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Chapter Text

Frank Iero was never the athletic type, so it was very unusual when he asked to “go for a walk” at 10:30 pm in an all-black sweatsuit and red converse so dirty you would think he took part in the exodus. Wired headphones sticking out of the phone in his front pocket, because he refused to leave the house with the 500-dollar air pod max headphones he received last Christmas.

Frank took the gesture as his parents’ attempt to ensure that the musical stylings of whatever local hardcore band he found off of Instagram would stay only in his room. Better yet, only in his ears. What he referred to as an “acquired taste” resonated closer with nails on a chalkboard to his parents, as the two could hardly put up with his own music. Not that he was a bad musician, more so his guitar playing was usually accompanied by rather obscene lyrics or incoherent screeching “vocals” which were more popular when his parents were either out or, unfortunately, on their way back in.

He tried, and failed, to hide the smile creeping onto his face following the reluctant "yes" he received. It didn’t really register to him that his parents were strangely okay with him leaving the house so late with very little details as to where he was going, why he was going, and how long he would be out. All that mattered was Frank going on his late night walk with little regard for the world around him. Morrisey in his ears and the moonlight shining down on him. The brisk autumn breeze in his face and hair.

All of which made for a great selfie.

Sometimes being performative was okay. Frank repeated it himself over and over as he pulled out his phone. There was no one watching him, or so he thought. He stopped near the entrance to the park and opened Instagram. As he lifted the phone up to reach his perfect angle, he heard a piercing gust of wind. It was too fast to have been caused by someone else, so he was definitely too thrown off to proceed with his picture.

He heard snickering behind his back, yet no footsteps. The voice snuck closer, and Frank slowly turned to where he believed it was coming from. He wouldn’t admit it, but he was getting scared. He started to think maybe a simple picture in his bathroom mirror would’ve sufficed for his followers. Frank heard that same gust of wind, except it was headed straight for him.

-

“All that ‘being alert’ stuff is for girls,” is what Frank would have told you about 20 minutes ago before he left the house. Yet somehow, he found himself on the ground and bruised all over in the middle of the park.

Enough feeling sorry for himself, Frank rubbed the dirt out of his eyes with his equally dirty hands then made his way onto his feet. He stood up and looked around the open field. Not another human being in sight, besides the two silhouettes appearing to run away that he chose to deem imaginary.

Frank dug around for the wired headphones he swore made him look cooler. Which is only because Mikey Way told him that maybe once, and he never let it go. Mikey Way was the coolest guy Frank had ever met. As soon as they met, Frank could tell they would be inseparable. So much so, that they would never beat the boyfriend allegations.

Frank didn’t seem to mind that part.

Just the thought of the stupid headphones led him to get lost in thought and would be a sight worthy of staring onlookers had it not been so late at night.

Frank got out of his head once he realized the damned thing was in the same pocket his right hand was so haphazardly placed in. His attempt at being mysterious instead left him feeling silly and shameful, so the boy walked home with his head low, shoulders hunched over, and most importantly: his aura depleted.

Chapter Text

Frank had been playing shows for around a year now. He had a feeling this was going nowhere, but longevity was never the goal. If you asked him, he would go on about his passion for music or the adrenaline rush. If you asked anyone else, he just needed another excuse to hang out with Mikey Way. They were best friends after all, and when you’re “best friends” with Mikey the two of you need to spend every waking hour together. 

Frank didn’t have a crush; he didn’t even like guys.

Frank could have whatever girl he wanted, and he got whatever girl he wanted. In actuality, “getting the girl” never made it past hooking up once or twice. Any attempt at taking the relationship further was thwarted, since ghosting is apparently a major turn off. It was nothing personal, really. Frank’s DMs were more of a cemetery for scene girls who thought they would be the groupie to make it. 

Frank managed to build himself a reputation as “the manwhore frontman from Pencey Prep who was probably gay,” and he found this out tonight. 

“Bro, I’m so not gay,” Frank laughed along with the rest of his band mates, “people just love to say shit.”

As straight as he was, Frank certainly thought some not so straight things. He could acknowledge how good Mikey looked sometimes. The way his hair was just a little longer at the sides, the way his shirts were just tight enough and hugged his slightly toned arms, the way his jeans sat low enough to leave the rest up to the imagination, the way he looked so intently at his bass when he played. He definitely got the hype. Oh and Ray Toro has really pretty hair.

The two spent so much time together, so it only made sense that Frank would notice all of these things. He was always finding something new, but he never realized it. The laughter died down and Frank found himself still fixated on Mikey. The two shared a brief glance, which became sort of a staring contest. 

Mikey wouldn’t look away, and Frank couldn’t. 

Mikey found the bond they shared to be special. He was no social butterfly, so there wasn’t much of a basis of comparison for friendship. Doing everything with your best friend felt standard to him. If other people didn’t get it, they didn’t have to. 

“You two want a room?” Bob snickered

The teasing might have made the two uncomfortable, but Bob was only looking out for them. In his own way, at least. It wouldn’t serve Frank well to be caught in a staring contest with the guy he can’t seem to get away from, considering he was now both a slut and potentially gay.

The venue began to fill up, and Pencey Prep was the opening act. They hadn’t gained enough of a following, for whatever reason, to get any kind of venue packed. Not even some hole-in-the-wall basement. They were all pretty okay with that, since it gave them a chance to enjoy the show as well. In Frank’s case, he got more time to “socialize.” Socializing which consisted of giving out his Instagram handle like this was the Oprah Winfrey show.

-

The Pencey Prep set ended, and Frank found himself in the midst of the crowd. He managed to make his way through the sea of people, and found Mikey hiding away in the corner as per usual. His back against the wall and his fingers sticking out of his pockets. An introspective expression on his face. An expression which was traded for an ephemeral smile once he acknowledged Frank. 

“Do you guys need a ride?” Ray asks, gesturing to the two of them

“No we’re covered,” Mikey replies with an equanimous nod. He looks over at Frank and his grin returns.

Frank could tell his stupid face was getting red. Not only did Mikey know he had no ride home, but he knew to answer for both of them. Who needed a boyfriend with a friend like Mikey? Why was Frank thinking about boyfriends? Why was nobody talking about Mikey definitely wearing women’s jeans tonight? He placed a hand on his forehead, and pushed back his hair. Maybe the adrenaline rush was wearing off, but the venue was suddenly getting really hot. 

Frank got out of his head and looked around. Ray and Bob were gone, and Mikey was waving his hand in Frank’s face.

“Frankie, are you good?” Mikey puts a hand on his shoulder, unknowingly bringing him back down to earth. “I’ve been talking to you for like, two minutes now, and you’re just gone. You hit someone’s cart or what?”

“No no no I’m I I’m-,” Frank stammers “I’m so good, trust. Fuck, it’s hot. Like, really hot.”

“Yeah no totally.” Mikey takes his hand back “Look, my brother’s here to drop us home. Ray took all of our shit thinking that you’d be going home with whoever the hell so we can just dip.”   

Frank just smiles and nods. He no longer trusts his muscle memory to make any sound decisions as he has suddenly reached his liquidation point while wearing a thin T-shirt in some frigid basement at ass o clock in the night.

Mikey leads him to the car and the two climb into the backseat. He grabs a zip-up off the car floor and promptly puts it on. “Freezing” he mutters under his breath. Mikey’s brother looks back at him before looking over at the empty passenger’s seat. The two stare stifled eye contact before the eldest opens his mouth:

“Mikey Way, get your fairy ass up here.” He barks the order as Mikey makes his way to the front of the car.

The rest of the ride consists of conversation between the brothers as the Smashing Pumpkins record, Siamese Dream, plays in its entirety.

“How was the set?”

“Good.”

“You score any?”

“Nope.”

“Aw man, no pretty boys in need of some company?” He chuckles and elbows Mikey

“Hey fuck off G, you can’t talk.” Mikey giggles the response out of his mouth

Frank knew that Mikey had “experimented”, but he never knew it was a regular thing. He was okay with his best friend potentially being gay– that didn’t make him gay. Why did he care so much, being “gay” didn’t matter. Frank Iero was not gay.

“Ohhh, is ‘pretty boy’ in the backseat?” “G” turns around to face Frank

“Run while you can kid” He pretend whispers before laughing hysterically

“Quit being a dick, you know Frank.” Mikey slaps his brothers arm

“So he’s a regular?” 

“No Gerard, you know Frank.” Mikey’s tone turned stern

Mikey made a gesture to his brother, and something clicked between the two of them. Gerard decided only to target his brother now, taking some time and only managing to conjure up a “liking men is okay Mikes” before the banter continued.

-

“Yeah, here’s good.” Frank spotted his house out of the car window.

“Night Frank,” Mikey chirped as he failed to look up from his phone “See you Monday.”

“Yeah, night kid.” Gerard added as Frank exited the vehicle.

He waved to the heavily tinted windows before the car sped off, then made his way inside of his house.

Frank couldn’t manage to acknowledge his parents who may or may not have seen him enter, not that he was looking anyway. Instead, he opted to head straight to his room and throw himself face first onto his bed. He let the warmth of the house just engulf him, and got comfortable before the pieces started falling into place. 

The hot girls aren’t the only ones who think he’s gay, it’s the hot guys too.

Chapter Text

The weekend felt as though it lasted years.

Frank wasted away in his room. Most of his time was spent lingering on a car ride which couldn’t have lasted longer than 30 minutes. It ate away at his mind, the hyperfixation grew with as the hours passed.

By the time he was back in school, he found himself ready to spew about a million different questions at Mikey. Do you like guys? Do you find guys attractive? Have you hooked up with a guy before? Do I know any guys you’ve been with? Do you wanna get with me? Is it normal to find guys attractive sometimes? Do you get those super low rise jeans on purpose so guys look at your junk? Frank’s mind was racing. Just looking at Mikey might have made him pop. Unfortunately for him, he spent the entire day doing just that.

The two of them walked home together after school, and Frank felt no need to let the questions fester in his mind any longer.

“So uhm, Mikey.” He mumbled, toying with the drawstring of his hoodie.

“Yeah..?” Mikey answered cautiously, tipping his head down to meet Frank’s gaze.

“Why was your brother,” Frank hesitates, “calling you ‘gay’ on Friday?”

Frank looks up to see the smirk forming on Mikey’s face. Mikey chuckles before letting out a sigh. He wraps his arm around to place a hand on Frank’s shoulder, and squeezes it tight before slowly rubbing it up and down. Frank could feel his cheeks getting warm, which he now had no excuse for since the two were walking alone down the sidewalk and Mikey had unusually cold hands.

“Well Frankie,” Mikey grins “I like making out with guys. That’s pretty gay if you ask me.”

He continued to rub Frank’s shoulder, his grip getting firmer. Frank’s face had gone completely red at that point. Mikey just admitted to liking men, and kept feeling him up as if this was common knowledge. It felt as though Frank knew absolutely nothing about his very own best friend.

“How did you find out? You know,” Frank swallowed, “that you like guys?”

Mikey finally released Frank’s arm

“Some guy at a show asked me if I was interested, and I said something like ‘maybe.’ Actually, it might’ve been a ‘yeah.’ This was a while back, beats me.” Mikey explained so calmly, as if this wasn’t a massive bombshell being dropped so suddenly.

“But really Gerard has no place calling anyone gay,” Mikey adds on “He’s actually like done guys before, like numerous guys. It’s not even funny.”

Frank had been over so many times, the Way house was practically his second. Yet it seems he’s hardly paid any attention at all. Now that he really thinks about it, he’s seen Gerard before. He doesn’t carry himself the way most straight bros do. There’s something different about Gerard, something different about both brothers. Maybe Frank is just attracted to them both. No he’s not, because that would be gay. Frank is still not gay. Frank is probably not gay. MIkey is gay– to some degree. That’s fine; this is all fine.

Frank looks over to see Mikey on the phone. Nodding and making faces as if whoever’s on the other end can see him.

“Yeah Frank’s coming over, no weird shit please.” Mikey says into the phone.

“I am?” Frank asks daftly

Mikey moves the phone from his mouth, “I mean I thought so. We walked past your house like, quite a few blocks ago.”

Frank takes a moment to become aware of his surroundings, and realizes he’s about one block away from Mikey’s house. Great. The absolute best place to be right now with all these overwhelming thoughts and feelings bubbling up is the house of two totally gay, totally not hot guys. Frank wasn’t sure if he could take it.

“My parents don’t care,” Mikey adds on “they probably aren’t even there.”

“Oh,” Frank spat out “Okay then.”

Great.

-

The three of them sat in Mikey's room, each indulging in something different. Gerard in a miscellaneous notebook of sorts, Mikey in his phone, and Frank in both of the Way brothers. Not only was he capturing and studying the features of Mikey, but he was doing the same for Gerard. Ever since being forced to assign a name to his face, Gerard has been a recurring cast member in every scene taking place in the Way house. How could he have been so oblivious? Frank is taken out of his head by the sound of the doorbell.

“I’ve got it.” Mikey says almost immediately, springing out of his chair.

He leaves the room, and then there were two.

Great.

Chapter Text

Staring was mostly harmless.

