the prostitute and the troublemaker
~[|]~
[there's some degrading language in here, I'm sorry]
"So, how long have you two been dating?" Eddie asked as him, Frank and Gerard sat down in the living room.
"I think we're at five and a half months." Frank mumbled with furrowed eyebrows, turning his head to look at Gerard who nodded with a smile, overjoyed that Frankie remembered.
Well, of course he didn't think Frank would forget or anything, but it was still sweet.
"Cool." Eddie smiled, he took a bite out of the apple in his hand, leaning back in his chair.
They had a few hours until people would start coming over again, and Eddie had come over to help set up and of course to talk to Frank. Sadly though, Fred had also shown up.
It wasn't that Gerard didn't like Fred- because he did a little bit, it was just that Fred made him so uncomfortable. He would always stare off into the distance, probably a side effect from all the weed, and Gerard would always be stood in the place he was staring at coincidently, and not to mention he was always being chippy to Frank which of course meant nothing good in Gerard's books.
"Where d'you work, Gerard?" Eddie asked through a mouthful of apple.
"Um I work in a diner." Gerard mumbled, feeling embarrassed all of the sudden.
He wasn't usually embarrassed of his job, but he couldn't help but feel like it was a dumb job at the moment. It made him feel like a kid, like he didn't have a proper job. He did go to college after all, and wasted his art degree to serve beans on toast.
God this trip was really making him rethink his entire life.
"That's awesome, I wish I worked in a diner. I'd at least know how to make pancakes." Eddie said with a sigh, making Frank laugh.
"Yeah, nearly burned down my fucking kitchen last time." Frank muttered, making Eddie throw a pillow at him.
"That's enough outta you, Francis." Eddie laughed.
Gerard smiled, they both acted like siblings, though all eyes turned to Fred as he spoke up.
"Just out of... sheer curiosity, where do you shop?" Fred asked, seeing as he was sitting on the couch opposite Frank and Gerard, Eddie sitting on a loveseat by himself.
The question itself wasn't really asked in a rude manner, but the face he pulled was evidence enough that he didn't like a thing about the clothes on Gerard's back.
Gerard frowned as he felt his heart drop a little, everyone had been so kind and welcoming up until now, he figured nothing would change.. but he supposed he was wrong.
"Um, I- the mall?" Gerard tried, his hands starting to sweat because he really didn't want to admit he got his small rainbow shirt and navy jeans from a women's clothing store.
He was only comfortable admitting that to three people: Frank, of course, Brendon, and Mikey. Not even his own mother was on that list.
"No which store. Cause I haven't been shopping in a while but I definitely don't remember seeing those clothes in the mens section." Fred mumbled, biting his nails as he spoke.
Gerard froze, not knowing if it was because of his nervousness or direct confrontation.
Gerard could hear Frank inhale sharply, and he looked like he was about to say something when Eddie spoke up.
"Fred, chill out." He said, his tone not so friendly anymore and more pleading.
Fred just rolled his eyes and looked back down at his phone.
Gerard looked down too, picking at his fingernails out of habit. He felt so awkward, and stupid, and mostly embarrassed.
"Don't listen to him, okay? He doesn't know shit about you." Frank said quietly to him, still looking upset.
Gerard tried to nod but it looked all too forced.
"Well, I'm gonna go up and look through Frankenstein's room for a charger." Eddie said with a small smile as he got up, his eyes sympathetic towards Gerard.
"I'll help you find it, it's a mess in there." Frank said with an embarrassed laugh.
He kissed Gerard's cheek telling him he'd be right back before following his cousin up to his bedroom.
Once they were gone Gerard let out a sigh, leaning back against the couch fully as he stared around the living room.
He didn't even realise Fred had moved to sit next to him until his voice filled the room again.
"I'm gonna be straight with you," He said with an impatient tone, "I don't buy that you and Frank are actually dating."
Gerard hesitated before his eyebrows furrowed and he tilted his head to the side, "Um... why not?"
