Chapter Text
The sun beat down on Frank's skin, he could feel his tan darkening already and he knows that if it wasn't for the nice sea breeze he'd be way too warm. Saying that, where Gerard was laying against his side was clammy but he didn't have the heart to move.
After a busy few months for both of them they had taken a week off and drove to the rural and scenic west coast of Ireland. It was there last full day and having been blessed with some brilliant weather they were now laying in a meadow on a mountain side which ended with a steep cliff into the sea. Frank thought it was probably the most beautiful place he'd ever been, the stuff of fiction and classical paintings.
The meadow they were in was of lush green grass and wild flowers and for probably the first time in his life, this year Frank hadn't experienced any hay fever or allergies. The meadow was steepened and faded into a high mountain range that extended far to either side, framing the view of the ocean.
Gerard had been up early that morning after having some strange dreams so after having some breakfast they had driven around the mountains for hours, exploring the tiny roads where the sheep roamed free. They had parked the car up a while ago and walked out to the meadow so make the most of the mid-afternoon sun. The patch of grass around them was flattened from them rolling around and making out for a while but for now they were happily relaxed side by side, Frank's T-shirt crumpled up under his head.
"This has been such a nice week," Frank muses, smiling when he feels Gerard place a small kiss on his shoulder.
"Mhmm. We should do this more often, even just for a weekend," he agrees, "I miss Bowie and Drac though, we should try bring them next time."
"Me too, but I'm know Aiden loves looking after the cat and dog," Frank says, giving Gerard's shoulder a squeeze, "This time tomorrow we'll have them back anyways and you can treat them like children again," Frank laughs, seeing Gerard prop himself up on his elbow bedside him to look down on him.
"They are our children Frank," he smiles, "And I'll treat them a much as I want, just because you don't think they should sleep in our room," he laughs and Frank has to lean up and kiss him. They are their kids basically though, after they'd decided a long time ago that they didn't want children and were happy to be uncles to Mikey's kids and their friends kids, they adopted the cat and dog from a shelter.
"You know I'm only joking," Frank says against Gerard's lips, "I think we should get another cat or dog too, now that we're settled in the house and we have a garden and stuff," Frank proposed, sitting up beside Gerard.
"Really?" Gerard asks looking giddy at the thought of more pets, "We should go next week, see what's there," he says, eyes going unfocused as he begins to talk about getting more bowls and collars and how much he loves rescuing animals.Frank just grins and nods along, also excited about getting a companion for their cat and dog, he'd been thinking about it for a while honestly but wanted to wait until they were completely settled in the house.
They'd bought the house about 7 months ago when the flat they'd shared since they got together had started to get too small and impractical with their combined possessions, a cat and dog, and no designated space for Frank's music or Gerard's art. Luckily for them it wasn't long after they'd started looking that they'd found the right house, the perfect house.
It was an old townhouse, a little further out from the city centre than their old flat but still a walkable distance. It was in an old square with a large green in the middle that had a small pond and lots of trees, perfect for a stroll. The house was big, especially after the flat, and meant that they actually had rooms for different things rather than one for everything. It was a typical own house for Dublin, it had a cellar and four floors above ground, with the top two having low ceilings and a lot less decor than the others, and an average sized garden out the back. The ground floor was their main living area with the kitchen, living room, dining room (though most of the time, unless they had guests, they ate at the small table in the kitchen), a sizeable entrance hall and small wet room at the back.
The next floor held their master bedroom with ensuite and a view of the mountains (something they insisted on after coming to love the view from the flat), an office and room which they'd converted from a bedroom to a room for all their books and some cosy chairs. The floor up from that was a couple of guest bedrooms and a bathroom, and the floor above that, which had great light after they'd put in some skylights, was Gerard's home studio.
The cellar was where Frank had a home studio come music room, with the remaining space being used for storage.
Buying a house had honestly been a very quick decision and only afterwards had they realised that they actually needed the space. The real reason they had first decided it had come after they'd finished having sex just inside the front door. Gerard still had Frank pinned against the door and they were still breathing heavily and coming down from their orgasms.
- ••
"We should buy a house," Frank said as Gerard let him down gently, still pinning him to the door so he didn't fall down.