That's really all Frank could do. He was mesmerized by Gerard’s face. He was more pretty than he was hot. The way he furrowed his brow and pursed his lips while focused on whatever it was he was doing. The way his hair fell so perfectly and framed his face just right. Frank was getting hot all over again. This time it was justifiable, it was always hot at the Way house. Being alone with an equally hot guy was no help.

What was Frank thinking?

He mistakenly called Gerard hot so many times in his head, but he knew that wasn’t true. Frank did not find guys hot.

“Anyone ever tell you you’ve got a great side profile?” Gerard asks, not looking up from his notebook.

“No,” Frank chirps “I don't- I don’t think so:”

“Probably because you're too busy burning holes into their skin with your eyes.” Gerard replies

Of course. Frank just had to get caught in the most awkward way possible. He wasn’t just called out, he was humiliated in the process.

What Frank didn’t know was that Gerard had merely guessed he was staring. He hadn’t the slightest clue what was going on to his left, and only walked to break the awkward silence between them. What Frank also didn't know was that Gerard really did think he had a great side profile, and that he had spent the past 40 minutes trying to draw him from memory.

“Okay what if, and hear me out Frank,” Gerard began, placing his pencil in his mouth “I take a turn staring at you?”

Frank gulped, “That's fine, I guess.”

Gerard gestured for Frank to turn his head, and immediately he complied.

Frank tried to sneak a couple glances at Gerard and only found him staring intently. The same focused expression Frank probably pulled as he was studying Gerard’s features. The moment dragged on for ages.

“Yeah, it looks about right.” Gerard said as he got up and walked towards Frank.

“You like it or you love it?” He asked with a slight chuckle as he placed the book in Frank’s hands.

Frank looked down at the freakishly detailed carbon copy of his face sketched onto the paper before him. He didn’t know what to say. Now was not the time to gush over the extremely cool drawing this hot, artsy guy just made of him.

“Wow,” Frank said in a much higher pitch than he meant to “Wow bro this is, wow, I mean,”

Gerard snickered again before sighing, then he squatted down to be at eye level with Frank. The two were making intense eye contact now, neither one daring to break away. This time, Gerard wouldn’t, and again, Frank couldn’t. Gerard’s beautiful face was hypnotic; it cast a spell on Frank that he felt he couldn’t break free from.

“Those chicks call you gay because they want to be as pretty as you.” Gerard whispered as he tucked Frank’s hair behind his ear. There was barely any to tuck, so it felt more like he just ran his fingers over Frank’s ear.

Frank couldn’t help but blush, and smile because he knew he was blushing in Gerard’s face. He tried to keep the nervous laughter at bay, but it crept from his mouth the longer the two of them held eye contact.

“You know about the manwhore frontman from Pencey Prep?” Frank snickered awkwardly, unsure of how to respond to that. Had he been talking to a girl, Frank would’ve leaned in for a kiss. This was different, it was very different. Gerard was not a girl, yet Frank wanted nothing more than to kiss him right now. Guess he really was a manwhore now.

Gerard just stared, breathing down Frank’s face. He had no idea where his courage came from, but he wanted to savor this moment. Frank could pull away whenever he wanted, it's not like his grip was firm. Mikey could have been standing in the doorway the whole time, he only went to get the door after all. But worst of all, Gerard could’ve gotten hungry and Frank…

Frank looked absolutely delicious.

“Yeah, and he’s totally not in love with the actual manwhore bassist.” Gerard chuckled in hopes of making Frank laugh.

The widest, dumbest smile formed on Frank’s face, “Oh fuck off, I am not… gay” He hesitated again.

Gerard stood up, “Sure you’re not Frankie.” He walked towards the door. “Now where the hell has Mikey gone?” Gerard asked.

Mikey. Frank completely forgot. He was so enveloped in the smallest little interaction with Gerard that suspicions around his best friend disappearing didn’t cross his mind once. Maybe he wasn’t a manwhore, just gay and easy.

Pick a struggle Frank.

-

Frank made his way out of Mikey’s room after both brothers seemingly abandoned him. Not clingy at all, he was just scared they would never come back. Normal bro stuff. He saw the two engaging in conversation with a- no you’ve got to be kidding.

Standing literally with one foot out of the door was Gabriel fucking Saporta, and if he did anything he pissed Frank off.

Maybe his anger was a little toxic. Maybe this was a codependency thing Frank couldn’t admit. Whatever it was, it was not at all healthy. Gabe Saporta would not get off of Mikey whenever he came around, and Frank could not stand it. Even in that moment, Gabe had an arm lazily draped over Mikey’s shoulder, which was the likely cause for the awkward smile plastered onto his face. There was a little part of Frank that felt like Mikey was all his, and Gabe Saporta impetuously chipped away at that sense of belonging. At the end of the day, Mikey Way did not belong to him, and that was something Frank would, eventually, come to terms with. At the same time, the stupid fuck was literally getting pushed out of the door and still wanted to chat.

Go home Gabe, oh my fuck, Frank thought to himself as he watched the entire scene take place.

“Yeah and,” Gabe’s eyes met Frank, and it seemed as though whatever conversation he was having before was to be halted immediately “Frank Iero, my king, is that you?” He exclaimed.

You’ve seriously got to be kidding.

Chapter Text

Mikey knew how Frank felt about Gabe. He thought it was a little weird, but he knew. Anyone could tell really. Anyone but Frank that was.

Gabe was just… weird.

He was so loud, and so touchy, and so… gay for Mikey Way. As far as Frank was aware, Mikey was too nice to tell Gabe to get lost. Considering what he knew now, that notion could be far from the truth. Frank felt like a fool piecing everything together now. The two of them seemed way too close of friends for someone that Frank, Mikey’s actual best friend knew so little about. From the day Gabe started budding into their lives, he never left. Whatever bond he had with Mikey was so unbelievably one-sided. Gabe could talk his ear off and was ecstatic over even the slightest signs of life. It barely took a nod or “mhm” from Mikey to further enable his rambling. But the worst part, in Frank’s opinion, was the way he was treated.

Gabe treated Frank like his “little buddy.” He would greet him with an arrogant “FRANKIE”, and mess up his hair, before leaving him aside for the real target: Mikey Way. It was a never-ending and truly imaginary competition between the two for the prize of Mikey Way’s greatest priority, but Frank couldn’t feel as though he was losing. He had to try so hard to be “cool”, to draw out the slightest hint of emotion from Mikey’s constant stoic expression, and all Gabriel had to do was show up. It was painfully clear now.

They were so hooking up.

That would explain Mikey being so urgent to answer the door. That would also explain why Mikey felt obligated to stay and listen to Gabe drone on and on. That wouldn’t have been the case had Frank showed up unannounced. Maybe it would have been. Frank couldn’t think of a reason as to why Mikey would turn him away. It’s not like he was ever turned away on the many instances which he did show up unannounced. Frank felt so terribly insecure, and it was for no reason really. He had no reason to feel this way considering that Mikey had only ever shown him kindness and support.

Gabe walks over to Frank with his arms stretched wide and a dopey smile reaching from one ear to the other. The two of them share an expression signifying feelings of intrusion. Both of them ask themselves, “Am I interrupting something?”

“Frankie,” Gabe called out “what is up brochacho?” He added in his usual tone. He was so corny it hurt.

Frank was enveloped in Gabe’s embrace. Seeing the awkward smiles of both Way brothers let him know subtlety that he had worn out his welcome, and that as soon as he made it out of Gabe’s arms he was headed out the front door. He discovered something about his friend, and had no idea what to do with himself.

-

Frank took the rest of the day to let his best friend’s sexuality settle in. He ultimately decided that he had no choice but to take it as fact, and never bring it up again. They were on perfectly fine terms prior to this revelation, so nothing had to change now. There was no reason that who and what Mikey liked to do in his free time had to be any of Frank’s concern. There was nothing wrong with liking guys, so it wasn’t a big deal.

Guys, guys, guys.

Frank couldn’t just ignore this, no matter how badly he wanted to. He immediately brought it up to Mikey.

“Mikey I have a question.” The words spilled out of his mouth.

Mikey shot him a nod

“So you and Gabe…”

Mikey cut him off with a swift sigh, “Yes, we’ve hooked up. No, he won’t leave me alone. No, there’s nothing I can do about that. No, he wasn’t my awakening. Yes, we still hook up sometimes.Yes, I know that’s why he won’t leave me alone. Yes, it’s extremely casual. No, there's no ‘butt stuff.’ No, I don’t jerk off to you.” He exhaled the words as if he practiced them in the mirror

“Anything else you wanna know?”

Frank was too appalled to respond immediately.

“You just have that memorized, or-” Frank managed to get out

“You’re not the first Frankie,” Mikey beamed. “Also don’t apologize; it’s just awkward, and I don’t know what to say.”

The two carried on walking. Frank felt like an idiot. Of course he wasn’t the first to find out that his best, and basically only, friend liked men. It’s hard enough being the gay kid in suburbia, and now it’s affecting your relationships. Quite the asshole, he was. He couldn’t help but linger on his last point. Why would he want to know if Mikey jerks off to him? Does he want Mikey to jerk off to him? No. No he does not. That would only make things weirder than they are, and Frank is not in the mood for any more weirdness.

Mikey really wasn’t embarrassed. Frank Iero, the master of moaning into microphones himself, didn’t seem like the type to mind. That was until things got weird. While their bond was his friendship basis, he knew something was off. Frank would put on a constant facade around him, and breaking past this shell wasn’t easy. Fortunately for Mikey, Frank felt comfortable enough around him to drop the act. Only occasionally though, since he had a lot to unpack. Mikey felt no need to pry, but his disinterest led him to draw a flattering conclusion. Frank had it bad for him. However, there was always the possibility that Frank was just dying for approval and poorly conveyed that memo with his actions. He did swear up and down that he wasn’t gay after all, so who was Mikey Way to act like he knew Frank better than he did? The thought stayed buried deep in his head, never to be paid any mind. This friendship meant too much for Mikey to risk fumbling, and he definitely wouldn’t lose Frank over potential romantic feelings. Staying bottled up seemed like the only rational option.

It didn’t seem that way anymore.

Not with Frank preoccupying his mind with Mikey’s own sexual orientation. Not with the pensive, introspective expression seemingly stuck onto Frank’s face ever since that drive home from the show on Friday. Not with the way Frank can’t bring himself to say the word “gay” without holding back a gag as it trails out of his mouth, let alone form a full, coherent sentence regarding said gayness. Not with the way Mikey catches Frank watching him. Admiring him like an art piece. Studying him like homework. Fearing him as meek prey cautiously avoids the gaze of its predator. In this instance, the prey being Frank’s concept of himself and the predator being the question which Mikey is dying to ask, “Do you think you might like men too?” To be more specific, “Do you think you might like me?”

-

Frank found himself back in Mikey’s room. Not in that way; definitely not. He did everything with Mikey, and “everything” didn’t exclude staring at the ceiling and wasting each other’s time.

“We should be like, practicing or something” Frank pushed himself to sit up. Despite the many surfaces to take a real seat on, the boys decided laying on the ground was best. Taking a seat was too big of a commitment, so the floor felt the most appropriate. It didn’t have to make sense to others. It was like Frank and Mikey operated on the same wavelength, one untapped by the untrained mind. Unfortunately, there was no training to get on their level.

“The hell are you two doing?” Gerard asked

The two find him leaning in the doorway, looking down at them. Considering his posture, it was likely he had been observing them for a while.

“We were practicing, Mikey chimes in as he picks himself up.

“Yeah you were,” Gerard replies. “For maybe ten minutes like half an hour ago.”

Time flies, doesn’t it?

“I’ve watched you weirdos spend the rest of that time staring into space, talking about Burger King or some other stupid shit.”

Point proven.

Mikey pushes himself back onto his feet. “I’ve gotta piss.” He snakes past Gerard. Gerard steps into the room, clearing the doorway. Once Mikey steps out, Gerard closes the door behind him.

No, this is great.

“You two official yet?” Gerard takes a seat on the edge of Mikey’s mattress.

“You know we’re not gay.”

“Well, I’m not gay.” Frank clarifies.

Gerard tilts his head, shooting Frank a “don’t lie to me” look. He pats the space on the bed next to him, prompting Frank to sit.

He follows suit and Gerard adjusts his body to face him. They stare deep into each other’s eyes.

“How much do you believe that?” Gerard breaks the silence. “How much do you believe that you’re not gay?”

Frank gulps, unsure of how to answer. He should be sure, at least he thinks he should. The eye contact with Gerard is getting overwhelming.

“Are you homophobic or something,” Gerard inquires. “If so, this whole ‘friendship’ of yours might not work out. Like at all.”

“No, no, nothing like that.” Frank shook his head and flailed his hands.

Gerard took his hands, moving them both from his face.

“Some guys like to kiss guys; it isn’t that serious.” Gerard reassured him. A smirk creeping onto his face.

He knew what he was doing, and Frank was okay with that.

“Why are you so nervous Frankie?” Gerard tilted his head. He loosened his hold on Frank’s hands, now placing them in his lap.

Maybe it was the “heat” of the moment. Maybe it was the way Gerard’s hair framed his face, or the fitted T-shirt he was wearing. Maybe it was the weight of all the discussion surrounding guys, and being attracted to them. Frank had no idea what he was thinking, or even if he was thinking.