Fred rolled his eyes in irritation, implying that Gerard was playing dumb. Jokes on him though, because Gerard was decidedly not playing dumb.
"Well, the hair, the clothes, the fact that you look like a twink? You're obviously just a really cheap prostitute, or one of Frank's bar friends." Fred said simply.
Gerard sat there, stunned for a few moments before he replied.
"I'm not a prostitute." Gerard said sadly.
He couldn't deny that it hurt being called a hooker. If he wasn't so uncomfortable he probably would have cried, or maybe run off, but something about Fred just made him incapable of moving or even talking properly.
Though Gerard did choose to believe that Frank wouldn't let him leave the house if he did look like a hooker... but maybe Frank just didn't want to hurt his feelings.
"Sure, angel." Fred laughed, "No but seriously, what can I get for fifty bucks?"
"Nothing.." Gerard said uncomfortably, yet trying to keep his tone stern and clear. He didn't want Fred to get any ideas.
"Oh Frank must have paid extra for the loyal shit." Fred said, and it really did seem like he genuinely believed Gerard was a sex worker.
Which was actually doing wonders for Gerard's ego.
"Well, tell you what," Fred said quietly, his tone a lot deeper as he leaned over to speak to him.
Gerard gulped.
"We just won't tell Frankie, okay? Because I'm sure I can fuck you a lot better than he can." Fred put a hand on Gerard's inner thigh causing his hands start to shake in fear.
"N-No-" Gerard squeaked, quickly removing Fred's hand from his leg.
Fred groaned in annoyance, "Don't be so fussy."
Gerard was biting his lip so hard he was sure it would start to bleed any moment.
"Come on, I bet you fuck tons of guys." He said, and he was about to place his hand on Gerard's crotch when Gerard jolted and moved back.
He didn't know what to do, he really wanted to call out for Frank— or maybe even Eddie, but he couldn't and he didn't know what he was going to do about it.
Gerard nearly sang in joy when Frank and Eddie returned.
"I said help me find it, not keep it you asshole." Eddie grumbled as he walked off into the kitchen.
Frank laughed and looked over at Gerard smiling, though his eyes shifted to Fred who was still on the sofa, smiling casually as if he hadn't just tried to seduce Gerard.
Frank's eyebrows furrowed and he signalled with his eyes that Fred was to take a few steps back from Gerard. Frank then took a seat in between them, watching Fred get up and follow Eddie to the kitchen.
"Hey," Frank said softly, and he went to kiss Gerard but Gerard just moved back.
He felt like he was going to vomit any second, and he didn't need to be kissing Frank when it happened.
"What's wrong?" Frank asked, his eyes bleeding with concern.
Gerard shook his head and looking down at the ground. He couldn't find any words so he just settled for pressing his head to Frank's chest, screwing his eyes shut as he felt all of the air left in his lungs whoosh out.
He didn't want to talk about what Fred had just told him, or where he had put his hand. He just wanted to feel Frank's heart beat.
Gerard didn't understand why he was always being treated like a slut, because he really didn't try to be, but at the end of the day he supposed it didn't matter, because when you dress and look a certain way, you'll always be treated like one.
"Gerard, please just tell me what's wrong." Frank said quietly, making Gerard sigh and lift his head up again.
"It's nothing.. I promise." Gerard felt like shit for lying to Frank, because this really didn't feel like nothing to him, but he didn't want Frank to know what Fred was saying to him.
Knowing Frank, he would just try to beat the shit out of him, and that definitely couldn't happened tonight seeing as it was Thanksgiving and Fred was literally his cousin. That wasn't exactly a good combination.
"Okay." Frank said, though he seemed quite skeptical.
Gerard just forced a smile.
- -
"Before we start, I think we should all go around and say what we're thankful for." Linda said happily, looking around the table that was full of Frank's family relatives. They had to add four more chairs just to fit everyone.
"Frankie, you go first." She smiled, and Frank smiled back at her before putting his head down in thought.
Gerard couldn't help but intertwine their fingers under the table, smiling warmly at Frank who looked up at him with his usual charming grin.