"Yeah?" Gerard panted as he dragged his mouth up Frank's neck before kissing him loosely, hands running restlessly over Frank's hips and thighs.
"Totally. Somewhere big, we've had sex on every surface of this place at least ten times," Frank said when he had pulled his mouth away from Gerard's, who was then kissing his neck. "We can do it all over the new place, and get somewhere with a garden, an attic for you," Frank goes on.
"Sure, yeah," Gerard replied nonchalantly, still rubbing Frank's hips and kissing his neck.
"Gerard," Frank frowned. lifting Gerard's face up, "I mean it, let's buy a house, I'm serious" he said.
"I know, Frankie. Let's go for it, you don't need to convince me," Gerard smiled beautifully and Frank was nearly blinded for a moment, as usual.
"Oh, okay," Frank grinned and blushed, "Well then, if you're so insistent on trying to get me hard again let's at least get as far as the bed," he smirked, pushed his hips forward.
Gerard just kissed him and picked him up.
Frank was snapped out of his thoughts by a peck on the lips and Gerard's amused smile, "You okay? You're kind of out of it?" he asks.
Frank grins and nods, a blush creeping onto his cheeks, "Yeah. I just…" and then he doesn't know what to say really, "I love you," is what he settles on.
Gerard giggles bashfully and kisses Frank slowly and sweetly before standing up and suggesting they take a long walk back to the car. They're walking down along the rocky shore, hand-in-hand, when a man appears a few meters in front of them seemingly out of nowhere.
For a summery day on a rural stretch of coastline, the man is dressed very smartly. He's wearing a tailored black suit and tie combo, and his dark dreadlocks are back from his face. There's something unusual about him, Frank thinks, his dark skin looks flawless, ageless, he look like he could stand like a statue for days on end; and his eyes are such an intense red colour that he feels frightened.
"Gerard," he whispers urgently, stopping in his tracks and tugging Gerard back to stand beside him.
Gerard turns away from staring at the sea to look at Frank, "Yeah?" he asks, looking confused before looking to where Frank is looking.
The man steps forward when he sees they've both acknowledged him, "Frank, Gerard," he says in a smooth voice, "It's good to finally get to talk to you both."
"Who are you?" Frank answers, a frown on his face as he pulls Gerard closer, "How do you know our names?"
"My name is Lou Idris," he says in a smooth voice that lacked any particular accent, and I know a lot about you two, a lot more than just your names. I realise this is very strange, and that you're both very wary of me now, but I ask you hear me out and listen carefully to what I want to tell you. I have things to tell you both, quite a bit of explaining to do, and then a life-changing proposition for you," Idris explains smoothly and eloquently.
Frank glances at Gerard nervously before looking back at an expectant Lou, "What if we don't want to talk to you?"
"Then I'll ask again soon," he shrugs, "I promise that all I want to do is talk, no catch, all I ask is for you to listen," he says honestly.
Gerard looks to Frank then and squeezes his hand, and when he squeezes back Gerard answers Lou that they'll listen to what he has to say, as long as he explains why they have to. Tom agrees and asks them to step into the mouth of a cave (where Frank now presumes he came from) so they can speak where they're not as exposed.
Cautiously they follow him into the cave that has a strange dark pool a few metres from the entrance, and continues back another ten metres before there's a turn in the path. They walk around to the opposite side of the pool and Lou gestures for them to sit across from him on a smooth, flat slab of rock.
"How do you know us? Why?" Gerard asks the moment they sit down, resting one hand just above Frank's knee.
Lou looks between them and clasps his hands in front of himself, pausing briefly before he begins to speak at length about how he knows them and for how long he's known them. They learn that he has distantly watched them since they met for short periods of time to learn about them, but that they've been on the radar for his "community" since they were teenagers. When Frank asks if this is something normal, if it happens often, Lou smiles and shakes his head, telling them that it's unusual enough for people to be observed from when they're teenagers, and even rarer that anyone gets to the point that they're still watched and greeted in later life. He says that the community he comes from observes important people, people who will make a difference or improve the world in some way or another, people who are born special. Most people are watched for potential to be great, but 99% are never approached; and those who are, are almost always in a relationship.