He leaned in to kiss Gerard.

It meant nothing really. A little peck on the lips, that was all.

The redness in his cheeks told Gerard otherwise. He placed a hand around the back of Frank’s neck, fingers in his hair. He used his other hand to pull Frank in by his waist. This second kiss was no “peck.” They both lingered in it as they enveloped one another. Frank wrapped his own arms around Gerard’s waist, caught up in the moment. The mutual passion they radiated had them both overwhelmed.

Gerard was especially overwhelmed. His feeling of passion soon being traded for hungry, ravenous urges. Luckily, his next meal had completed the hard part for him.

“Oh fuck,” Frank whined. “You’re gonna bite me.”

“Oh fuck.” His whimper turned to a yelp. “Your teeth are sharp, G.”

Chapter Text

“I think I’ve seen you around before.”

Mikey slowly turns his head.

He isn’t used to the attention, as little as it is. Frank is always the star of their gigs, with his incredible energy and stage presence. Mikey just isn’t all that exciting. He was especially unprepared for who he’d be encountering.

Before him stood Gabe Saporta, in all of his glistening, breathtaking glory. He was actually sweating bullets but acknowledging that would have definitely killed the mood. He still looked incredibly good somehow. Mikey didn’t think Gabe looked good; he knew it. They were almost intimidating, his looks. It made him sort of unapproachable, and definitely out of Mikey’s league.

“Yeah, you. Mikey right?” Gabe steps in closer.

All Mikey can do is quickly nod. He looks back into the crowd before looking down. Gabe is now right next to him, as they both lean against the wall. Mikey doesn’t dare look over. He can feel Gabe’s eyes burning into his skin.

“Guitar players just do something to me, you know?” Gabe blurts out as the silence gets to him.

The sound of the show around them was almost muffled in the moment, since none of it really mattered. The screams and guitar riffs were nothing but white noise as they were in each other’s presence.

“Bass,” Mikey spits back, head still lowered. “I-I don’t play the guitar. I’m the bassist.”

Gabe brought his mouth to Mikey’s earlobe, “Mikey you could sit there shoving drumsticks up your ass and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I think I’d like that better actually.”

Mikey covered his mouth to silence the giggle escaping. What a fucking pervert.

Gabe didn’t care how gross he was being; he only hoped the remark would land well, and that Mikey Way wouldn’t hate him forever.

Mikey found the courage to look over at Gabe, but the two were in a much more compromising position now. The slightest twitch to the left caused their cheeks to brush against each other. The radiant heat from Gabe’s cheek sent Mikey into a frenzy, his stomach doing backflips and his eyes slamming shut.

“Why so nervous, pretty boy?” Gabe whispered into his ear again.

-

Mikey’s kisses were heedless; he kissed like he was starving. Their teeth clashed and their tongues crossed. It was messy and rushed, as if they were running out of time to experience each other. Gabe held Mikey by his waist, securing him in place against the wall. He was barely pinned down and nearly impressed by Gabe’s loose grip. Nothing but willingness held Mikey in place, but leaving this moment was the very last thing on his mind.

He made his way down Gabe’s neck, mouth open and teeth biting lightly at his skin. Mikey knew it was risky, and that being this close was dangerous. He couldn’t resist it, and his hunger overcame him.

“Mikey Way,” Gabe winced. “You absolute freak.”

“No one ever told you your shit’s pointy?”

Mikey froze, face buried in Gabe’s neck. He erupted with awkward, stifled laughter.

“Shit shit,” Mikey gently pushed him away. “I am so sorry Gabe. Please don’t hate me.” He covered his mouth, scared to bear his fangs in Gabe’s face.

He smiled as his hands sank from Mikey’s hair to his shoulders, “You’re okay, you’re okay.”

“Maybe save the freak shit for next time.”

Gabe disappeared into the crowd, and Mikey was completely wrecked.

-

“Can you like, not think with your dick?” Gerard whisper-shouted, flailing his hand as if to smack Mikey.

“What was I supposed to say, ‘could we cut the make out short, so I don’t fucking eat you?’” Mikey pressed his fingers into his forehead.

“This shouldn’t even be a discussion Mikey,” Gerard reprimanded him. “Don’t make out with people when you’re hungry. No brainer kid.”

Mikey covered his face. He couldn’t bear to look at the disappointment on his brother’s face. Gerard was only looking out for him. He was no stranger to battling bloodthirsty urges when getting intimate. Sure, it was awkward having this conversation with your little brother, but it was better than getting their parents involved. Considering Mikey’s track record, that might have been the next step to take. Vampires don’t need to drink every day, and holding off your hunger is fairly easy. So much so that Mikey frequently found himself nearly going weeks operating only off of rest and human food. Both of which did fairly little for vampires, but it kept the urges at bay. Even then, harvesting human blood wasn’t his only option. Not believing in vampires was almost like being a flat-earther, it was witnessing it yourself that cemented it as real. Purchasing blood for consumption purposes was nothing unheard of but drinking it the old-fashioned way was different. It was special, and it was a recurring element in Mikey’s fantasies.

You had to hear him out, really. There was something so sensual about drinking a hot guy’s blood, no matter how weird it sounded. However, it was extremely risky for many reasons. First of all, it was kind of rude. Second of all, it was kind of gross (unless you were into that.) Third of all, and most importantly, it was the easiest way to turn another person. You could draw blood without turning someone, but it took lots of precision, and vulnerability really. Both of which Mikey lacked.

“Okay,” Mikey huffed. “It was a mistake. I mean it.”

Mikey felt his phone vibrate. His notifications were silenced, because of course they were. He brought the screen to his face and couldn’t believe the message he read.

“Could you turn me?”

DM from Gabe Saporta.

He was beyond wrecked.

-

Mikey texted back question marks. He prayed he misread, or that he was imagining the entire conversation.

Instead, this prompted Gabe to call him.

Fuck.

“Yeah Mikey, I’m not stupid.” Gabe replied. “I’ve been with vampires before, it’s really hot NGL.” He said the letters one by one as if reading a text message.

Mikey covered his face. It was pointless, but that didn’t matter. He was too flustered to remember not only was he on the phone, but he physically couldn’t blush.

“You don’t have to admit that my sexy little neck makes you go feral,” Gabe whispered in an attempt to be seductive (did not work.) “I’ll just take your silence as confirmation.”

Mikey began hysterically laughing into the receiver.

“Well fuck me then.” He slapped his forehead.

“Hey, I was being serious,” Gabe scoffed. “For once in my fucking life.”

“I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I was wondering if you’d do the honors.” Gabe beamed. You could tell he had a smile plastered on his face from his tone.

“I mean, I was born like this. If there’s some sort of cure, I wouldn’t know.” Mikey went on.

“Besides,” he hesitated. “We’re really… really not that serious.”

Gabe laughed hard enough to cough up a lung.

“Don’t flatter yourself babe,” he managed to get out through his laughter. “No offense, but this is not for you. Like, at all.”

What was the worst that could happen?

Chapter Text

“Why am I meeting you in some park late at night again?”

Gabe was the one literally asking to be turned into a vampire, but was turned off by the time and place. There was no reason really, but it felt right. That was fairly reasonable in Mikey’s opinion.

“Think of, like, the ambience and stuff.” Mikey swallowed nervously. “Hey fuck off. I could kill you.”

Mikey felt guilty for even pretending to snap at him, “You know I don’t mean that.”

The two approached a bench near the outskirts of the park. Where the hiking trail into the woods met with the walking path around the common area. They exchanged an awkward glance as neither of them were sure what the next course of action was.

“So,” Gabe removed his scarf. “Here I am Mikey. Go cray cray.” This was not going to be easy.

Mikey inhaled as his parted lips made contact with the thin, warm skin on Gabe’s neck. His fangs gently brushed against it. He took a deep breath before sinking down.

“Oh my fuck.” Gabe whined pathetically. “Oh my Go- oh fuck, fuck, holy.”

Mikey was starting to regret this.

“Shut up,” he gritted into Gabe’s neck.

What was Gabe genuinely expecting? Did he think getting bitten into would be nothing more than a little pinch? Unfortunately, Mikey couldn’t back out now. He was literally in too deep, and all he could do was watch, and listen to, Gabe moan as the venom seeped into his bloodstream. As the string of obscenities, cries, and pleas for Mikey to “be gentle” spilled out of Gabe’s wide open mouth, Mikey felt the blood recharging him. It made him feel really guilty, benefiting from the pain he subjected Gabe to. It’s not like Mikey forced him into this; no, the idiot actually wanted it. He could’ve sworn he tasted a tear streaming down Gabe’s face. Worst of all, Mikey’s favorite fantasy was ruined.

-

The two walked with their arms locked together. Gabe was still dazed, so walking in a straight line on his own was out of the question.

“When does it kick in?” He managed to slur out.

“Soon. I think,” Mikey responded, looking straight ahead. “Look, why would I know?”

“I just thought, you know, this wasn’t your first rodeo.” Gabe sputtered.

He couldn’t be any further from the truth. Mikey felt guilty about his little kink. He felt that turning humans was both reckless and selfish. Being a vampire really wasn’t that cool in his opinion. He would love to wear short sleeves, or not bundle up due to a literal inability to produce substantial body heat. Part of the reason why he held on so tight to Gabe was to reap the body heat while it was still only fleeting. Mikey left out the constantly freezing part, and assumed Gabe would figure that out himself.

The rest of the walk was silent. Mikey feeling too awful to make conversation and Gabe too delirious. They came to a stop outside of Gabe’s house.

“No one needs to know.” Mikey said at a volume no louder than a whisper.

“Yeah yeah,” Gabe snickered. “It can be our little secret. Something like that.”

Something like that.

-

“G, you know how I feel about hunting people.” Mikey whispered to his brother.

“Yeah, you get off to it,” Gerard replied hastily. “I don’t need any details, freak.”

Mikey couldn’t respond. He really wanted to, but Gerard was right. Only half right, that was. He did like the idea of drinking blood, but he found it wrong. On the other hand, Gerard was shameless with his preference. He found that to be the best way to feed, and he was definitely reckless with it. The kicker was that he did not care, at all. He was a vampire for God’s sake, that's what they did.

Gerard went about his hunting ritual as creepily as one could, however. He sought out victims he found either attractive or defenseless; bonus points if they were both. That wasn’t even the creepiest part somehow, it got worse. Gerard called these unsuspecting people his victims, and he did so shamelessly. He could pester Mikey all day for what he was into, but Gerard wouldn’t be caught dead admitting that he exhibited any kind of perverted behavior.

“Yup,” Gerard spat out, picking up his pace. “Here’s tonight’s game.”

Mikey scoffed as he trailed behind him. The boy ahead of them definitely looked defenseless. Maybe his hair was pretty too, but that didn’t matter. Gerard had no right to mutilate him in order to feed his own urges, and Mikey definitely had no right serving as an accomplice to the crime. The two slowed down as they closed in on him, avoiding the crisp leaves beneath their feet. It’s not like they couldn’t levitate, all vampires could, but now didn’t feel like the time to rely on common sense.

Gerard snickered as he crept closer. Mikey promptly placed a finger over his lips. The boy lowered his cell phone as the sound likely startled him. Gerard couldn’t wait, he sped towards his victim like a bullet. Mikey sped faster, using his right hand to brace the impact of halting Gerard right in his tracks. The wind blew into his airways causing Gerard to exhale a stifled gasp.

“Fuck.” Gerard failed to mouth, instead whispering just a decibel too loud.

The boy began slowly turning his head, and caught a glance at the brothers.

Mikey could recognize that face anywhere, and he now was obligated to stop this.

In the moment of distraction, Gerard took the opportunity to sneak out of Mikey’s hold.

“No, no, no G.” He repeated, advancing towards the two.

Unfortunately, he was too late.

Gerard had the boy in his hands, propping his chin up so he could stare down the boy’s eyes.

“Don’t be scared kid,” Gerard twisted his face to the side. “You won't remember a thing.”

Mikey gave up on words, and began prying at Gerard’s arms.

“This would go much smoother if my manservant could behave himself,” Gerard snapped as he rolled his eyes. “Give us a moment.”

Gerard dropped his victim and turned to his brother.

“Michael, question,” his hands coming up to Mikey’s shoulders. “What the fuck are you doing?” He shook Mikey as he groaned out each syllable, basically singing his words. “You never care this much. What, you wanna eat him or something? Are you starving, Michael?”

Mikey looked over at the boy attempting to escape, running as fast as he could while gripping the phone hanging out of his pocket.

Gerard spawned in front the boy and took a firm hold of his arm, “We’re not finished kid. Sorry to get your hopes up.”

Mikey caught the horrified expression on his face.

“Mikey,” he trembled. “What the fuck is going on?”

Frank Iero.

What the fuck was he doing? Frank was practically allergic to fresh air, so the very last place Mikey would’ve thought to see him would be right outside of the park designated for turning people. It wasn’t legally designated, but everyone knew to stay away during hours where activity peaked.

“You know this kid?” Gerard scoffed. He swiftly lowered Frank to the ground, causing him to stumble as his feet met the pavement.