"I'm thankful that Gerard Arthur Way is in my life." Frank said softly, lifting his hand up to kiss it sweetly, "And that I get to call him mine."
People around the table looked at the two of them softly as Gerard smiled shyly to himself, he kissed Frank's cheek before sitting back normally in his seat.
"Okay that's enough cuteness you're spoiling my appetite." Eddie teased making Frank stick his tongue out at him.
Gerard chuckled.
With Frank being so sweet, Gerard couldn't help but feel less taunted by what Fred said, and how he tried to touch him, because he was very thankful for Frank too and he wanted to show him by being strong and not dependant.
"I'm thankful for turkeys, because God knows what our Thanksgiving would be like without 'em." Eddie laughed, licking his lips as he looked at the food for effect.
Everyone chuckled at that, and soon, it was Gerard's turn. He was about to open his mouth to basically repeat what Frank had said, when Fred, who was sat right across from him, spoke
up.
"I am thankful for red hair dye and tight shirts." He said with a high pitched nasally voice, making Gerard's entire face redden with embarrassment.
He swallowed sadly and looked down again, God couldn't he catch a fucking break from him?
No one seemed to laugh though, and it wasn't like Gerard could see their facial expressions, he was too busy drowning in shame because fucking fuck why couldn't he just have dressed normal for this occasion? Frank could've mentioned that some of his relatives weren't open to men in women's clothes, that would have saved him all of this shame.
Though in Frank's defence it did seem like Fred was the only one with a problem with it. Well, him and Aunt Cynthia, who thought Gerard was just a confused girl.
Gerard could hear Frank's heavy breathing, but unlike last time, he didn't stay quiet.
"Fred, apologise." He said simply, his voice low
and demanding and Gerard swore he could hear gulping around the table.
Gerard chanced a look up, seeing everyone staring at Frank and Fred.
Gerard squeezed Frank's hand, "Frankie, it's fine." He whispered, because there really wasn't a need to fight over a bad joke.
Frank looked at him, his icy glare dropping as he looked at Gerard's frowning and quite sincere face. Gerard tried to smile to reassure him, but fucking loudmouth Fred couldn't just shut the fuck up for two seconds.
Gerard was actually trying to help him not get his face caved in- and he couldn't just sit there and accept it, could he?
"I'm not apologising to that." Fred said stubbornly, gesturing to Gerard with his index finger.
Gerard would admit that he felt that one like a shot through his chest, biting his lip as he looked away from everyone again.
Before Frank could even begin to say anything, Eddie was the one to speak up.
"God, Fred could you maybe just not be a dick for two seconds? We're all trying to enjoy each other's company, and yes that includes Gerard's, and you're ruining it." Eddie grumbled, and everyone nodded.
Fred scoffed.
"So you're taking the side of some twink over your own family? Oh that's great." Fred mumbled, and Frank immediately shot up out of his seat.
Oh no.
"Say that again you fucking dickstain." Frank challenged angrily, leaning over the table.
"Okay let's take a calming breath," Linda said slowly, "and can we just eat please?"
Frank looked at his mother before sighing and sitting back down, crossing his arms.
Soon the food was passed around, and everyone started to dig in. It tasted really good, Gerard didn't think he'd ever tasted anything like it.
"This is really good." Gerard said to Linda who smiled, and soon everyone fell into conversation.
Frank turned to Gerard then.
"I'm so sorry for Fred, he's such a dick. I promise I didn't think he would show up today, I thought he'd be off with his friends or something." Frank whispered quietly to Gerard, who smiled weakly and nodded.
"It's okay Frank, it's not like I've never been called prostitute." Gerard tried to laugh, but Frank's face immediately hardened.
"What?" He asked, humour all gone as he stared at Gerard expectantly.
Oh fucking fuck, Gerard thought.
He really was a master of keeping secrets, wasn't he?
"N-Nothing, that just slipped out it's not—"
"Gerard, did Fred call you a prostitute?" Frank asked, again blunt and not seemingly joking around anymore.
