12

                                    

                                          
Come down. I'm at your house :)
                          
Gerard saw the text Frank sent him. He arranged his hair in the mirror for the last time, making sure he was perfect. "Frank's here. I have to go" Gerard said as he turned over to Mikey. "Alright, have fun, okay? If you need anyway or something went wrong, you know who to call" Mikey smiled as he gave Gerard a last hug before he walked down the stairs and opened the door. 
                          
"Hey, dipshit" Gerard said as he smirked, seeing the younger boy stare at him like he'd seen a ghost. "Hi.. you look nice" Frank nervously said as he stuffed his hands in his jean pockets. "Thanks.. you too" Gerard said as he closed the door behind him. Frank put his hand out. 
                          
"Umm..." Gerard awkwardly said as he looked back and forth from Frank and his hand. "Do you want to hold me hand?.." Frank said as Gerard mentally hit himself. How stupid could he be that he didn't even realize that Frank holding his hand out meant that Gerard should grip it his hand. Gerard grabbed Frank's hand and held it by his side. He felt Frank's soft hand in his clammy ones. He blushed, enjoying it. 
                          
"Sorry about that. I just don't do this dating stuff a lot" Gerard said as they started walking to the park. "It's okay. Don't worry about it" Frank smiled up at Gerard. At this point, Gerard was literally shitting himself. All he thought about was if Frank and him continued this relationship, how the hell was he going to tell him? 
                          
How will he react? Will he make fun of him for it? Or tell other people about it? What if he literally just passed out in the middle of the date? Or he started feeling really sick all of a sudden? That's what bothered him. He couldn't focus about the date. All he could focus about was these little thoughts that ran around in his mind. Surely he was overthinking it but he was just scared. 
                          
"So, did you ever have a boyfriend?" Frank asked as Gerard just furrowed his eyebrows. "I know it sounds like I'm insulting you but I'm just curious" Frank continued. 
                          
"Well, as I said previously, I don't date people that often. The only relationships I had was with a girl when I was like.. thirteen and then with a guy two years ago" Gerard said, biting at his lip when he mentioned the last partner he had. They had a very close relationship. They dated for one year and a few months. Then... he got diagnosed. He took it the wrong way and left the older boy by himself. He didn't leave the house for a whole week until he went back to school. 
                          
"Oh... so I'm your third relationship?.. That makes me feel special" Frank joked as Gerard smirked. "Don't be so smug, Iero. This probably won't last long" Gerard said, immediately regretting saying it. "Why do you think that?" Frank spoke as Gerard's face fell. 
                          
"..because I think that if you dig deeper into my life.. you'll regret it" 
                          
"And why would I regret it?" 
                          
Gerard mentally cursed. He knew Frank would start getting deeper and deeper into that conversation. He had to find a way to escape it. 
                          
"Cause'.. umm.. stuff happened.. I'm not who you think I am, Iero" Gerard mumbled as Frank furrowed his eyebrows. 
                          
They made it to the park where they walked around a bit, seeing all the trees surround them and the children playing on the swings with their parents watching from the benches. They saw the flowers and all the different colours. It was a breath of fresh air for Gerard to see all this. Usually he's just locked up in his room, focusing on all the bad stuff that's happening. 
                          
He had to clear his mind. 
                          
They walked further, seeing the fountain in the middle of the field shoot out water. They looked around until Gerard saw a group of teenage boys and girl talking on the bench. His happy smile turned into a slight frown as he let go of Frank's hand and stuffed it in his denim jacket pocket. Frank looked at Gerard, confusion written all over his face. 
                          
That group that they saw weren't just a normal couple of friends. They all went to their school. They all knew this character that Gerard built to himself. If they saw him smiling happily and holding a junior's hand, they'll give him weird looks and actually think his whole persona was fake. He didn't want that to happen at all. 
                          
"What's wrong?" Frank asked as Gerard looked down. "Nothing. Just keep walking" Gerard continued as they walked. Frank noticed the group and looked back at the taller boy, knowing exactly what was happening. "Is it because of them?" Frank said as Gerard froze. 
                          
He didn't know whether to own up to the truth or lie about it. 
                          
He nodded. "Why?" Frank asked. "I'll look like I have emotion if I hold your hand. I know it's stupid but it's true" Gerard said as they walked past the group. "Seriously?" Frank asked as Gerard sighed. 
                          
"Yeah. I know you find it really fucking dumb but for them to not annoy me I have to look intimidating, you know?" Gerard mumbled. Once they got to a clear area where no one was in sight, Frank's arm wrapped around Gerard's. 
                          
"Why are you so insecure about yourself?" Frank asked. That question felt like a bullet was shot through Gerard's heart. 
                          
"W-What?"
                          
"Why do you feel like you have to be intimidating?" Frank questioned again. 
                          
"I... I don't know" Gerard lied. Frank sighed, finding a bench for them to sit down at. "Can I ask you something?" Frank said as he pulled Gerard over to the bench as they sat down. "I think you've asked enough questions, Iero" Gerard sighed. 
                          
"Really quick... Do you, in your heart, believe that this thing between us will work out?" Frank asked, leaning closer to Gerard. "A part of me wants to say yes and a part of me wants to say no" Gerard looked down at his feet. 
                          
"Alright... but do you want this to work out?" Frank asked as Gerard automatically nodded. Frank sighed but smiled.
                          
"Gerard, if you want this, then you have to be honest with me. I won't make fun of you, I promise. I'm here to listen to your story and your side of the spectrum" Frank said, snaking his hand up to Gerard's as he intertwined their fingers together.
                          
"Frank, you won't understand it now. Please just don't mention anything. I'll tell you when I trust you more. I'm sorry" Gerard sniffled. 
                          
"I should be the one who should apologizing. I pushed you and I shouldn't have. I apologize" Frank said gripping Gerard's hand more. Gerard looked down at their hands and smiled, making Frank immediately giggle. 
                          
"Now, would you look at that smile" They both giggled. "Shut up, dork" Gerard said as he turned to him. 
                          
~~~~~~~
                          
"Today was great" Frank said as they started walking back to Gerard's house. "I agree for once" Gerard smiled. "I'm glad you're happy" the shorter boy continued. 
                          
They finally arrived to his house and walked to the front door, seeing the sky already starting to go dark. "Guess I'll leave now" 
                          
"Wait-" Gerard grabbed Frank's wrist before he could go. Frank turned round and smiled. "Will there be another date?" Gerard bit his lip. "Totally.." Frank smiled. He stepped up one more step on the patio and wrapped his arms around Gerard's torso. Gerard quietly gasped and slowly placed his hands on Frank's lower back, smiling into the fabric of Frank's sweatshirt. 
                          
"Don't get too soft on me, Iero" Gerard said as they both laughed. "I'll see you tomorrow" Frank said, letting go of the hug as he looked into Gerard's eyes. Gerard nodded, making Frank turn back and start walking off. Of course Frank, would've kissed him like he does on every other first date he went to.. but Gerard was different. 
                          
He could see it in his eyes. He didn't want to kiss on the first date. He wanted to hold hands and get to know the other person before he moved on. Besides he wasn't ready, considering the only relationships he's ever had were only with two people. He guessed he didn't want a one night stand sort of relationship. In the sense that they would kiss and fuck on the first week's of dating and then break up. 
                          
He wanted to go slow. He wanted someone he could trust. And Frank wanted to provide that.