"Why us?" Gerard asks, still trying to soak up all Lou has told them and wonder why this is happening.
"Well, I suppose you should know that the two of you were always supposed to be together, you're soul mates. When it comes to people being approached about what I'll tell you soon, it's almost always soul mates that are the ones. The love people meant for each other share fuels how important what they do can be," Lou explains as best he can, no matter how many times he does it it never gets easier trying to explain this to people. "The two of you will make huge cultural changes, you're meant for it. Gerard, your art will change things, Frank, your music will make differences you can't imagine; and all the other things you'll both do, and things you do together, it's unfathomable to explain to you now. Honestly, I don't quite understand it either every time I explain this to people but when things begin to happen, I understand it," he says honestly.
"Why are you telling us this? I don't understand why you're telling is this or why you know all of this? What's your community?" Frank asks in a fluster, frustrated by how confusing it all is.
"I'm telling you all of this so I can make my proposition, I need you to understand what I'm asking before I ask for an answer to what I need to ask, to tell," Lou says and he looks so earnest and that he needs them to really listen and consider that Frank wants to give how insane all this is a chance, even though the red eyes are still freaking him out.
"What's the question?" Frank asks.
"When it comes to people like the both of you, people who are important, the lifetime of a human being is too short to achieve everything possible. When a connection between two souls is so powerful one life isn't enough either. My community provides the means for which people like the both of you, like me, and like everyone else in the community can live indefinitely and provide the universe with the special energy and qualities you possess for longer."
"So it's like immortality?" Gerard asks.
"Yes and no. You can live indefinitely, for hundreds of years or longer, but there will come a point when you're ready, and the universe is ready to let you go. When the time comes the community will be there for you, and you will begin to age again, but the effects of being young for so long will mean that you'll age very slowly so even if you life for another sixty years after you begin to age, you won't have aged more than twenty or thirty. Also, you obviously won't age while you're on this path," Lou tells them.
"So, you're like a vampire?" Gerard frowns.
"No," Lou laughs, "Nothing as simple as that. You will have the supernatural beauty, and you'll never feel tired or get very sick, but there is no feeding on blood or turning into bats; you won't be hard as stone. You can still be injured and be hurt, but you'll heal quickly. You can still cut and grow your hair, get tattoos and all of that; you're not going to be like a vampire from the movies, or a vampire at all."
"So what are you then? If you're not a vampire?" Gerard asks even though he can't quite believe he's seriously having this conversation.
"We don't really have a name for ourselves, the community originates here in Ireland and we've been here longer than any humans. This cave is our place now, though we're spread across the world. If you're looking for something to call us though, we've been called the Sean Cine, the 'old race', by people since they arrived in Ireland around twelve thousand years ago, so you can say that if you like." Lou shrugged.
"Can we take a step back here for a moment? Are you saying that you guys in this community just go around choosing people you want to live in your elite little society?" Frank asks, mad at whoever these people are thinking they can go around picking and choosing people to join them.
"Oh no!" Loud stresses, "We don't make any choices, there is no hierarchy in the community either. Were simply a separate race, we all care for each other and if you're in trouble you're in we'll help each other out. No one chooses who leaves or joins the community, some of us, like myself are only there to explain this all to you and ask you to join. It's your choice and I'm a mediator. No one tells me to come and speak to you, it's just a feeling, a dream, a thought from something otherworldly. I can't quite describe it. For example, when I knew I had to watch the both of you, I woke up with your names and addresses in my head, and then I knew I had to follow you both. Thanks for moving to Ireland by the way, really shortened my commute," Lou smiled wryly.
"What about the people who you stop watching? You decide that." Frank frowns, he really doesn't like the idea of his life being picked above another. The idea of him always being meant for Gerard is a better one though.
"No I don't. Those people, I just forget about them one day and I don't see them anymore. I remember vague things about every person I see, but when I forget them I never remember enough to be able to see them again and that's fine by me."
"Okay," Frank says, not feeling so bad about this anymore, even though it is supremely weird. "So you want us to join this community?"
"Yes." Lou nods.
"What about our families? And people in general when they see that we're not ageing or getting old?" Gerard asks, looking at Frank worriedly before Lou speaks.