Gerard bowed his head down slightly as he muttered a small "yeah."
Frank looked at him silently, weirdly enough with a sort of calmness that Gerard knew was fake.
"Is that all?" Frank asked, in that same neutral and quite void tone.
Gerard debated lying again but just shook his head with a sigh.
"He tried to touch me- well, somewhat. He wanted to have sex I guess." Gerard muttered, biting his lip as he looked down.
Frank nodded, and pressed a quick kiss to Gerard's shoulder before straightening out his back. And for a few seconds Gerard didn't think Frank was going to do anything, which put his mind at ease, but out of nowhere Frank spoke up to the whole table.
"Fred, I need to show you something in the other room, I brought you something from the city but I forgot." Frank said as cool as a cucumber, and Fred raised an eyebrow nodded.
"Frank, please don't—"
Frank just looked down at Gerard with a blank face, standing up and heading into the living room with Fred.
It was silent around the table as the two left, and Linda went to say something when there was a loud crash.
"What the fucks wrong with you?" Frank yelled, and everyone immediately got up and rushed to the living room.
Gerard could feel his heart ramming against his chest.
Gerard nearly passed out when he saw the scene, surely enough it was Frank holding Fred up against a nearby by wall, digging his nails into his shoulders as he glared angrily.
Frank was a bit shorter than Fred, but it didn't seem to matter, because with the aggression Frank was letting out, it looked like he could take anyone, and Gerard wondered if that's what he was like every time he got into a bar fight.
"What are you on ab—"
And right as Gerard was clinging onto the small piece of hope that things would go back to normal, Frank punched Fred square on the nose. Hard.
There was blood, so much blood, and the sight of it made Gerard's eyes water and his nose sting. He didn't really know what to do. He watched as Fred's fighting finally kicked in, and everyone watched as he punched Frank back in the face, making everyone gasp.
Gerard was about to run over and at least try to stop this fight from congressing, but he felt someone tug at his arm.
Eddie gave him a sympathetic look before cautiously squeezing past everyone and walking over to the aggressive ball of kicking and punching that was Frank and Fred.
Eddie pulled Frank off of the other and gestured for his father, or as Gerard had come to know him, Uncle Brian, to do the same to Fred.
Frank struggled against his hold, finally gathering up enough saliva and spitting angrily at Fred.
"You ever come near my boyfriend again and I'll fucking kill you." Frank threatened, thrashing around Eddie's hold.
After a long moment he was let go, and he looked around the room.
His furious expression softened as he looked around, Linda and all of his aunts staring at him with a look somewhere between sympathy and fear. His face seemed to deflate to shame and embarrassment, and soon Frank's eyes met Gerard's, and before Gerard could open his mouth, Frank stormed up to his room.
Gerard wiped his eyes that he hadn't realised were crying, and followed him, stopping when he felt Fred tug at his arm.
"Couldn't keep your mouth shut, could you?" He asked with a grumble.
Gerard didn't say anything as he simply shoved him backwards as hard as he could.
He rushed up to Frank's room, walking in to see him packing his stuff, well, their stuff.
"Frank, aren't you gonna—"
"Gerard, I'm really not in the fucking mood, alright? Let's just go home." Frank said as he zipped up his bag haphazardly.
And as he looked up at Gerard, Gerard could see the ugly black eye forming and the cut on his left eyebrow, and his hair clinging to his forehead.
Gerard frowned.
Frank just sort of shoved past him as he went downstairs, Gerard assumed to say goodbye to everyone.
When he was gone, everything started to set in, and God he hated himself for causing all of this, he really did.
He just couldn't keep his flap shut could he?
It all felt like a fever dream, he could've at least waited until after dinner to tell Frank, he didn't have to ruin everyone's Thanksgiving. And he knew that he sure as Hell ruined Frank's Thanksgiving, and the thought only brought tears to his eyes again.
Fuck Thanksgiving.
☹ ☹ ☹
we got 10k reads on this book!!
wowie that's cool
also sorry for the poor editing