Mikey embraced him as Gerard looked away, muttering about how he “can’t have anything.”

“Hey man, get off of me.” Frank snickered, waving Mikey off in an attempt to maintain nonchalance. Sure, Mikey just saved his life; it was no big deal. He couldn’t help but admire Mikey, just for a moment. He just barely fought some guy that he was kind of working with, what a guy. The way he intently examined Frank up and down. Mikey was just making sure he was okay, totally he was. Totally not checking Frank out, whatever he could check out at least. He was covered head to toe. Maybe Mikey was so focused because he was trying to imagine what was underneath. It’s not like he would need to, Mikey had seen Frank shirtless enough times. Not in that way, Frank reminded himself.

Gerard’s words broke off the staring contest, “Not to kill the mood, but I’m still hungry.”

The confession snapped them both back to reality.

“That’s too bad,” Mikey turned to face his brother. “This one’s off limits.”

Gerard stared blankly before raising his eyebrows.

“Oh, I get it.” Gerard took a breath in as he smiled. “Yeah, I don’t wanna touch your boyfriend; that's a little weird.”

Frank failed to think before blurting out, “Boyfriend?”

“Oh yeah, uhm,” Mikey stuttered, rubbing his palms over his pockets. “About that-”

Gerard has already nicked at Frank’s neck before Mikey gets the chance to finish.

“Bro, are you serious?” Frank cries out before slowly reaching for his aching neck.

Mikey walked him towards the middle of the field while leading him by his shoulders. “Sorry Frankie, you’ll be okay.” He rubbed his fingers in circles around Frank’s temples. “You won’t remember a thing.”

“That guy just bit me,” Frank murmured. “What the fuck Mikey this can’t be real.”

Mikey shushed him, “Yeah he did, but you’ll live.”

“How are you so cool about this?” Frank began to slip and stumble, too exhausted to support his own weight anymore.

“So many questions Frank,” Mikey laid him on the ground. “Did I not just tell you that you’re good?”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah…” Frank trailed off as he hit the ground, much harder than intended.

Now, Mikey was on top of him. Very compromising indeed.

Frank’s eyes were shut, and the moonlight glistened on his pale skin. His heart rate returned to normal, and his lips parted ever so slightly. He was out cold; mission complete.

“You still look so good.” Mikey mumbled to himself as he stared down at his friend. It was definitely creepy, but Frank would never know. He passed out on the ground, and his brain was being forced to blur any memories of the past half an hour. Mikey didn’t know how to feel about that part.

“You gonna kiss him goodnight, Mikes?” Gerard called out from the entrance. “We need to go, like now. This looks shady as shit.” Unfortunately, Gerard had a point. He was staring at a body with a faint bruise on the neck in the middle of some park. Not to mention the fact that it was nearly midnight. There was no saving had the two of them been caught.

Mikey decided to get up, reluctantly, and spend the rest of his trek home debating whether or not he should’ve kissed Frank goodnight.

Chapter Text

Mikey couldn’t be jealous; he also really didn’t want to be.

Letting himself be jealous would mean he would eventually have to confess to spying on his brother and his best friend. Letting himself be jealous would mean he would have to think about why that was in the first place. He would have to think about why he was so determined to stop Gerard from drinking his blood that night. He would have to think about why he was so okay with being around Frank all the time, and what made him so special out of the maybe five people Mikey could tolerate. He would have to think about Frank more than he already does, and that was nearly impossible to top. Mikey decided to suppress those feelings for as long as he could; a record time of the three minutes it took Frank to bashfully exit the front door.

“So, we’re going back for seconds?” Mikey jokes as he looks down the hallway. “This is the biblical greed people talk about, you know.”

“Hey, that was for you.” Gerard snapped back. “Kind of.”

“What the hell do you mean ‘that was KIND OF’ for me?” Mikey was getting aggravated now.

“I wanted to warm up your tasty little friend to the idea of liking dudes,” Gerard replied, as if that made things sound any better. “That way, you wouldn’t be confessing your love for him at his fucking wedding, Mikey.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I don’t know who you think you’re fooling, but anyone with eyes can tell there’s something… different about you two.”

The lack of self-awareness was astounding. Mikey had lots of “normal” friendships, yet he acted like there was nothing suspicious about his bond with Frank. It’s not like Frank was the only person who could leave a lasting smile on his face or sit in silence with him as they simply existed in each other’s presence. It’s not that he was attracted to Frank, but rather that he was drawn to him. He was drawn to Frank in a way that was comparable to no other dynamic. The fact that Mikey liked men had nothing to do with it. He didn’t owe anyone an explanation.

Or he couldn’t come up with one.

-

There was a difference between real practice days, and the “practicing” Mikey and Frank did one their own time. Everyone was there for real practice, and there was only so much to waste. The time they had to waste went from the whole session to only about half of it, and waste time they did.

Mikey couldn’t keep himself from bringing up the “incident” now. Not with the way Frank kept biting and licking his bottom lip; Mikey couldn’t look away. Addressing the elephant in the room was in the best interest of the band, since there was no way Mikey could play while being so distracted.

“Hey Frank,” Mikey laughed along to a joke he wasn’t paying attention to. “What’s up with your lip?”

Every head turned over to look at a now self-conscious Mikey, as he realized that maybe the elephant was just in his head. He couldn’t hide the smile forming on his face, which only made things more awkward considering he just subtly admitted to having been examining Frank’s lips long enough to notice anything wrong with them.

“Oh yeah,” Frank chuckled. “Gerard Way turned me gay.”

What the fuck.

The boys erupted with laughter, except for Mikey. To say he was taken aback by the confession would be an understatement. Even if Frank was joking, the prospect of liking men no longer scared him. He didn’t lower his tone or say “gay” like the word itself put the taste of another man in his mouth.

“You’re gonna let those girls shit-talking you on Instagram win?” Ray asked

“Hey, don’t knock it ‘til you try it.” Frank gestured to the rest of the group.

“So I will not be doing that.” Mikey replied, way sooner than he needed to, in an awkward attempt to rejoin the conversation. Fortunately, everyone only laughed harder.

“Yeah Frank,” Bob snickered. “Live your truth and all, but we don’t want whatever Mikey’s talking about with your lip.”

Mikey had a feeling, but this comment cemented his suspicion. No one was looking at Frank’s lips.

Let alone staring at them.

-

Mikey spent the rest of his afternoon reminiscing. Reminiscing especially on how his brother was his best friend’s gay awakening. Productivity wasn’t his thing, and neither was moving on.

Mikey had to be on an “acting-on-your-impulses” spree, as it didn’t take long for him to reach out to Frank. He went to his messages and immediately clicked on Frank’s pinned contact. All of his unread messages didn’t register to him. They weren't Frank, so it wasn't that high of a priority getting back to them. Instead, he focused on how he could get the answers he wanted without asking directly. Asking upfront would mean that things got too desperate, if we were to put aside the fact that Mikey’s rekindling a conversation from hours ago. After spending too much time thinking of what to say, he found his words of choice:

“so wdym g turned u gay?”

How poetic.

To his surprise, Frank replied within seconds.

“i mean ig that’s what happened”

“idk why i kissed him but he kissed me back lol”

So, Frank kissed Gerard. Noted. That's where "kind of" came into play.

“oh rlly??” Mikey replied. He wanted to show some signs of life after having immediately locked his phone upon sending the message. He turned it back off as soon as the “delivered” subscript changed to “read.” He was so irrationally nervous for someone texting their best friend.

“his freak ahh BIT me bro” Frank sent

“i think your brother wants me or smth”

What the actual fuck.

“no way lolll” Mikey replied.

No one was laughing.

Mikey tried to conjure up a response to the second message, and in turn sent a question he hoped Frank thought was rhetorical. In reality, Mikey didn’t want an answer.

“do you want him???”

Mikey immediately clenched his whole body. His eyes slamming shut as he curled into a fetal position, his phone opening the power off menu due to the tight clutch he had on it. This could either be a laughing moment to look back on, or the most uncomfortable conversation he and Frank will ever have. It was all up to Frank now, at least Mikey could convince himself of that much.

“bro i js found out men are an option” Frank sent back

“i need a minute lol”

Thank God.

Frank found a way out of answering that question, and Mikey felt too much relief to really linger on that.

Chapter Text

Things were going great on the other side of the phone as well.

Frank couldn’t take his eyes off of the screen either. His fingers went flying as soon as a new message popped up, which didn’t give him much time to think. He would take time to process things later. It’s not everyday that the stoic Mikey Way decides to bring up an offhand comment you made under pressure hours ago, let alone claw away at your insides asking questions.

It was taking Mikey unusually long to respond. Frank knew his responses were purposefully delayed, but this one was different. Frank couldn’t decide whether or not he wanted Gerard because a part of him felt choosing would impact his relationship with Mikey, and no bond was more important to him than the one they shared. Instead, he not-so cleverly made a humorous attempt at avoiding the question. He didn’t think Mikey was an idiot, the pressure just got to him. They could circle back to that question another day. All of the overthinking came to an abrupt stop once Mikey responded, which Frank foolishly opened immediately.

“lol happens :)”

No one was laughing.

What did he mean “happens”? Mikey’s cryptic diction would drive Frank insane, so responding was obviously not an option.

-

Gerard had begun tagging along with Frank and Mikey. He wouldn’t make conversation or try to get himself involved in anything, but his presence was acknowledged. It wasn’t uncomfortable, yet, but it was definitely awkward. Frank failed to hide how much Gerard made him think, and thinking wasn’t something Frank did all that frequently.

He didn’t bother pretending not to stare because he knew Gerard was aware. He kept staring under the assumption Gerard didn’t mind it, and that he might have even liked it. That kiss did things to his mind, and he was subconsciously blaming said things on Gerard. It’s not like Gerard was being held down and forced. In fact, the opposite had taken place.

Regardless of how interested either party was, Mikey wasn’t in the mood. It was enough that his own sexuality confused Frank, now he literally had to watch Frank contemplate whether or not he was attracted to Gerard. It was really awkward. It bordered on disgusting.

“I’m starving,” Mikey said. He really just needed a reason to leave. There was no way he would sit and watch Frank examine Gerard so intently for any longer. It left an uneasy feeling in his stomach, and he decided to call this feeling hunger. He darted out of the door before Gerard could react. Vampires didn’t get hungry the way that people did, so his word choice was especially unusual.

Gerard knew his brother better than he did himself, and he was sticking around for a reason. He was making things awkward on purpose, and he had an idea of what to say once someone folded.

“Hey Frankie wanna make out?”

Frank immediately snapped out of his own head.

Gerard didn’t turn from the window he was looking out of. He intended to sound as if he was thinking out loud, and Frank fell for the bait.

“What?” Frank giggled, still staring at Gerard.

“I think you heard me.” Gerard said, this time turning to face Frank.

“I’ve had enough eye-tag, Frank. Please answer me.”

His boldness was startling Frank. Gerard stared intently down at him, and the whole situation became overwhelmingly intimidating.

“I mean I guess.” Frank finally replied after an unfortunately long period of silence.

“Oh.” Gerard chirped, turning to look back out of the window. “Cool” He added.

Cool? What the fuck was cool about that? Frank thought.

“What now G?” Frank asked timidly.

“Well you ‘guess’ you like men now,” Gerard responded immediately. “Do something about it Frank. I can’t be gay for you.”

What was with this family? They were so effortlessly mysterious, and it made Frank feel too many feelings all at once. He trembled with each step toward Gerard, his palms sweating and his teeth chattering. Gerard looked up at him once they were merely inches apart.

-

Once the source of the Mikey ‘hunger’ was eliminated, he began experiencing the vampire ‘hunger.’ He clung to his stomach while using a kitchen countertop to support himself. He’d gone too long without any blood and it was beginning to take its toll. He felt weak; he was weak. Behind the human food set out for mortal guests were large amounts of blood cocktails. The blood was extracted from wherever it could’ve been, since legality didn’t make harvesting blood ethical or clean. It was pretty gross to think about, so Mikey tried his hardest not to.

He used all of his strength to pour himself a glass, and drank it all in one ravenous gulp. He could feel his fangs poking his bottom lip as the remnants of whatever didn’t make it down his throat stream out of the sides of his mouth, and trickle down his chin. He leaned back against the edge of the countertop, letting the blood replenish his body. He didn’t bother wiping the leftovers off of his face. He was distracted by other things, specifically whatever x-rated scene was unfolding in the other room.

MIkey could hear it all. The way Frank whined, or muttered about how “good” Gerard was. Every last “oh fuck”, or “yeah, just like that” to escape Frank’s mouth was clear as day in Mikey’s ears, and this time the “hunger” came back. Except the “hunger” had an actual name this time, it was arousal. Arousal mixed with nausea. Mikey couldn’t lie to himself anymore, he loved what he was hearing. It was the fact that Gerard had beat him to unveiling that side of Frank that made him sick. Things started moving quickly in the kitchen too. The room began to spin, and Mikey was seemingly knocked off of his feet. He hit the ground with a loud thud.

-

“Calm down Frank, I’m hardly touching you. Mikey can probably hear, you know.”

