Gerard stood leaning against the dirty counter, doodling on a used napkin in his poorly lit kitchen. A cigarette hung dejectedly from his lips as his hands flitted across the paper, the ink from his pen pooling in the rough shape of Frank's face. Thoughts raged in his head. He didn't know where Frank and himself stood. He didn't know if Frank felt the same way about him as he felt about Frank. Which was... He didn't know exactly how he felt about Frank but he knew that he had meant everything he had done last night. He wanted to be with Frank, to listen to Frank, to kiss Frank. He wanted Frank. He raised his eyebrows at this realization, staring down at the crude sketch on the napkin in front of him and wondering if he had always felt this way.

Frank lay on the tattered old couch, eyes following water lines and cracks in the old plaster ceiling. He was utterly out of his depth. Here he was, sleeping in the house of a man he had harbored feelings for for years, pretending to be uninterested. He didn't know how to read the kiss of last night. Friends kissed sometimes. Frequently, actually. This was nothing more than friendship. He tried to reason himself into a rational, friendly explanation of the events of the night before. But he was unable to. His thoughts were clouded by a certain artistic genius he heard banging around in the kitchen. Frank sighed and sat up.

A second later, a bleary looking Frank broke the silence that had lain heavy on the house since last night.

"Hey Gerard?" He called, his voice hoarse with sleep.

Gerard turned and looked through the doorframe between the kitchen and living room. His stomach was invaded by a swarm of butterflies at the sight of Frank, wearing only pajama pants and a lopsided grin. His hair was tousled and his eyes bleary, which somehow only seemed to enhance his look.

"Yeah, Frankie?" He finally responded.

"Is that coffee I smell?"

"Yeah."

Frank's eyes lit up at the idea of fresh coffee. He had been drinking instant coffee mix for weeks and longed for something with actual substance.

"Can I have some?" He asked.

"Of course not." Gerard responded, sarcastically chiding him.

"Pretty please?" Frank asked.

Gerard let out an over dramatic sigh. "Well I guess. Only if..." He trailed off, his brain stopping him, still afraid of rejection. He cleared his throat and turned away, desperately hoping Frank would let it drop.

"Finish that sentence." Frank put on his bossiest voice as he yelled out to the kitchen again.

Gerard's face flushed a bright red as he turned back to the living room.

"Come here." He said, his voice barley cracking. A part of him tried to grab back the words as they left his mouth, another part rejoiced that he had finally said it.

Frank stood up from the couch with far more energy than was necessary for such an ungodly hour of the morning. He threw the blankets back from his rumpled pajama pants, stood up, and stretched. He moved to walk towards towards Gerard, but had neglected to untangle his feet from the web of blankets. He tripped on his first step, stumbling comically forward. He stood up and straightened his hopelessly wrinkled clothes with a grin and walked the rest of the short distance between them.

"Yes?" He said, drawing the single syllable out far longer than was necessary. His face was full of a justified smugness. Perhaps he did have some idea of the effect he had on Gerard.

Gerard grabbed Frank by the elastic on his pajama pants and pulled him down next to him.

"You can have coffee. But only if I get one of these." He leaned in and gave Frank a quick peck on the lips, hoping that he understood the silent request behind the kiss.

Frank panicked. Again. He was unsure of what Gerard wanted. With all of their previous flirting and stage kisses, he had no idea how to interpret this gesture. He was internally halted. He resorted to his constant companion, humor. Often the easiest way to break the ice. Or at least, a gentler way to ask the questions that dry words could never articulate. He smiled at Gerard, carefully disguising the flutter of his heart and the sudden drop in his stomach at the feeling of Gerard's lips against his cheekbone.

"Well..." he said, appearing to think long and hard about Gerard's proposition. Every part of his mind screamed in affirmation, but he bid himself to retain his composure. "No can do." Biggest lie he had ever told in his life. He saw Gerard's face fall slightly, so he grasped wildly at an attempt to save the situation. "But would one of these suffice?" He playfully kicked Gerard in the ass with a shoeless foot, the sort of gesture that could go between friends and not cause any serious stir. Easily interpreted as friendly, but also easily viewed... otherwise.

