the plan
~[|]~
Gerard had noticed something extraordinary.
He had noticed how Frank had been extra affectionate and clingy to him lately, and of
course Gerard didn't mind at all. He was just incredibly curious as to why.
Frank would sometimes show up at the diner, and somehow make this astronomically disastrous suggestion that they should make-out in the bathroom, and Gerard being the strong willed employee with a usually decent record, of course accepted.
Frank had also developed a habit of leaving rather large and noticeable hickeys on Gerard's neck, though luckily he cut them both a break and did that only when he knew Gerard was coming to the bar. Apparently he just had to make it known that Lightweight Extraordinaire, Gerard Way, was taken.
That was all fine and good in Gerard's book though, and he couldn't exactly deny that he may or may not have been all for being indirectly flaunted by Frank Iero himself.
A topic however, apart from Frank's mannerisms, that had made itself more than imbedded in Gerard's head, was that in a mere three days, it would be Frank's birthday, and Gerard had yet to find a gift for him.
Gerard had already planned a surprise surrounding the Halloween festivities, having already forced Frank into dressing up in a costume with him, and now having left only a plan for after the Halloween themed party one of Frank's friends was hosting. Gerard supposed it was a tit-for-tat, Frank would get all dressed up and Gerard would be forced into having an extraordinary evening with alcohol and strangers and of course Frank.
Gerard was worried, sure, the guy was always fucking worried, but he was more worried about what would occur after the party than during. Gerard knew it was probably nothing to stress over, but being stressed out was a chronic issue that had been a part of Gerard's life since the tender age of eight.
His plan, his miraculous plan, was to bring Frank back to the diner -of course having made sure to clear it of coworkers and customers, having made the deal of working four weekend shifts that he would normally have off- and doing what Frank had done for him on their first date.
Of course he wouldn't serve any food considering they'd both probably be tipsy and exhausted, but he wanted to be able to show Frank just how meaningful he was in Gerard's life, and he had decided that just this once, he would sing.
He knew he was probably rusty as fuck, and with the added alcohol he would probably sound like a dumpster fire, but he was going to try. Gerard knew that regardless of his singing he would eventually give Frank the cake he had made himself and the gift- something he still hadn't fucking decided.
Gerard was leaning more towards practical things than expensive, knowing that one, he couldn't afford them, and two, Frank wasn't really the flaunting-douche type.
Gerard was maybe thinking of even making his present, but he wasn't all that sure. He had made plans of going to the mall with Brendon, who had definitely ease-dropped on him talking to Mr Bryar about the diner arrangements, and had since decided that he was going with Gerard.
He couldn't exactly deny that he needed the help either, so Gerard guessed it would be fine.
He was actually waiting for Brendon outside of a changing room stall currently, the first thing on both of their lists being Halloween costume shopping.
Gerard honestly had no idea what he wanted to be, and neither did Brendon really, but Gerard knew that he wanted to look at least a little nice since it was Frank's birthday and he wanted Frank to be proud to show his friends who he was with- because Frank was of course way out of his league and he really did want to make a good impression on his friends. Also, he may or may not have been planning on kissing the shit out of him later that evening.
Brendon had actually suggested some of the more girls costumes, without any prompt actually, and as embarrassed and annoyed Gerard was, underneath it all he did find it a bit sweet. He was just looking out for Gerard, trying to make him feel comfortable.
What was actually making Gerard feel uncomfortable however was the fact that Brendon had picked out a "sexy Mario" costume, and before any question are asked, yes, Gerard confirmed, that did in fact exist and Brendon was in fact trying it on at that very moment.
"Now I want honest opinions, okay? None of that fake praise bullshit." Brendon said through the thin curtain separating them.
Gerard made a small snorting noise and nodded, momentarily forgetting Brendon couldn't actually see him.
"You got it." Gerard said after his moment of realisation, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned against the wall.
Not a minute later, Brendon was stepping out of the small space behind the curtain, throwing on a blinding smile as he posed oddly.
"What d'you think?" He asked, and Gerard honestly didn't know what to think.
There were overalls, that were practically booty shorts with suspenders attached, and a red cropped shirt underneath that definitely didn't leave much to the imagination, and of course the signature hat and mustach, which Brendon sported with a smile.
Gerard couldn't find another word to describe him apart from just blatantly gay. He looked like every stereotype labelled onto homosexuals ever, probably disregarding the pose because Gerard didn't remember there being a gay Mario ever.
"It looks like you sell meth in the parking lot of a Wendys." Gerard said as he stared at the costume, coming to the conclusion that the longer he stared the more his eyes began to burn.
"Okay, I can work with that." Brendon shrugged admiring his costume proudly.
