard to read.
Didn't want you guys to starve, remember that grocery stores exist - Ray
Gerard couldn't help but smile. He stood next to Frank as he opened the fridge to reveal that it was fully stocked.
"Oh hell yeah!" Frank grinned, taking out a bag of cheese, and eating straight from the bag.
"Hold on, what are you doing?" Gerard snatched the bag from him. "I'm also living here."
Frank scowled at him before turning around and looking through the cabinets. "I only know how to make a few things. Is Alfredo alright?"
Gerard scoffed, "I don't know, you might poison it."
Frank laughed putting a pan down on the stove. "I can just make enough for myself if you're gonna complain."
"Fine." Gerard said before looking around. "Is there anything you want me to do?"
"I know you'd rather just watch."
"I'm not that lazy." That was a lie, he never cooked for himself unless it was ramen.
Frank started cutting a clove of garlic. "Nah, you probably just like staring at my ass."
Frank was joking. Gerard knew Frank was joking. It still didn't stop him from completely choking on his words. "F-fuck you."
Frank just laughed in response, adding the chopped garlic to the pan of melted butter. "I also must warn you, I make the best alfredo. It might cause you to want to live with me longer."
Gerard just let out a sigh. He hated when Frank’s words affected him. He hated watching Frank cook. He hated how he noticed the distance between the two of them. Maybe he could rub butter on all the utensils in the kitchen so he could make fun of Frank for not being able to hold any of them.
Okay, maybe his friends were right. Things were getting out of hand.
Gerard broke the awkward silence, "Well I'm gonna go figure out if the tv works. Watch a Christmas film maybe?"
"What are you going to watch?"
"I'm actually in the mood for Frosty The Snowman. That was Mikey’s favorite when we were younger."
Frank cringed, adding noodles to water. "That's like the worst one."
"Okay, you know what fine, what Christmas film would you wanna watch?" Gerard was gonna be the better person. Even if he now wanted to rub butter all over the floor just to watch Frank trip on himself.
"I don't like Christmas movies, we should watch an actual movie. Like..." He seemed to think about it. "Nightmare Before Christmas."
"I'm not talking to you about this." Gerard turned around.
"What? Is Nightmare Before Christmas a Halloween movie to you or something?" He seemed a little offended.
Gerard turned around quickly. "No! It's a November movie, just like Edward Scissorhands. They're the perfect in between movies, not Christmas films."
Frank looked a little dumbfounded, "Wow... Were you also the type of guy that color coded your folders for your classes?"
"What are you talking about?" Gerard was starting to get irritated.
"You know, every subject has its own color. Were you the type of guy who always needed certain colored folders?" Frank asked, stirring the pasta.
"Okay, it's not my fault math is always yellow, history's always red, and science is always blue. Unless it's Biology then it's green, or Psychology then it's purple."
"Wow, how riveting." Frank mumbled, obviously more interested in the alfredo sauce, and how much cheese he could add before it was just cheese. He ended up using the whole bag.
"I don't know why I'm talking to you." Gerard concluded. "You're never interested in what I have to say."
"That's not true. I'm always interested in what you have to say about me." Frank turned to him with a smile. "It's funny how you're always mad at me. Except when you gave me that spider, that was not funny, that was pure evil."
"Whatever, I'm leaving now."
"No need, I'm done." Frank stated before getting out bowls. That's also when Gerard realized how many unnecessary dishes Frank used.
"Did you really have to use that many plates, and measuring cups?" He looked into the not empty sink.
"Stop complaining, and just eat the damn food." Frank shoved a bowl of pasta into his hands. He also grabbed himself a cup, and filled it with water.
Gerard sighed, sitting at the half-counter half-bar. Frank sat on the other side, and started to eat quickly. "You don't need to inhale it."
Frank looked up at him, wiping his mouth. "Oh yeah I do. I'm lactose intolerant."
Gerard started laughing, "Then why make alfredo?"
"Again, I make the best damn alfredo. I just need to eat a good amount before I feel sick." Frank explained continuing to eat the toxic pasta.
Gerard shook his head before eating his own. It was really good, and he couldn't help but smile to himself. He then looked up, noticing the mistletoe above them. Gerard realized Ray could've taken it down, but he chose to keep it up. What a dick.
"Did you look up yet?" Gerard asked Frank, who was now not looking too hot.