Gerard breathed down Frank’s neck, burying his head into the crevice between Frank’s neck and shoulder. He didn’t expect Frank to be bold enough to take up the offer, and Gerard was a generous lover. He couldn’t help but get Frank so worked up over what he thought was “nothing.” He hadn’t even made his way under Frank's shirt, so there was no reason to be so loud. Gerard was in way too deep, and there was no turning back.

“Guess I’m just sensitive G.” Frank whimpered.

“So close,” Gerard whispered in his ear “You’re just easy.”

Easy. Frank’s hips jutted forward, knocking Gerard down from his upright seated position. He took Frank down with him, and Frank lay on top of him. Their bodies became so close, too close. Easy. Frank placed kisses along Gerard’s jaw, making his way down his neck.

“Oh, I’ll show you fuckin’ easy, Gerard.” Frank pulled Gerard’s shirt over his head.

Gerard slightly turned his head, biting back whatever expletives he was dying to bark back with. He knew he was wrong. Exceeding the unspoken boundaries of “making out” in his brother’s room, on his brother’s loveseat, with his brother’s best friend. The same best friend he knew his brother would never admit to being in love with. If Gerard had been in his right mind, he would’ve pushed Frank off as soon as he sat in his lap. For whatever reason, he decided against it. Maybe Frank needed this. Maybe Gerard had to be patient zero for Frank’s venture into the realm of liking men. It was the least he could do, really.

On the other hand, Frank’s mind was speeding a mile a minute. He was about to hook up with his best friend’s brother in the sacred “bro-zone.” Was it even violating “bros before hoes” if said “hoe” was Mikey’s brother? Had they ever even made a “bros before hoes” pact, or was that some standard for any male friendship? The whole thing felt inappropriate for so many different reasons. Being with Gerard was nothing like being with a girl. Maybe because Gerard wasn’t a girl, no matter how beautiful his face was. Maybe Frank should be thinking about the fact he’s a few risky kisses away from going down on a dude, and that there was a picture of him and Mikey from freshman year within his line of vision. This was a really weird time to be thinking about Mikey, wasn’t it? The Way brothers were driving him insane, he thought.

Frank had reached just below Gerard’s dreaded navel by the time he was snapped out of his lustful daydreaming. The crashing slam from outside of the room shook him. Frank popped off of Gerard’s hips, and snapped his head to the door.

Mikey.

-

The two found Mikey lying face down, passed out on the kitchen floor. Dried, red streaks crusted onto the sides of his mouth. It was quite the sight to behold.

“Fuck happened to him?” Frank looked dumbfounded.

The whole thing felt like his fault, for whatever reason. He felt like whatever took place in the other room was an act of betrayal, like he turned his back on Mikey. Mikey looked beside himself, and Frank hated the feeling of a pit forming in his stomach. Mikey looked like a monster, in a way. Not in a scary way, but in a way Frank couldn’t find the words to describe.

“Maybe you should go home, Frank.” Gerard didn’t look up.

Frank immediately followed his instruction. No hesitation, no second thoughts, out of the door as fast as he came in.

Gerard picked his idiot brother off of the ground, and laid him on the living room couch. The glass which had just been filled to the brim with blood stood tall on the countertop. If he was conscious, Mikey would be getting an earful on how he needs to think about the stupid shit he does.

“Was that one for me?” Mikey mutters, slightly tipping his head to the right.

“What?”

“Were you and Frank about to fuck with me in mind? ‘Cause that’s pretty fucking weird.”

Gerard chuckled, “Are you ever gonna grow the balls to do something, Mikes?”

Mikey was silent. He didn’t know the answer to that question yet, but he wanted it to be yes. He wanted the answer to be yes so badly. He hated how it felt to be beat by Gerard to the prize of his best friend. Frank wasn’t just another guy Gerard could have and move on from. Frank was too valuable. Frank was his. He felt the tears swelling in his eyes, but he couldn’t cry. He should’ve been happy for Frank, but he felt something stopping him. Instead, he made the next best decision.

Mikey called Gabe Saporta.

Chapter Text

“You really are a little freak, aren’t you?”

Gabe held onto Mikey’s hips with one hand, using his other one to keep himself upright. He was one wrong move away from being under Mikey Way, which would’ve been the goal any other night. Not tonight, however; things felt off. Mikey was too eager, uncharacteristically so. MIkey invited Gabe over, and barely gave him a minute to speak before his tongue was down his throat. Gabe couldn’t name one time where he didn’t practically have to beg Mikey to get anywhere past exchanging suggestive text messages, or the occasional look when passing each other in the hallway. Mikey not only making the first move, but seeming ready to act on every last text message was extremely unlike him. Mikey clearly needed this to silence the turmoil in his head, and considering the circumstances, said turmoil was heading downstairs. Gabe knew he had to shut this session down soon. He could be a casual fling, but he drew the line at being a rebound.

“Hey your teeth are too sharp for that shit, Mikey.” He said while reaching for Mikey’s head, which was now dangerously close to his crotch.

“You think I’d give you teeth?” Mikey smiled timidly, his nervous expression nearly shouting at Gabe to show mercy. “I should be offended.”

“You’re getting ahead of yourself.” Gabe sat up, gently pushing Mikey away. Mikey sat up on the other edge of the couch, looking pensively at Gabe.

“What did Frank do?”

Mikey chuckled, “Bro, I’m about to blow you and you’re asking how my day went.” He scratched his head, fighting the urge to look away.

“Don’t change the subject Mikey,” Gabe replied somewhat sternly, keeping eye contact with Mikey. “So, what did he do?”

Mikey sighed, “He was making out with Gerard, and the two homos were loud as fuck.”

“The two homo-”

“Is it bad I was ki-”

They both spoke at the same time.

“You go first,” Mikey stretched his hand out to Gabe, an awkward smile stretching across his face.

“So they’re the two homos now?” Gabe asked, doing air quotes around the stupid name Mikey gave them.

“Yeah, I-” Mikey paused.

“Gerard says he’s ‘doing it for me’ because he thinks I’m in love with Frank. Which is pretty fucking weird, because you wouldn’t be making out with someone you’re trying to put on with someone else.”

“And I know Gerard doesn’t want him, so it’s pretty fucked to be leading Frank on like that. But, this wasn’t the first time he’s looked at Frank like a piece of meat. Actually, one time we saw him in the park and…”

Mikey could go on for hours, and he would’ve had he not been interrupted.

“Mikey,” Gabe cut him off. “Mikey, you are so in love with Frank, it’s insane.”

“Bro, why do people keep saying that?” Mikey fake laughed, covering his face and throwing his head back. His hands kept sliding down as he dragged out the a in “that”, eventually just making an “uh” sound.

“Well, you were about to keep… all of that bottled up until I literally just asked you about it.” Gabe explained. “And you took off running from there.”

Mikey cringed. He couldn’t believe how vulnerable he was letting himself get.

“Like, you started talking about shit from weeks ago. Mikey, you couldn’t remember what you had for breakfast yesterday.”

Bad analogy, but the point still got across. Mikey wasn’t in love with Frank. He and Frank were inseparable. Ever since they met, living without him no longer posed as an option. That was an issue to be addressed later, considering they were different species and all. The future didn’t matter when it came to Frank, nor did the past. The present was overwhelming, and Mikey allowed himself to relish in it; he allowed himself to relish in Frank. The way he smiled, laughed, joked, teased, looked, thought, spoke. The way he was. Nothing seemed fleeting in the time they spent together, but others interrupted their harmony. It might have been “toxic” or whatever, but Mikey didn’t really like to share. So, whatever Frank and Gerard had going on immediately rubbed him the wrong way. Despite the nature of their relationships varying, Mikey felt his brother had no right to have Frank in that way. He felt that Frank was his.

Gabe was starting to sound correct in Mikey’s head, which is never a good sign.

“Is it bad that I was kinda turned on?”

The silence spoke volumes.

-

“You should turn him. That would be hot.”

Gabe was looking off into the distance at something on his end of the screen. Mikey was busy messing around with his bass, so he paid the comment no mind.

Gerard walked in on whatever excuse of an interaction was taking place, since the phone call was basically just draining Mikey’s battery at this point.

“Gabe made it to the Facetime stage?” Gerard snickered. “Oh, things are getting serious.”

“So close Gerard," Gabe responded. “Mikey’s in love with Frank Iero.”

Mikey immediately looked up, foolish mistake. He didn’t tell Gabe that; he wouldn’t tell Gabe that. Mikey could just barely admit to having not-so platonic feelings about Frank, and that gave Gabe no right to go around sharing the news. Yet he gave himself away with his ardent acknowledgement of Frank just by hearing his name.

”In love?” Gerard raised his eyebrow as he cocked his head forward “Is that so?”

“Hey, fuck both of you.” Mikey laughed. He felt like screaming and pulling his hair out, but playing along with the teasing seemed like the better option.

“Look at you finally accepting it,” Gerard rubbed Mikey’s shoulder. “Because we all knew it, even Gabe.”

“Even I did Mikey, even I did.” Gabe gestured to himself over the phone.

“Yeah either that or you two were just really fuckin’ weird,” Gerard added on. “I mean two things can be true at onc-”

Mikey delivered him a sharp elbow to the ribs. He felt he should’ve been embarrassed about his infatuation having been so comically obvious, but he really wasn’t. Frank was just that special, and if people would tease him about being that way then so be it. He just didn’t know what he was going to do with himself the next time he saw Frank. He couldn’t avoid him forever, and now that the “secret” was out, there would be no Gerard to fall back on as a distraction. He would either have to keep suppressing the voice screeching in his head, or make some kind of risky decision. Neither choice presented sounded doable.

Maybe decisionmaking just wasn’t Mikey’s thing.

-

Mikey felt his staring was justified, considering he was apparently “in love” with Frank.

The two sat suspiciously close to one another. It bordered on cuddling, but neither of them were comfortable enough to get that far. They couldn’t. They were both “gay” now, and the tension was brewing. Mikey was still staring at Frank’s lips. The scars were fading, but he couldn’t bring himself to forget about it. How could Frank be so fine with getting bitten? What was he thinking? What did he take away from that? Canines sharp enough to draw blood should raise concern, but they didn’t sound any alarms for Frank. Maybe Frank was into the whole “vampire” thing, and he was too turned on to ask any questions, and that’s why he went back. He probably knew Mikey was a vampire, and just wanted Gerard. At the end of the day, Gerard had Frank in a way that Mikey was too scared to.

All Mikey could do was stare, really. He convinced himself that Frank was no longer an option, and those feelings needed to be buried back into the depths of his brain where they had become stationary, never to be given any thought. So, stare he did. He stared at Frank’s face, and his hair, and his hands, and his lips, and his lips, and his lips.

Frank could just sense Mikey’s gaze seeping into his skin. He wanted to look back, he needed to. Looking at Mikey was just something he did, and it was seemingly never the other way around. Except today it felt like Mikey wouldn’t stop looking. Eye contact was just out of the question. Frank took occasional fleeting glances, each time hoping that Mikey had found something else in the room to occupy himself with. Anything but himself. He could tell that things were changing between them. He didn’t feel like he had to pretend in front of Mikey anymore. He could let his guard down, but the vulnerability made him frightened. He didn’t want to give Mikey the wrong idea; he also didn’t know what the wrong idea was. He knew Mikey found out about him and Gerard, even before his excuse of a confession. Mikey had become more standoffish than he usually was. It was almost like he was avoiding Frank, and Frank hated that feeling. He didn’t want to lose Mikey over whatever he chose to kindle with Gerard, especially since that bond was nothing worth supporting. Gerard hardly noticed Frank unless he had ulterior motives. He hated the way he was addicted to Gerard’s ambiguity. Frank could never tell what he was thinking, and it fascinated him so much.

He knew his fascination with Gerard made Mikey uncomfortable. Maybe Mikey just loved the attention. Before Gerard entered the picture, Mikey was Frank’s primary subject. He would always watch Mikey, hanging onto every last word he said. The charm hadn’t worn off, Frank had just found someone just as layered to become vehemently intrigued with. After all, no one mattered as much to Frank as Mikey did. That was the one thing Frank never wanted Mikey to forget.

The room was dead silent, and the silence had to be broken at some point. They hadn’t even bothered pretending to “practice” their instruments, instead opting to just look around Mikey’s room as if they were both seeing it for the first time. They looked at the floor, the walls, out the window, at the different trinkets and equipment littered about, and, obviously, at each other. They didn’t bother listening to music, watching television, or even talking. It would’ve been unusual behavior had it been anyone else, but this was just what Mikey and Frank did. They did unusual things, and they did them together.

“Are your teeth sharp like that?” Frank asked like an idiot.

Good going, he thought. Mikey was clearly in his head about the whole ‘you-making-out-with-his-brother’ thing, why not just address the elephant in the room?

If Mikey didn’t say anything quick, Frank would’ve got up and left.

“Yeah,” Mikey replied. “I mean probably– I’m not as familiar with Gerard’s mouth as you might be.”

He couldn’t smile. What if Frank hated his attempt at joking, and was now uncomfortable. He forced himself to look away, fixing his gaze on the window as he began to frown.