"Can you really?" Gerard asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Gee, I appreciate the help but Brendon Urie, looks good in anything." Brendon said with another quick pose that made Gerard's eyes water in repulsion, though before he could comment on it, Brendon was twirling and rushing back behind the curtain, clearly certain about his choice of clothing.
Gerard sighed quietly to himself, knowing all well that as much of a dumbass Brendon was, he really did envy his confidence. His ability to wear whatever the fuck he wants to wherever the fuck he wants, and Gerard couldn't help but wonder. Wonder what he would dress up as if he himself had the inner self esteem to be anything.
Gerard's mind drifted off to those stereotypical, and quite girly, devil costumes, the ones he always saw the girls at his highschool wear. Or that costume of a police officer that had those cool sunglasses and police badge.
"You ready?" Brendon asked, interrupting Gerard's thoughts.
Gerard looked over at Brendon who was dressed back in his normal clothes, nodding softly sat his question.
The two of them soon walked out of the store after paying, and Brendon was being a particularly big thorn in Gerard's ass, by forcing into the closest Halloween themed-costume store that they hadn't gone into yet, and unfortunately for Gerard, the target for that store were definitely women. Women who didn't like the idea of covering up their indecent exposure.
"Brendon, we are not going in here." Gerard said through gritted teeth as Brendon pulled him in, immediately walking towards the adult costumes.
"Oh shush and let me help you find something to knock Frank's socks off." Brendon said, even going as far as to wiggle his eyebrows.
Gerard's face heated up slightly at Brendon's words, God he could be blunt.
"I quite like Frank with his socks on, y'know, especially with this event being a public one." Gerard said, blushing harder when his eyes found a rather revealing Wonder Woman costume.
Luckily Brendon didn't notice, and instead picked off a Ghostbuster costume, making Gerard sigh in relief. Though maybe he celebrated too soon because the next thing Brendon picked up was a costume directed of course towards girls, and it looked to be an American football costume with a navy blue jersey and tight white shorts, and even knee high socks that were stripped.
It was somewhat revealing, but it wasn't as if Gerard didn't wear girl shorts to work anyway, this time it would be for a more personal cause.
And beneath his surprised and blushing face, Gerard actually did like the look of the costume. It wasn't really everyday that he was so blatantly allowed to dress however feminine his heart desired, so maybe this was his shot.
Brendon didn't miss the look in his eyes though, that somehow happy, gleeful look, so of course he also selected a fighter-pilot costume that had a cute body suit with had rolled up sleeves.
"There you go, now go change and I'll rate 'em out of ten." Brendon said with an excited grin, hurrying Gerard into the small changing rooms in the corner of the shop.
Gerard didn't say anything as he practically collapsed into the small space, finally sighing and peeling off his black shirt, one that he had definitely not stolen from Frank when the two were having a movie marathon two weeks ago.
Once Gerard had changed into the Ghostbusters costume, he noticed one of two things; one being that it definitely made him look like a janitor, and two, his red hair almost made the light brown clothing look bland and dull.
So, going against what he believed in, he decided that it would be a firm no for the Ghostbusters costume.
He didn't really bother going out and twirling around for Brendon, knowing full well that Brendon would simply restate what he was observing himself, and of course being way too uncomfortable to twirl for anyone who wasn't Frank or god forbid Mikey.
Next was the fighter pilot costume, and Gerard actually really liked it. His legs actually looked quite nice and his bright hair seemed to compliment it. It would have been an easy yes from him, but unfortunately the fact remained that his was actually a women's costume and that there was a clear absence of... breasts. There really wasn't any other way to put it, the clothing sagged a bit at the Gerard's chest, and it made Gerard feel ridiculous and frankly, embarrassed.
No, he mentally recited.
Lastly was that costume he had initially liked, which was the American football costume.
He tried it on, and he actually found himself really liking it. The shorts somewhat complimented his hips and legs, and the jersey ended just above, having the number 83 on it with white print, and the sleeves hung off of his arms loosely. The socks reached up to just below Gerard's knees, and the blue striped across the top matched the dark blue jersey cutely.
Even Gerard's hair seemed to agree with it, and he even smiled at his reflexion as he added the small sweat band around his wrist that was also dark blue. Gerard gathered up his courage before stepping out from behind the curtain, and the moment Brendon saw him, he grinned wildly.
"That's the one." Brendon smiled, even offering him a thumbs up.
"That's the one." Gerard agreed, nodding, and he couldn't help but feel proud of himself for completing the first item on his list.
And deep down inside he shamefully hoped that the costume would knock Frank's socks off.
♛ ♛ ♛
the next few chapters are gonna be a bit long but pshhhh we do what we want in this house
hoping life's treating all of y'all well
sorry i didn't really edit this, so if there's any punctuation stuff just comment and i'll zoom correct that shit