"Yeah, sure." Gerard responded, forcing a small smile onto his lips. He tried to keep his voice light but could hear the barley disguised pain in it. He was slowly beginning to think that last night hadn't meant much to Frank. Maybe he regarded it as something that he could just shake off. It was stupid to think that Frank Iero of all people could feel something for him.

Frank turned his back toward Gerard, painfully aware of the slight injection of hurt in his voice. He knew Gerard didn't mean the kiss as friendly now. He busied himself with rooting through the dirty dishes in the sink, moving as if to rinse a few of them. He kept Gee in the corner of his vision the entire time, waiting until he was no longer looking at Frank.

Gerard stared a Frank's back for a bit, waiting for him to turn around and tell him he was wrong, that he wanted him as much as Gerard wanted him. After a couple seconds he turned and started rifling through the cupboards, for a lack of anything better to do. The moment Gerard's attention shifted from Frank, he whirled around as quickly as he possibly could and threw his arms around his shoulders. He felt Gee's shoulders tense in response, and he hoped he wasn't stepping over some unspoken line. He went up on his tiptoes to be closer to even in height and kissed the side of Gerard's neck. He couldn't see his reaction, as he was hugging him from behind, but the sharp intake of breath served as all the confirmation he needed. Satisfied with his antics, he released his bear hug and stepped back with a million dollar grin splitting across his face. Gerard stopped rearanging things and turned toward Frank, confused and happy at the same time. Frank hugged him again, from the front this time. He noted the way his head fit perfectly into the space beneath Gerard's chin. He snuggled his way into the embrace, then drew back to look upward at the slightly stunned face above him, framed dramatically by tousled red hair. He wore a happily expectant face that could have melted the heart of a serial murderer.

"So... Can I have some coffee now?"

Gerard didn't know what to say. He looked down at Frank, who seemed to think nothing had just happened. He didn't know what to say what to do. He wanted to grab Frank and kiss him, he wanted to punch him for making this so difficult. But instead he silently kissed his forehead and nodded, gesturing toward the small white coffee maker. Frank took the opportunity to happily invade Gerard's kitchen. He rummaged around in drawers and cupboards, looking for coffee beans and filters. He knew where everything was already, so it was a short process. He dragged out measuring the beans for longer than he could have easily explained as unfamiliarity with the situation. Once he gained the nerve to speak, he addressed Gerard without directly looking at him.

"I have a question," he declared, staring very intentionally at the brown beans in front of him.

Detecting the serious change in tone, Gerard quickly pivoted and once again busied himself rearranging the cupboard.

"Yes?"

"About yesterday..."

Gerard panicked, this was when Frank would tell him he wasn't interested. This was when he would get let down again. He paused as he realized he was whispering these things aloud and prayed that Frank hadn't heard him.

"What about it?" He finally asked.

Frank froze. The sound of the boiling water in the coffee maker had drowned out the slight whisper he heard behind him. He turned around and met Gerard's eyes.

"No, you go first." He said a little too hurriedly. "I didn't hear the first part over the coffee maker, sorry."

"I didn't say anything. What about last night?"

Frank let his gaze linger on Gerard. His worry must have shown through in his eyes. He desperately hoped it hadn't been some expletive of indignation about the events that had transpired. He exhaled and ran a calloused hand over his worn face, preparing to ask the question that could destroy his relationship with Gerard forever, platonic or not.

"I was wondering..." He paused. He didn't know how to ask.

"Well what i mean is..." He leaned against the counter and suddenly appeared very interested in the grain of the wood at his feet. He was aware of a hot flush creeping its way up his face.

"Did you mean it?"

Gerard was suddenly overwhelmed by the amount of things he could say at this moment. He hoped Frank was asking because he felt the same was as Gerard did. He hoped with everything he had that this was true. He didn't know though. But it's always better to be honest, right? He asked himself. He decided to be honest, he decided to take a leap.

"Yes." He said. It was barley audible but he had still said it.