"Ha! What an asshole." Frank laughed. "Is this your way of telling me you wanna kiss me?"
"Wouldn't dream of it." Gerard laughed. He tried not to let the comment get to him.
Frank leaned closer, "Come on, holiday rules, you gotta kiss me pansy!"
Gerard dropped his fork in frustration, "Why do you always call me that?"
"What, you don't like pet names?" Frank smirked.
"That's like me saying-" Gerard leaned forward, and mocked. "Come kiss me ya' brat!"
"Awe." Frank laughed. "That's actually cute coming from you."
"I'll have to use it more often then." Gerard joked, then realizing how close they were. He was leaning a bit too far forward when Frank put his hands on his face.
"Ah fuck!" Gerard pulled back. "Your hands are so cold!"
"I've been waiting to do that!" Frank laughed, before holding his stomach. "Fuck..."
"Go on, you've obviously had enough." Gerard took his bowl.
Frank hopped off the chair, "I'll be back."
Gerard laughed as Frank left the room. He then looked at the bowls of half eaten pasta and smiled. Maybe Frank wasn't as bad as he thought. It felt wrong to admit that to himself. He always had to hold himself back around Frank.
He stood up, walking over to the sink. Gerard wasn't known for washing dishes, or taking care of his surroundings for that matter. However, he decided to wash the dishes to give himself something to do. It was actually relaxing, especially with the cabin being so quiet.
Well that was until Frank came back a little while later. "Who said you could do the dishes?"
Gerard shot him a look, "Who said you could use an unholy amount of dishes when cooking?"
"Fuck you, you're not allowed to be nice." Frank laughed, walking to the spot next to him. "Here, let me dry dishes. Can’t have the guys think you were the only one being nice around here."
"If you insist." Gerard said, and decided to stay quiet.
The peaceful silence he had before seemed to return. Well, until Frank grabbed a spoon and stuck it under the running water.
"Hey!" Gerard backed up as the water splashed on him.
Frank just laughed, wiping off the spoon. "Sorry, you looked a little too dry."
Gerard decided to just ignore Frank. Obviously he was trying to be annoying, but that was always part of their history. So he just continued washing dishes, including the cup Frank had gotten out. He set it aside for Frank to dry, but it ended up back under the faucet.
"What are you-" Frank poured the water over his head then stood in front of him. Blocking the sink. "Okay, what the fuck."
"You take forever washing dishes." Frank explained with a pout.
Gerard groaned, wiping the water off his face. Now he'd have to change. "Why do you always have to be so insufferable?! It’s like you always need to be the center of attention!"
Frank's expression dropped. "You started it."
"How?! I never did anything to you!"
"You and I both know that's not true." Frank said flatly. He was right, Gerard knew it deep down. "We're not staying here for twelve days, are we?"
Gerard shook his head, "Should we leave in the morning?"
Frank's gaze dropped to the floor, "I think that would be best."
That's when Gerard noticed something out the window. "Hey, look at that." He tapped Frank's shoulder, and pointed.
Frank turned, and Gerard stood beside him staring out the window. It was starting to snow.
"I think it's the first one of the season." Gerard said mindlessly, and Frank nodded along.
"Suppose our friendship did start with the snow, wouldn’t that be a story?”
Gerard laughed, "Like you wanna be friends. I now have to change because of you."
"Maybe that was all part of my master plan." Frank replied calmly, and Gerard just laughed more.
"Like I'd change infront of you, you're so full of shit." Gerard backed up, before realizing something. "I'm also getting first dibs on the room." He said quickly, before darting to the hall.
"You little shit!" He heard Frank yell behind him, and he couldn't help but laugh.
There was a bathroom on the right, a random closet on the left, and then what he discovered to be the main room. Aka the only bedroom. Gerard stared at it a little shocked.
The room had a bear theme for some reason, and there was only one bed. This cabin was made for couples, not two guys in shitty punk bands who hate each other.
Frank appeared beside him also looking just as shocked. "Wow, our friends really hate us."
Gerard sighed, "I'll take the couch."
"Oh no you don't!" Frank shoved him into the room. "It's my turn to be nice, pansy!" He then ran out of the room.
"Whatever brat." Gerard sighed. What a weird day it had been. He knew it wouldn't last. They'd leave in the morning, and everything would be normal again. Hopefully.
Frank was going to drive him crazy.