Frank forced himself to smile, now feeling like more of an idiot. “Bro, I, I,” Frank was not finding the words to explain himself. “I dunno man, I just-”

“We’re vampires, Frankie.”

The confession stung Mikey’s throat as each word climbed out. He didn’t have to say that, and maybe he shouldn’t have. He just wanted to offer Frank some clarity.

“Oh? Oh. Ohhhhhhhh.” Frank didn’t know what to say or what to do really, and shock didn’t feel correct or appropriate. “Really?” He was really feeling stupid now. Why would Mikey lie about that? It made enough sense anyway.

“Yeah Frank,” Mikey turned back to look at him. “I feel like that would explain a lot of things. Like how I dress, or how we’re both always cold, or why G’s teeth were so sharp.”

“I thought you might’ve figured it out that time I fucking passed out from drinking too much blood that one time.”

It was all clicking, and Frank was definitely an idiot.

“Now I don’t know exactly what Gerard was thinking, but he likes drinking from hot guys and somehow found his way into your mouth.”

Frank felt his cheeks warming up. He slowly panned his head in Mikey’s direction, afraid to look but unable to resist the urge any longer. He was about to ask a stupid question. He was about to ask multiple stupid questions. He could’ve asked if Mikey was implying he was hot, or if anyone else knew, or even if he had to stay covered while he was indoors. That question would have been the most redundant, considering the fact that they were indoors and Mikey’s arms were exposed.

“So-”

Mikey hooked his index finger into his mouth to prop it open as he displayed his own extremely sharp canines. He looked down as if to look at his own teeth before looking up at Frank.

“See?”

Before Frank got the chance to respond, Mikey lunged at him. He “accidentally” pinned Frank down, burying his head into Frank’s neck with his mouth open. Frank experienced a broad range of sudden emotions, with the hardest one to ignore being the mindblowing horniness. Your best friend admitting to being a vampire then proceeding to pin you down and almost sink his teeth into your neck was supposed to be frightening, yet the staggered heavy breathing Frank was practically shouting at his brain to carry out stemmed from a place of fervent arousal. Mikey picked his head back up and his gaze met Frank’s frightened expression.

“Calm down Frankie,” Mikey reassured him. It wasn’t all that convincing his eyes had turned from their usual hazel to a deep, gleaming crimson red. “You know I’d never hurt you.”

Frank was so turned on. He felt so safe in Mikey’s embrace, but so scared at the same time. Mikey was capable of hurting him, badly, like murder badly, but he wouldn’t. Mikey would never hurt him, he said so himself. Frank bit his lip to stop himself from saying whatever fucked up thing would pop into his head next, instead opting for something that was a second nature to him. He laid under Mikey and stared intently at him, focusing on his eyes. The crimson suited his pale, cool-toned skin. The contrast was alluring, and Frank found himself fighting the urge to just give himself over.

“Don’t look at me like that.” Mikey giggled. He knew what he was doing. He could see how flustered Frank was, and teasing him further gave him sickening pleasure.

“I mean, I can’t, your eyes-” Frank’s speech faltered as his brain could hardly piece together a coherent sentence.

“Yeah, give that a minute,” Mikey sat up, using his hands to rub his eyes. “I must’ve convinced my body I was about to, y’know, and I don’t really know how to mask it. I don’t drink straight from ‘the source’ too often, so I guess I make it a little obvious.”

Frank watched as Mikey rubbed his eyes, and took note of the things that stood out.

Mikey really was that pale, his hands were rugged and calloused, his arms were toned, his hair looked great if you didn’t mind the grease, and it was probably just the lighting in the room making him look so perfect.

Chapter Text

Frank really knew nothing about Mikey, did he?

He’d known Mikey for years, and all this information seemed to be suddenly crashing down onto him. Mikey was “secretly” a vampire, gay, sleeping with Gabe Saporta and his best friend had not a single clue. He was really hot too, but that wasn’t relevant.

Or that would explain a lot.

Maybe he was never put off by the way Mikey never really ate, or the way his hands were always freezing, or the way certain guys looked at him and never really went away afterwards, or the way that everyone could see something was “off” about Mikey because he was blinded by his exquisite, ethereal looks.

Frank cupped his face in his hands, and slowly dragged them down to only cover his mouth. He tried to regulate the rapid, stifled breaths he took while staring up at his ceiling fan. Mikey was nowhere close, yet his presence felt palpable with the way he plagued Frank’s thoughts. Things were only getting worse now. He spent an unusual amount of his time thinking about Mikey before, but he now felt as if he had to. Picking Mikey Way apart reached the top of Frank’s agenda. Only pushing the urgent task of getting himself together lower and lower.

Frank slammed his eyes shut as he strained an exhale. He was a mess.

He felt his phone vibrate on the bed next to him and immediately reached for it. He contemplated whether or not to pick it up before it vibrated again, then he determined it “urgent” enough to not put off responding. Good thing he did. He read two text messages from Mikey. Then he read them again, and again, and again, and again, and until he could repeat the statements verbatim in an impeccable Mikey impression.

“idk if you care but i turned gabe”

“that’s why he’s everywhere”

“or maybe the d is just that good lol :)”

All of the sudden, Frank was pinned under Mikey again. He could feel Mikey’s soft lips slightly brush against his skin, and breath trailing down his neck. He could feel the strength that Mikey was unknowingly pulsing down into his wrists, in order to hold himself without laying on Frank. Without crushing him. He could vividly imagine how it must’ve felt. To have Mikey’s teeth sunken into his own neck. To watch the blood spill out while Mikey licked him clean. Preying on him and nearly consuming him. He never wanted to be Gabe Saporta so badly before.

Then he remembered the third message.

Frank immediately unlocked his phone to respond. Mikey never explicitly told him about whatever was taking place between him and Gabe, but he knew. He wasn’t that clueless.

“lol what??”

Frank wanted to know more. Something in him was desperate for whatever secrets Mikey was holding back. He couldn’t be too eager, since any emotion other than curiosity might have hindered his chances at uncovering every dirty detail.

“omg i didn’t tell you”

Correct, Mikey. Frank thought to himself as a malicious, shit-eating grin crept across his face. Keep going. He fought the urge to drop his phone and rub his hands together like some cartoon villain concocting his master plan.

“yeah so me and gabe hooked up”

“and he found out bc i almost bit his neck”

“then he asked me to turn him and i did like a dumbass”

“and we kept hooking up”

“brooo nooo wayyy” Frank sent back. Using an uncharacteristic amount of extra letters at the end of each word. He wanted more, and he felt awful for it.

He couldn’t bear to read whatever Mikey sent next, if he were even to respond. Instead, he opted to blindly chuck his phone then roll over, and proceed to scream into the closest pillow until his throat burned.

-

“And you did what?”

Gerard looked over as his brother sat. His phone in his hand as he hugged his knee to his chest with his other arm.

“Bro, I don’t know what I was thinking.” Mikey replied softly.

“Clearly,”

Gerard wasn’t mad. Well, he shouldn’t have been. The best word to describe him was confused. Mikey had explained how he told Frank that the two of them were vampires, and then proceeded to “pretend” to attack him. Like bros do.

“I don’t know G he’s just. No, I can’t.” Mikey hesitated.

Mikey sighed before lowering his tone. “I thought it was cute. I guess.” He muttered bashfully.

Gerard chortled, failing to compose himself before speaking again. “Seeing him scared for his life just gets your pants all tight, huh? Mikey, you’re a creep.”

Mikey covered his face in embarrassment. Not only was Gerard making fun of him, but he was spot on. Seeing Frank so flustered was all a part of the sick thrill. He really was a creep, at least he felt that way. Mikey was only testing the waters; seeing little by little how far he could go. He only needed to develop the self control to not go too far too early, or else his poorly-developed elaborate plan would be ruined.

-

“I’m so glad you’re cool about this.”

Mikey and Frank found their way out of each other’s houses for once. They walked aimlessly up and down the street, subconsciously keeping a subtle distance between themselves. Mikey couldn’t spend another dusky, blurry afternoon muddling into the evening cooped up in his room with Frank. Mikey didn’t trust himself to be alone with him.

He would rather subject himself to the cold air piercing his skin through the layers he piled on, and managing to tackle his face even more harshly. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his zip up as he looked over at Frank. He couldn’t have been cold, chilly maybe, but not cold. Mikey was freezing. So much so that he could actually feel the heat radiating from his friend’s body.

“Mikey why would I care?” Frank beamed, smiling as he looked up. “You know lots of shit about me, I mean, it’s not like this changes anything.”

“Being a vampire sounds awesome.”

Mikey playfully wrapped his arm around Frank in an attempt to pull him closer. In actuality, he was desperate for the warmth Frank exuded. Being a vampire was not awesome, since it made him do things like this. He was hugging much tighter than he really needed to, and Frank was bound to say something soon. Mikey had to act faster.

“Yeah, sometimes.”

He could feel Frank warming up, and he knew it was his doing. He only felt a little bad, so he slightly loosened his hook around Frank’s body. He could faintly smell that signature Frank musk, and fought the urge to take a long, deep breath. The public setting was all the accountability he needed.

Frank leaned into Mikey’s embrace. He wanted it so badly. He didn’t care how tight it was, or that they were in public. He didn’t care how cold Mikey’s cheek felt against his forehead when he mistakenly nudged into it. His sudden, jerky movements spoke for themselves. He could hardly conduct himself around Mikey.

The scene in Mikey’s room started replaying in his head. The way Mikey could effortlessly pin him down. The way Mikey’s lips and breath felt as they brushed ephemerally against his neck. The way Mikey looked at him so viciously, yet so innocently all at once, like this was a game to him. Like he couldn’t get enough out of toying with Frank. All the sensations came crashing back over.

Frank took a thoughtful inhale to try and ground himself. He would probably forget to keep walking had he spent any longer wandering in his imagination. Besides, Mikey was right beside him, so there was no point in fantasizing. Mikey didn’t have to be some bloodthirsty predator hunting him down to draw him in. No, he was a sight to behold all on his own. The moonlight twinkling onto his face highlighted all of his features. His eyes were no longer that deep, ravenous red, but a beautiful, comforting hazel.

Those eyes.

Frank only realized how slow the two of them were walking when they eventually stopped. He didn’t notice it at first. He didn’t notice how Mikey’s hand had long drifted from his shoulder and rested lazily in his own clutch. Frank timidly looked down at their hands interlocked, and found Mikey’s eyes early on his way back up to examine them just a little while longer.

Mikey didn’t wait for Frank to conjure up a response.

“It’s cold out here, Frankie.” He said, raising his free head to rub the back of his head.

No it wasn’t. Well, maybe it was, for Mikey at least. He knew Frank was too busy studying his face, and he had no idea where he was anymore. Mikey couldn’t pretend to not love the attention any longer. However, he couldn’t let himself indulge in the flattery any further.

He’d gone too far, and it was too late. He was holding Frank’s hand as if they were the cheesy couple in a coming-of-age film. He was doing it in public too, and Frank’s reputation was already at risk. Girls already called Frank every name that there was, and here Mikey was only further perpetuating the ridicule. Based solely on the vaguely uncomfortable reaction elicited from the hand-holding, Mikey could infer that the side of Frank he was trying so hard to unveil was better kept wrapped away.

Maybe that was a side of Frank reserved only for Gerard.

Mikey felt awful. He felt as if he was using Frank for his own iniquitous pleasures, and just the thought of it made him disgusted. He didn’t want to prey on Frank. But the longer he held onto Frank, the more he felt his hand sting furiously. His fingers unraveled and made their way into his own pocket.

Frank nearly shuddered, feeling he and Mikey’s hands separate. He wanted to say something, he really did. It would’ve been best to say something around six hours ago when he was right in front of Mikey, and not when he was in bed preoccupied with the smallest interaction that still managed to drive him crazy.

No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn’t get Mikey. He was so much. He didn’t talk much, and Frank talked too much. Mikey was apparently harboring all these secrets, and he behaved so unusually too. There was no decoding Mikey Way, but Frank needed to decode him so badly.

He wanted answers. He wanted to know why he was so drawn to Mikey. How they managed to be so close yet so far. How Mikey could make him feel and think so many things each time they crossed paths. How Mikey could hack away at his foundations with ease and send him spiraling, and how he could do so unknowingly at times. He wanted to know; he wanted to understand. There was only one person Frank could think of who had seemed to crack Mikey, or at least get to a place that made Mikey feel obligated to keep them around. Well keep him around.

Gabe Saporta.

Chapter Text

Frank doesn’t go out of his way to talk to people who aren’t Mikey. He also does everything in his power to get out of interacting with Gabe Saporta. So when he found himself intentionally calling Gabe at whatever unholy hour of the night it was, Frank knew that something had definitely gone wrong.

He stared intently at the phone laying mere inches away from his face on his comforter. His bedroom had gone dead silent, only being filled with the light hum of the ceiling fan and patterned ringing of a phone call yet to be answered. The blue light emitted from the screen stung his eyes as he waited.

Frank grew more impatient with each passing second. He was so troubled that whatever Gabe did or didn’t tell him would be sufficient reassurance. His feelings, whatever they were, weighed heavily on his chest and fogged up his brain. He took a deep breath as the phone continued to ring on for what felt like an eternity.