Frank sighed with relief. That was the answer to everything he had ever wished for. He resolved not to press the issue. The coffee maker had finished, and he poured mugs for the two of them. He handed Gerard the black Metallica mug while choosing to keep the paint-staind SVA one for himself. He met Gerard's eyes as he handed him the mug, and found himself nearly hyperventilating as their fingers touched and the mug was transferred from hand to hand. He maintained eye contact, wanting Gerard to see the honesty with which he spoke.

"So did I."

Gerard's heart turned flips in his chest. A grin broke out onto his face and without breaking eye contact with Frank, he took a slow sip out of his mug.

The coffee sat untouched in Frank's hand. He looked steadily back at Gerard.

"Now what?" Gerard asked.

With his heart racing like a twelve year old, Frank set down his coffee. He slid a few inches down the counter to be closer to Gee.

"I was kind of wondering the same thing."

He smiled slightly evilly. Without warning, he formed a mental picture of himself. He must have been disgusting. He hadn't showered for days, was bruise covered and had dirt under his fingernails. How could be hitting on someone like Gerard in this state? He felt more than slightly embarrassed. Changing topics abruptly, he looked at Gee.

"Could i use your shower? It's been a while since I've been properly clean."

"I was actually thinking the same thing." Said Gerard. He actually couldn't remember the last time he had been in the shower. Maybe a week or so ago. He didn't know.

Frank hid his mortification with humor "Damn, I didn't think I smelled THAT bad!" He pretended to be hopelessly offended. "Like a knife through my heart! Good thing I'm not a teenage girl, otherwise I'd be sobbing about this for weeks!"

"About myself, silly." Gerard responded, smiling.

All rational thought stopped. If Frank was correct, and he usually was, Gerard had just indirectly asked him to shower together. But surely not, surely this was his imagination. Clearing his throat awkwardly, he attempted to save what he could of the situation.

"...Ah." Fucking smooth. Why did he have to be so utterly inept with words?

"Right. Well I suppose I'll let you go first, I don't want to steal all your hot water." Yes he did. But he wouldn't admit it. He distracted himself by picking at a frayed thread in the elastic strap at the top of his tattered plaid pajama pants. Another mental kick. Why could he not have some half attractive clothes? It looked like he was wearing his grandmother's old tartan.

"You know my water bill's been pretty high the past months, we should probably try to save a much water as we can.." Said Gerard, propelled by the knowledge that Frank had felt the same thing he had last night. There actually was chemistry between them.

There was no doubt about it now, Gerard was attempting to talk him into the shower with him. But no, Frank would take it too far. He couldn't be trusted with a very hot, very unclothed Gerard in such close proximity. He fumbled for something to say, some way out of this situation he had absolutely no desire to leave.

"Understandable, I'll just wait another few days! There's nothing a cloud of Axe can't suffocate."

Gerard forced a smile out onto his lips. His brain was turning circles on itself. He didn't know why Frank would tell him that he meant last night but so blatantly reject him right after he confirmed that. He walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind him, a frown plastered onto his face. He turned on the water as hot as it would go and started undressing. He chewed on his lip, letting confusion completely fill him up. As the mirrors started to fog up, he stepped into the shower and let the scorching water erase all the feelings in him.

Frank sat on the living room couch, poised for action. He had gotten a brilliant idea in the passing time between leaving Gerard and this instant. He heard the shower start and sprung into action. He had been to Gerard's apartment before, and knew he had some musical equipment buried under the leather jackets and feather boas. He managed to scrounge up a shitty old amp and a half decent guitar (A guitar he had never seen before. He briefly wondered where it had come from) and a few old cables. He dragged all of the heavy equipment right outside the bathroom door, plugging the amp into a single outlet on the wall. He turned every knob up as far as it would go, ensuring a foundation-shattering level of noise. He vaguely wondered if the guitar was even tuned. He began giggling to himself. He couldn't help it, he was fucking brilliant! What better way to break the awkward silence that had fallen than with a little dose of rock and roll. He hit the opening chord of "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and was immensely satisfied by the nearly overwhelming volume that hit the bathroom as he kicked the door open.