"This is the hard part. You'll outlive everyone you know now, your family and friends which is difficult but you'll be okay. Each of you can tell one person; Gerard, I presume yours will be Mickey, Frank, Aiden for you. We try to discourage from people telling a parent because they will pass away before their child anyway and won't know there is anything going on. Everyone apart from the people you tell won't notice that you're different. Well, they'll think there's something different about you, the things you thought when you seen me, my skin, my eyes etcetera, as a race the community are more beautiful to the human eye. But no one will notice you don't age, it's magic of some kind, there's people you've seen that you haven't noticed they don't age. The Master Painter, Caravaggio is enjoying an acting career at the moment under the pseudonym, Johnny Depp," Lou smiles, before becoming serious again. "You don't need to worry about anything, like I said before, we look after each other in this community. Any trouble your in, financially even, we'll always be here and if you join you'll understand what it means to be part of something like this. We'll be another family for you, but we don't mean to replace your own," Lou says.
"Jesus. I can't believe this is real," Frank says putting his head in his hands, it's so much to take in and he can't wrap his head around it. He feels Gerard put an arm around his shoulders and pull him closer.
"This isn't a joke, is it?" Gerard asks.
"No, it's definitely not that," Lou says honestly, shrugging like he wishes he could make this easier to explain.
"So what's the catch? You can't just be handing out immortality for nothing," Frank says suspiciously even tough he's quickly coming around to the idea.
"No catch. All you need to do is come to this cave at least once every five years and bring the stone I will give each of you. You just need to, recharge I guess, the stone in the pool. The magic needs to be rejuvenated, that's all is asked, your contributions to culture and society are payment enough. As a community we also meet every few years for a social function but you're under no obligation to attend."
"So. No catch. No nothing. You realise how fucking weird this all is right?" Frank says.
"Yeah," Lou shrugs, "It's never any less weird every time I have to do this."
Frank looks at Gerard whose looking back at Frank with a torn, desperate expression on his face. Frank holds his hand tightly and tries his best at a reassuring smile before turning back to Lou.
"Why now? Why are you asking us this now?"
"We ask people when they're at the right age for them, it's more about swooping in, for want of a better phrase, when people's bodies and health is in its prime. Right now the both of you are in that, and if you agree to join, you'll feel even better, you'll have more energy and stamina and be better overall. It's different for everyone, but right now is your time," Lou explains calmly.
"I know it's a huge question, a massive decision for you both to make but whatever questions you have you can ask and I'll answer honestly. If you say no, that's fine too, you'll leave here and forget any of this ever happened."
Frank nods slowly and breaths deep for a few moments trying to work out what he wants. He knows in his heart he wants to say yes because extra time with Gerard sounds like heaven, it's something they've said before. He can't deny that not dealing with his allergies, his sicknesses, and getting time to work on all the creative ideas in his head sounds good too. He doesn't feel so great about the bad, losing everyone they know now eventually, but the good outweighs that and if he makes important contributions (which he's still sure can't be right) then who is he to complain.
Gerard looks less sure when he looks at Lou and asks "Can we have more time to think?"
Lou nods and tells Gerard that he can give him a couple of days to think it over, "We'll come back here then and you can tell me your decision," he says standing up. He begins to walk more into the cave towards the darkness without another word.
Gerard turns towards Frank and rests his forehead on his shoulder, letting out a long sigh, "My head hurts from all that," he says.
Frank smiles and kisses Gerard's head gently, "Yeah. It's a lot to take in, I'm not quite sure I won't have to ask him to explain it again," he laughs, wrapping his arm around Gerard. "What do you want?" he asks quietly.
Gerard shrugs, "I'm just scared you know? What do you want?" he asks, raising his head so he can see Frank when he answers.
"You," Frank answers honestly, pecking Gerard's lips, "Extra time with you sounds like a dream come true, but any time I get with you sounds amazing too so as long as we're still together I'm happy. I won't be mad or anything if this isn't what you want," Frank explains.
"Really?" Gerard asks, the torn look returned to his face, his lip red from being caught between his teeth.
"I promise," Frank nods.