“Hey Frank” Gabe finally answered, sounding as if he contemplated doing so.

Frank wasted no time. “Why’s Mikey like this?”

Both ends of the phone call went silent. Frank hadn’t been very specific, so Gabe couldn’t find an answer to give him. While Frank felt as if he had been clear enough, and continued to wait for Gabe to respond. He took the time to blink after having not done so due to his tremendous focus on the phone screen.

“What?” Gabe hacked the word out of his mouth. “Why the hell would I know? He’s your friend, Frank.”

“Yeah, right,” Frank paused. Gabe had a point, but at least he had a chance to alleviate his one-sided tension and state the obvious. “But I’ve never fucked him, so...” He said with insecurity in his voice, like a child never having used profanity before.

Gabe snickered, “Things might be different with girls but we don’t take our clothes off and talk about our feelings, Frank.”

“Wait, is that what this is about?” Gabe asked as if he was shocked. “I’m sensing some jealousy, Frankie.”

Frank went silent. He wouldn’t say he was jealous of them.

“Okay, you’re getting distracted.” Frank diverted the conversation back to his own ambiguous question. “I just wanna know why he’s so,”

“He’s so-”

“Awkward? Intimidating? Confusing?” Gabe cut him off in an attempt to fill in the blank.

There it was.

“Exactly.” Frank responded. “I just, he’s driving me crazy, Gabe.”

“Oh my goodness,” Gabe sighed. “You two are blind.”

“Blind?”

“Whatever you think is going on, Mikey probably thinks that too. I’m not gonna spell it out for you, so do with that what you will.”

Frank was just as confused as he was before, and Gabe speaking in riddles is no help.

“So, I’m gonna hang up on you now. Bye Frankie!” Gabe ended the phone call.

Frank kept the dumbfounded look on his face as if Gabe could see him. He immediately called him back.

“What do you want?”

“You can’t just say that, Gabe.”

“Well, I did. Why not?”

“‘Cause that doesn’t fucking mean anything.”

“Some guy you hang out with all the time is driving you crazy, Frank. You also spend the majority of that time just staring and smiling at him.”

“Do you need to be told how gay that is?”

It appears that Frank spent too much time concerned with how he thinks he looks to realize what he looks like; Gabe just put it in simpler terms.

“Well,” Frank hesitated. “What did you mean when you said that ‘Mikey probably thinks that too?’”

“I’m not answering that. You just want to hear me say it.”

“No, I-”

Gabe hung up on him again.

Fuck.

-

It was a usual show warm up, except it wasn’t.

The days had dragged along until the next show, and Frank had never been more prepared. He managed to forget lyrics and mess up nearly every note, playing as if he was under every influence there was.

“You’re throwing me off, Frank.” Ray told him. “You don’t pregame your own show, you know.”

“I’m not drunk,” Frank tried laughing off the embarrassment. “Just rusty. Probably.”

“Yeah, whatever the hell that means.” Bob replied, eliciting laughter out of everyone else.

Frank looked over at Mikey as his laughter began to fizzle into just a grin. Mikey had no reason to be laughing since all of their “extra practicing” was just an excuse to feel productive for hanging out. Feeling productive had very little to do with it anyway. Frank wanted to be around Mikey, and according to Gabe, Mikey wanted to be around him as well.

Now was not the time for Frank to stare at Mikey, he’d done enough of that already. It just felt impossible to look away now. Mikey had him questioning everything about their bond, and he seemed so unbothered by it all. He could just sit there laughing along at a joke at Frank’s expense when he knew things would be different had the two of them been alone.

They played worse than usual, but at least they played. It was over, and they lingered around the venue for the rest of the evening. Mikey retreated to the corner, and Frank followed him. The ambient buzz of the venue rang in his ears as he leaned against the wall. He looked up to see Mikey’s face, looking as introspective as usual. He wanted nothing more than to understand him, to know him. Mikey was beginning to consume his every thought, and Frank’s fleeting hope that maybe the same was true for Mikey as well was only fueled by Gabe’s comment.

“You gonna stare at me all night?” Mikey asked without looking. It was as if he already knew, or that he was just expecting it.

“Uhm,” Frank spat out, at his wit’s end. “Maybe. Probably.”

Mikey laughed as he reached an arm around him. “Frankie, you’re so silly. I don’t think I say that enough.”

Frank felt his temperature rising. Mikey was hugging him in public; something he’d never done before. Frank only realized recently how touchy was, and he really had no idea how to feel about it. Why did he only get in his head about the way he and Mikey were now?

“I’m,” Frank’s voice faltered. “I’m silly?”

“Yeah– kinda. I guess.” Mikey gulped, beginning to regret his word choice. “I mean, you’re awesome, and you’re funny, but yeah, I guess you’re silly too. I don’t know.” He pulled Frank in closer. The sensation elicited a shameful noise out of Frank, a sound resembling the way a cat purrs. He felt ridiculous allowing himself to act so naturally. But only for a moment, it didn’t matter.

“I’m sorry,” Frank chirped. “About that. I-”

Mikey slowly tilted his head down, lips brushing against Frank’s skin considering that they were just that close to each other. He took his time before stopping right above Frank’s earlobe.

“You’re fine,” Mikey spoke softly, not quite low enough to be whispering.

The build up for such brevity sent chills rattling down Frank’s spine. He wouldn’t dare move now, he felt Mikey had to have more for him. He pushed back against the wall in an attempt to keep himself from slipping, the force pulsing in his fingertips as they pressed into the textured brick wall. His heartbeat increased in speed as his breathing became forced and deft.

Mikey either didn’t notice, or didn’t care.

Mikey didn’t know what to do. It seemed as though Frank couldn’t decide whether or not he wanted out. The way he leaned into Mikey’s touch, but also looked as if he was on the brink of collapsing in his arms. The worst part in Mikey’s mind was that Frank remained completely silent. Frank just stood there as if he was being boiled alive.

It was definitely his own fault, in a way. Mikey knew better than to rile him up in public. Based on his reaction, or lack thereof, in the privacy of his room, there was no way Frank was going to do anything in response to Mikey’s embrace now that they were in public. Now that he had become so conscious of it. Now that it’s becoming a problem.

Frank sealed his eyes shut.

“Fuck,” he cried.

Mikey’s mind was reeling. He couldn’t see through Frank anymore. That could’ve been a cry of exasperation, confusion, or even arousal. Whatever it was, it didn’t make sense.

Mikey took his arm back, “Are you okay?”

Frank nearly stumbled at the sudden loss of support. He promptly picked himself up, turning to completely face Mikey.

“Yeah, yeah,” He lazily slid his hands into his pockets, tossing his head to the right. “I’m good, trust.”

Mikey forced himself not to laugh. The same person who was just hot and bothered, struggling to stand up straight over a simple side hug was insisting it had no affect on him whatsoever. Mikey held his tongue, letting the witty comeback he conjured up live on only in his head. HE couldn’t help the grin plastered onto his face, however.

“Right,” Mikey responded.

Frank looked back with his eyes, feeling a smile form on his own face as well.

Mikey knew what he was doing, even when he didn’t.

Chapter Text

Mikey’s house was basically designated for practicing music. Along with pretending to practice music, and hanging out, and shooting the breeze, and sitting in silence. Mikey and Ray made sure to check every box today. They compiled a grand total of 15 minutes playing out of the two hours spent in the basement.

Mikey sat on the couch with his face buried in his phone, his bass having been set in its stand for around 20 minutes. Ray sat across from him, the basement couch being spacious enough to allow for space between them.

Mikey only practiced in his bedroom with Frank. It made no sense to do so otherwise. His room was cramped, and the basement had much better acoustics in the first place. Frank was the only person Mikey was somewhat okay with being crammed against, and he never gave that feeling much thought. That’s just how they were after all, so the proximity didn’t seem like an issue.

“Frank seems a little out of it,” Ray broke the silence which began to fill the room’s atmosphere.

Ray knew Mikey for as long as he could remember. He knew everything about Mikey, and no secret would, or could, go uncovered. So when Frank entered the picture, he knew things about that dynamic before either of them did. Ray wasn’t offended that someone else had taken on the role of Mikey’s closest friend, because the bond they shared exceeded something platonic. Mikey’s action alone gave it away, and Frank did very little to combat the notion Ray had developed. All of the subtle teasing about how the two were madly in love had very little effect on Frank

Mikey had suddenly found the one person who could take him anywhere, make him smile, and have him unusually concerned with how he looked. Before Frank came along, Mikey lived as if life was something that just happened to him as opposed to something he got to experience. It certainly felt that way to Mikey, at least it used to. Living had meaning for mortals, since they only had so much time to dwell the earth. Mikey didn’t get to live forever, he had to. He found no purpose in forming strong connections with people who didn’t understand, and at least Ray didn’t pester him about it. Ray was one of the few people who was okay with not understanding. Not just because he didn’t really want to, but because he knew he never could. Being forced to live the way Mikey, or Gerard, or any other vampire had to didn’t sound very appealing to him in the first place.

However, Frank sparked something in him. Mikey didn’t look at existence with such nihilistic disdain anymore, because he found someone who evoked a sensation he had yet to discover. This feeling, despite having lingered for years, has been acknowledged on occasion but has yet to be named.

“I mean,” Mikey shrugged, failing to look up from the screen. He knew Frank was off; it was his own fault anyway. Mikey was purposely riling him up, because simply asking for what he wanted wasn’t an option. He wanted Frank, but having him now meant so much more than it did before.

“I guess,” Mikey said daftly, like every other word had frantically escaped his mind. “Now that you bring it up.”

Ray didn’t appreciate the way Mikey feigned incognizance. If Mikey had bothered to look up, he’d see the unamused expression on Ray’s face. No one was more fed up with the cluelessness than Ray was. He’d endured it the longest, and saw past the phlegmatic pretense Mikey had built for himself.

“Trouble in paradise?”

“We’re not together.” Mikey snapped his head up, his tone shifting to one of annoyance.

Mikey wasn’t wrong either; he and Frank weren’t together. No matter what anyone else thought. No matter what he wanted to be true. Frank made that much clear, and Mikey didn’t want to be reminded of it. His lips began curling into a pathetic pout as the guilt of snapping began to set in.

Ray ran his calloused fingers through his hair as he sat up, now looking directly into Mikey’s eyes. He took a moment to just look at Mikey, ensuring he had his attention.

“Seriously?”

Mikey nodded slowly, cautiously, afraid to break eye contact. “Seriously. We’re not.” He chirped as he failed to steady his voice, unsure of whether or not the question was rhetorical. Mikey was slow to anger, knowing had anyone else asked him that question he would’ve completely lost it. Ray had good intentions, and his blunt interrogation didn’t strike Mikey as a threat of any sort.

“I can’t believe it,” Ray shook his head, leaning back as he reached for his forehead. “I can’t believe you’re enough of a coward to let this go on for so long.”

Mikey furrowed his eyebrows, puzzled at a statement that definitely made enough sense. “Wha-”

Ray promptly cut him off, “Don’t act clueless, Mikey. You and Frank have been fucking around with each other’s minds for years now, and you’re telling me neither of you have the guts to do anything about it?”

“You’re playing the long game, Mikey.”

Mikey had never thought about how other people might look at his relationship with Frank. It never really mattered to him what other people thought about them in the first place. They weren’t Frank, so Mikey disregarded their opinions almost by default. However, there were now three different people telling him he was in love with his best friend, so it was about time he came to terms with reality.

That feeling he discovered had a name, and it was a name Mikey wasn’t ready to bestow it with.

“Well, what do I do?” Mikey asked, the desperation slipping out with each word. “I don’t know what to do about ‘this,’ or us, or any of it. I’m so confused, Ray.”

“I just get Frank. We click, y’know. At least I thought so. But I don’t know what he wants, and he knows what I want. I don’t have to spell it out for him, or maybe I do. I don’t know, Ray. He’s just not making any sense to me.”

Ray’s hand had now moved to cover his mouth, which would be hanging agape had he not been holding his jaw in place. He sighed deeply before finding the right words to respond to the seemingly never ending stream of frustration flowing from the sentient mess that was Mikey Way.

“Here’s an idea,” Ray clapped his hands together as he pulled his face into a displeased, miffed expression.

“Why don’t you just do something?”

He pried his eyes open to meet Mikey’s listless expression.

It was just that easy, wasn’t it?

-

Things were going well, almost too well. Mikey and Frank were talking as they usually did: Frank unknowingly on a tangent and Mikey patiently listening. Patience was a skill Mikey had mastered. After years of listening to Frank go on about girls, and ignoring the knot forming within his stomach, patience just came naturally. The feeling that brewed within him was adjacent to jealousy, but that never made enough sense to him. Mikey couldn’t think of a reason as to why he’d be jealous of what Frank did with girls, or really anyone who wasn’t himself, so he decided it was best to suppress the “jealous” feeling and never acknowledge it.

Unfortunately, suppressing his feelings was no longer an option. Not when everything was finally starting to click. Not when his infatuation with Frank had long surpassed the boundaries of friendly admiration. Not when he looked at Frank and felt the “hunger” that stemmed from a deep, rousing desire to have Frank for himself, in a way that no one else was allowed to.