The screaming notes of guitar shook Gerard from his trance-like state, he frowned as his mind tried to piece together what was happening. He finally grasped that Frank was playing for him, and all the feelings that he had been feeling were eaten up by happiness and hilarity. He peeked out from behind the shower curtain to see Frank, still clothed in his pajamas, bouncing around playing a guitar that he had dug up from god-knows-where in his usual crazy manner. Gerard watched for a second before grabbing a towel and wrapping it around his waist. He stepped out of the shower just as Frank started singing.

"Razzle and a dazzle and flash a little light, television lover, baby, go all night, sometime, anytime, sugar me sweet, little miss innocent sugar me, yeah!" He was laughing uncontrollably which affected most of the lyrics but his guitar playing was amazing, as usual.

"Hey! C'mon, take a bottle, shake it up, break the bubble, break it up, pour some sugar on me, Ooh in the name of love pour some sugar on me, C'mon fire me up, pour your sugar on me ,oh, I can't get enough!" Gerard laughed as Frank jumped off the amp and started head banging as he went into a solo.

"You're going to piss the neighbors off!" Gerard yelled over the noise, laughing.

"What?" Frank yelled back, "I can't hear you!" He was grinning uncontrollably.

Gerard laughed and picked up from where Frank had left off, "I'm hot, sticky sweet from my head down to my feet!"

"Yeah i know you are!" Frank yelled out in response to the lyrics Gerard was singing, hoping he would continue.

"Red light, yellow light, green-a-light go! Crazy little woman in a one man show, mirror queen, mannequin, rhythm of love, sweet dream, saccharine, loosen up. You gotta squeeze a little, squeeze a little, tease a little more, easy operator come knocking on my door, sometime, anytime, sugar me sweet, little miss innocent sugar me, yeah, yeah give a little more" Practically yelled Gerard, he wasn't used to singing without a microphone.

Frank leaned in toward Gee's face, looking ecstatically mischievous.

"You want me to WHAT?" He winked shamelessly at Gerard

Gerard laughed, letting the adrenaline of singing and playing with Frank sink in. He leaned in to Frank, looking him right in the eyes and resumed singing.

"Pour some sugar on me ooh, in the name of love pour some sugar on me. C'mon fire me up-"

By this point, Frank was fully engaged and devoid of any hesitation. He walked over to Gerard and playfully licked him in the dead center of his chest and started moving upwards. Gee threw his head back as Frank passed over his throat, up to his chin. He pulled away, laughing as he continued to play.

"pour your sugar on me oh, I can't get enough" Gerard continued, his voice an octave higher.

Frank suddenly cut off playing, amused at the degree of effect his one little touch had had.

"What, changing keys on me there?" He threw in another wink for good measure. Why the hell not? Clearly their flirting knew no limits. Even in pajamas and towels, they were still ridiculously badass. Frank couldn't help but feel immensely pleased with the situation. He wondered if it was indeed real.

Gerard, the adrenaline leaving him, blushed and nervously grinned. He looked over at Frank as he set down his guitar, failing to turn off the amp. The tinny, clangy feedback reverberated throughout the entire apartment complex. Frank didn't care, and the amp remained on. Looking casually away, he called out to Gerard, suppressing a grin.

"Hey Gee?"

Gerard, not trusting his voice enough around Frank, looked over questioningly. Frank thought the grin on his face was going to become permanent.

"... Check your towel."

Gerard looked down, not surprised to find that his towel had slipped after all the singing and jumping. He was, however, surprised that he didn't blush or look away. He just slowly moved the towel over to cover himself again. Maybe it was because he knew that they were beyond the point of just friends.

" I mean, you don't have to cover yourself up or anything if you don't want to... i was just pointing it out"

Gerard just laughed quietly, he didn't really know how to respond.

For the sake of all that was good and holy, Frank knew he had to leave. He flipped his hair sassily out of his eyes.

"Well, I had better go eat some breakfast. just thought I'd... say hi." He took one long last look at Gerard, giving his eyes the luxury of roaming wherever they chose for a few brief moment. He turned and walked partway out of the room, pausing to look back with a loaded smile. He then whirled on his heel and clomped his way down the hall, on a quest for food.

Gerard had already turned away from the doorway, just missing Frank punching his fist into the air as he strutted down the hall.