Gerard sighs and stands up, turning away from Frank and running his hands through his hair. "Ugh. It's just so gigantic and the logistics…" he trails off mumbling to himself before going silent. Frank's heart feels tight as he watches Gerard just stand with his back to him and stare out to sea for a while. He knows that Gerard is thinking too much about the details and not looking at the big picture but he's not going to interrupt him because it's important he works though it himself.
It's a few minutes before Gerard turns around looking around like he lost something, "Lou? Lou? Are you there?" Gerard calls, running towards the back of the cave.
"Gerard?" Frank asks, standing up to grab his arm, "Gerard what are you doing? Are you okay?"
Lou emerges back into sight just when Gerard arms his arms around Frank, "We'll do it, Lou. We say yes," he says.
"Woah, Gerard what's up? Are you sure?" Frank's so confused at Gerard's sudden change of heart he wants him to be sure.
"Yeah," Gerard grins, "Jesus yeah. Frankie, I love you so much, I want to spend as much time with you as I can get. Do you want this too?"
Frank feels his face burst into a smile then, "Yeah. God, yeah, so much," he says before kissing Gerard briefly but hard.
Lou is smiling when they break away, "I suppose I should explain how this goes," he says as he walks towards the pool, pulling a necklace with a large red gemstone on it from around his neck. He drops it in the pool which immediately turns black then he turns back to the two men who've stepped closer.
"This bit is weird, I need a drop of each of your blood to fall into the pool, just a prick of your finger will do," Lou says honestly and Gerard cringes beside Frank but holds out his hand first.
Lou gives him an understanding smile before pricking the top of Gerard's finger over the pool with a small pocket knife. Frank goes next and then Lou does it to himself. When his drop of blood hits the black water it turns red and seems to glow. They're all mesmerised by it for a moment before Lou crouches down beside it and puts his hand into the red water, when he pulls it out there are two flat, large pebbles sized red gems in his hand. He then reaches into pool and pull his necklace out an immediately the water is back to its original colour. He stands and turns to the two men, holding out his palm with the two new stones in it.
"These are for both of you, it's not mandatory, or needed, but you should carry them with you as much as you can. Mine is on a necklace, there's lots of creative way to carry them around. When you come back here at least every five years you'll need to prick your fingers again when the stones are in the pool, that's all," Lou smiles as they each take their stones, turning them over in their hands.
"Is that it? It's that easy?" Frank asks.
Lou looks sheepish then, "Well, not exactly. Right now you're still human for the most part so it's going to have to transition, to become like the rest of us. It will need to get used to the magic, it's like getting a transplant except every cell in your body is changing. You're going to be pretty sick and miserable for a few days, fever, vomiting… it will be pretty scary and you'll feel like your dying, look like it too, but you'll be fine, better than ever at the end of it," Lou says earnestly.
Frank sighs because that sounds like his winter flu but worse, "When?"
"On average most people get sick a week in," Lou tells him, "I'm glad you both made this decision, really. If you ever need anything call this number, or come here any time you like," he says as he hands over some paper with his name and number on it.
"Thanks," Gerard says, shaking his hand before Frank does and Lou walks back into the depths of the cave.
"Man, are you as tired as I am?" Frank asks when they're alone, leaning into Gerard.
"Yeah," Gerard yawns, "C'mon," he says he puts an arm around Frank and they leave the cave behind and head for their car in the low evening sun.
Exhaustion hits them both like a tonne of bricks and they only just make it back to the hotel without having to pull up for a nap. Frank had been hoping for some really hot sex but that's out of the question now that he's almost falling asleep in the elevator and Gerard keeps dropping the room key.
"I feel like Lou forgot to mention this," Frank yawns when they're in the room and he's discarding all his clothes except for his boxers.
"Me too," Gerard smiles sleepily but wryly as he closes the curtains. "Sleep wasn't what I was hoping for when I thought of getting back to the room," he frowns as he falls into the bed and pulls the covers up.
"Believe me, neither did I," Frank sighs as he joins Gerard, ready to pass out any moment. "We'll have time. I love you," he mumbles.
He feels Gerard's lips against his and lazily kisses back for a few moments. "Love you too, Frank," Gerard whispers and then everything is black.