Mikey had to do something.

He had to do something before the immense emotional warfare Frank was subjecting him to swallowed him whole. He couldn’t avoid an issue that existed not only outside of his own mind, but in the minds of others.

Frank wasn’t oblivious either. He no longer knew how he felt about Mikey, or how Mikey felt about him. His confusion was only fueled by the sudden surge of awareness he was experiencing.

Frank began to notice how the door into Mikey’s room never hung wide open, and that the lights were always dim, and that the two of them always sat so close, and that Mikey’s hair and glasses framed his face so well, and that his pointed, knife-liked canines made his smile irresistible, and that his face in general was just perfect, and that he exhibited an otherworldly beauty unlike any other person Frank had ever come across, and that they were close enough to brush each other’s faces if either of them dared to moved, and that seemingly everything made him think of Mikey.

Frank spent so much time enraptured by the thought of Mikey that he hadn’t noticed he began to face him. Mikey looked in his eyes, waiting for Frank to turn and meet him. He slowly turned his body to face Frank’s, giving his undivided attention while waiting for even a sliver of acknowledgement.

Frank eventually turned his head, overcoming the gut feeling that advised him not to do so. He immediately met the gaze of the boy plaguing his every thought; the eyes that would haunt him indefinitely. He felt a timorous grin weakly stretch his lips as his eyebrows furrowed and his cheeks beamed a warm red. Mikey’s languid expression alone turned Frank into a malleable husk of himself, which he would be ashamed of had this feeling of security been inflicted by anyone else. The days when Frank felt as if he had anything to hide from Mikey were long gone, and he got over his fear of being real in his presence. Frank felt like nothing else mattered in this moment. He swam in Mikey’s eyes and knew better than to look back.

“Frank, I can’t keep pretending.” Mikey spoke. His words had resounded in Frank’s ear despite being no louder than a whisper.

Frank went still with fear. Mikey could’ve been pretending about a lot of things. He harbored an innumerable amount of secrets, and Frank realized he’d probably spend a lifetime trying to unveil them all.

“I just,” Mikey paused, taking a moment to decide whether or not he was ready to take this step. His next move could make or break his relationship with Frank, and Frank meant the world to him. He couldn’t afford to mess this up and resort to his old ways. The years he spent with Frank showed him a side of life he hadn’t bothered to seek out before. This relationship helped him find a purpose; Frank helped him find a purpose.

“I don’t know, Frank. I really hope you don’t hate me, because I’d hate that.” Mikey locked his fingers with Frank’s as he went. “I just, you mean so much. This means so much. I don’t wanna mess that up.”

Frank slightly tilted his head to the side, expressing his confusion as subtly as possible. Their faces were merely inches apart, and every last one of Mikey’s words had landed softly on Frank’s face before seeping into his skin. He knew what was about to happen, but he couldn’t comprehend it. He couldn’t believe it. He couldn’t accept it.

They spent a moment in silence before Mikey couldn’t wait any longer. He wrapped his free hand around the nape of Frank’s neck, pulling him in to press their lips together.

The kiss was fleeting, ending right as it began. Frank didn't have enough time to reciprocate it, given he hardly had enough time to process what was happening to him. Instead, he stared blankly at Mikey’s face. His lips slightly parted as he wore an expression resembling that of a lobotomized housewife.

Mikey was overcome by a bashful sense of regret. He snapped his head away from Frank, unraveling their interlocked fingers and snaking both hands into his own lap.

“This was a mistake,” He muttered, anxiously gnawing at his bottom lip. “Frankie, I’m so sorry.”

Frank decided that now, all of times, was the perfect moment to exhibit his stellar communication skills, as he could only conjugate a two word exclamation to respond to the word salad Mikey force fed him.

“Holy shit.” He spat out, not breaking eye contact with the wall behind Mikey’s head.

This was going to be a long night.

Chapter Text

The two lingered in the silence for a moment longer. Both were unsure of what to do or say next.

“Did you hate it?” Mikey mumbled without turning to face Frank.

“No, no, no, I would, I just,” Frank stammered on and on, still having not moved or even closed his eyes since Mikey broke away. “Wow, Mikey. I don’t know what to say.”

“Did you like it?” Mikey asked timidly, unable to fight the smile forming on his face.

Frank snickered, moving in closer to Mikey. He slung his arm across Mikey’s shoulder and pulled him in. He pressed his forehead against Mikey’s cheek, the frigid skin piercing against his own.

“Yeah, Mikey.” He beamed. “I guess I did.”

Frank felt Mikey’s cheek shift away from him as Mikey reached for his chin. He lifted Frank’s face, and the two shared a glance into each other’s minds. They experienced an understanding that bordered on telepathy before crashing into each other’s lips. The kiss was light, simple, easy. It was something that the two of them had waited far too long for.

The two eventually broke apart to breathe and to reflect. The air was thick and suffocating, with no words to break the silence. There was nothing platonic about what had just happened, and it wasn’t something you could just ignore.

“So,” Frank began to look around, almost as if he was expecting to see something different. “That was cool, I guess.”

Frank seemed to guess a lot of things, didn’t he?

-

Mikey didn’t party. He spent his nights hugging the wall whenever he was out, while Frank would find himself in the midst of the crowd. He was the life of the party, if you will, and Mikey was the complete opposite. So it was no surprise to anyone that the two had lost each other about 30 minutes into the function.

The party was held in celebration of something for someone Frank probably knew, and someone Mikey definitely didn’t. Frank wasn’t the kind of person to turn down an invite, however. The real question was why Mikey decided to tag along. He knew himself well enough to have already formed an idea of how this night would go, but he couldn’t back out. There was a part of him that felt as if he now had something to prove. Whether he could admit it or not, Frank was no longer just his friend. There was no turning back, and Mikey could handle sacrificing his comfort for one night. So he waited patiently as he detached himself from the sea of kids, his hope of Frank returning fleeting.

Mikey worriedly looked around the trashed living area. Each face blurred into the next, and not a single face was familiar. Waiting for Frank felt endless, and his patience began to falter. Mikey was freezing, on edge, and so achingly hungry. All of the exposed skin didn’t help him to keep his ravenous urges at bay either. Frank was all he needed to stay grounded in that moment, and it was a good thing that he finally appeared.

Frank waltzed over, his cheeks tinted and his hair a mess. He grinned daftly as he looked up to meet Mikey’s eyes. He wore an annoyed expression, despite being incapable of getting annoyed with Frank’s antics. That skill would be helpful in times like these. In times when he should’ve found the will to tell Frank off for abandoning him, but instead just smiled in his face like they were children being reunited.

“Frankie,” Mikey beamed. “Where have you been?”

He wrapped his arms around Frank, pulling him in and engulfing him. Frank froze as Mikey squeezed him. Not only was Mikey securing him, but he felt every eye in the room sting his skin. Mikey couldn’t just do things like that anymore. Every touch had meaning now, and that meaning varied from person to person. In a room densely packed with an innumerable number of people, there was no telling what they’d think. Frank was horrified, really. Something about the prospect of interacting with Mikey alone had him in his head all night. He didn’t have a reason to act the way he did around Mikey before last night, but one kiss changed the course of their whole bond. Their whole relationship.

Despite Mikey’s freezing body wrapped around him, Frank began to sweat in his embrace. His nerves got the best of him, and his body began to betray him. His heart battered in his chest as his lips went sore from being pursed together for so long. Mikey really wasn’t holding him that tightly, but his brain allowed him to believe that much.

“Oh,” He finally blurted out. “Party doesn’t start ‘til I arrive, y’know?” Frank chuckled the excuse out of his mouth while wriggling away from Mikey’s grasp. He figured that whatever nonsense he just spewed would be more understandable than explaining that he can hardly look Mikey in the eyes without feeling like his own are seconds away from popping out of their sockets.

Frank proceeded to look away, snaking his hands into his pockets as he lightly tapped his foot. His cheeks remained flushed as he avoided Mikey’s gaze. The unspoken agreement that their newfound dynamic would stay between them had only existed in Frank’s head, so he took a moment to compose himself before saying, or doing, something he’d regret. Mikey still reached out for his hand, settling on running a hand down the other boy’s forearm until he couldn’t reach any further.

Frank lit up, feeling the frigid, calloused fingers against his skin. His head immediately snapped to find Mikey looking right at him. Mikey’s expression had softened; he simpered, looking down as he lightly rubbed circles onto Frank’s wrist. Feeling Frank’s rapid heart rate recede brought Mikey a sense of relief. He could hardly pretend to buy Frank’s excuse of bringing the event to life due to the way Frank could hardly say it himself. Mikey wouldn’t pry any further because, as far as he was aware, Frank had no reason to lie to him. Mikey looked over to the exit, then looked back at Frank in front of him.

“You wanna get out of here?” Mikey gestured to the door with his shoulder, his tone hardly coherent through the pounding bass of the music.

Frank nodded vehemently before Mikey tugged him by the wrist, pulling both of them towards, and ultimately out of, the door.

The two of them wandered down the empty sidewalk, the moonlight cast onto their faces as the crisp air pierced their skin. Mikey took the chance to slither his fingers down and lock them with Frank’s own. He tightened his grip before Frank could choose to reciprocate. Their hands gently swung from the force of Mikey’s grasp. He looked around, waiting for Frank to say something, or even to acknowledge him. The pair carried on, marching aimlessly for blocks in silence. They came to an abrupt halt upon accepting that they were completely lost at ass o’clock.

The two shared a glance before looking away coyly like schoolgirls. Mikey took it upon himself to place a swift peck on Frank’s forehead, which elicited a timid giggle from him.

“I’m not your grandma, Mikey.” He cooed, forcing himself to look away from his shoes and make eye contact. He pressed his lips against Mikey’s now that the leering eyes of his peers were nowhere to be found. He broke away before pulling Mikey in, gripping the thick fabric of his sweater to pull him flush against himself.

Mikey groaned into Frank’s mouth. His hunger had become overwhelming, and the musk of Frank wafting into his particularly sensitive nostrils only made matters worse. His groan grew into a ferocious growl as he felt his self-control slipping. Mikey reluctantly pulled Frank off of himself and stepped away.

“Sorry, Frankie,” He breathed heavily, one hand gripping his chest as the other sat lazily on his waist. “I’m actually really hungry right now, so this just isn’t a smart idea.” He shifted his hand to his head, peering into the distance for bystanders.

“I wouldn’t mind it,” Frank murmured, speaking before taking the time to think his proposal through. If not for the heat of the moment, Frank most likely wouldn’t have offered himself as Mikey’s next meal. Mikey slowly turned to look back at him. His jaw hung open as the hand remained on his head.

“Frankie,” Mikey scoffed, a stifled cloud of breath escaping his lips. “I couldn’t, I could never hurt you.” A concerned grin began to form on his face.

Frank was flattered, exhilarated even, that Mikey was so adamant about not hurting him. It was especially rousing knowing just how capable Mikey was of doing serious damage, yet he chose to be gentle.

“You don’t have to turn me, Mikes,” Frank entreated him, looking up through his eyelashes. “Just a little prick to hold you over.”

-

Mikey led the way as the pair staggered to his house. They crept through the darkness, weaving their way through the halls until they reached Mikey’s bedroom door. Mikey pushed the handle into the room, the door creaking as it slowly turned in its hinges. He hurried over to light the candle near his desk, opting not to scorch their eyes with the fluorescent ceiling lights. The miscellaneously autumn-scented candle gave the otherwise pitch black bedroom a homely, comfortable atmosphere.

The woody yet sweet aroma wafting in the air, mixed with their equally obstructed vision, established an alluring mood. The pair had no choice but to rely on their other senses to engage with each other. Mikey pinned Frank down onto his mattress and sighed breathily down his neck.

“We don’t have to do this, Frankie,” Mikey whispered, his lips nearly enveloping Frank’s ear.

“Please do.” Frank prodded pathetically.

“Well, if you insist,” Mikey sighed breathily. He placed a sloppy, open-mouthed kiss on Frank’s neck. He nipped and sucked at the skin, hoping to leave a hickey extravagant enough to conceal the tick marks his bite would leave behind.

Frank whimpered softly into Miky’s ear and ran his fingers through his hair. He lightly held Mikey’s head in place, hoping he’d get the whole biting thing over with and let this last forever.

“C’mon, Mikey,” He whined softly. “You’re such a tease.

Frank might’ve spoken too soon, because Mikey pricked him immediately after. Frank gasped at the overstimulating sequence that followed. Mikey’s breathing clogged his ears, while the sensation of a tongue lapping fervently at his neck sent Frank’s head reeling. In all honesty, Frank hardly felt the “bite” itself. It was like getting blood drawn at the doctor's, except you were kind of in love with the doctor, and he proceeded to lick you clean as opposed to bandaging your wounds. It only took seven words to snap the two out of their ephemeral bliss.

“What the fuck are you two doing?”

Gerard flicked the ceiling light on to reveal himself standing in the doorway, wearing a distraught expression on his face.

The two look up at him, struggling to pry themselves off of each other. Frank slips out from beneath Mikey, sitting up and grabbing a hand to cover his stinging neck. There was no saving this scene, regardless of what anyone did.