Chapter Text
"So, tell me the whole story." She says, her sensual voice enticing.
"Whole story ?" I repeat, looking for a clarification on how detailed I should explain.
"With all the smallest details." She smiles.
I took a sip of my cocktail, eyeing her.
"Well, it all started in march, about 8months ago."
I was going to my shop in the City like I do everyday, and a tattoo artist had just opened, with no warning whatsoever, next to me. Surprised, I opened my own shop's door, looking around for my colleague.
"Hey, Gerard !" A low voice said from the room in the back.
"Hi, Grant." I smiled, leaving my tote bag on top of the mess on my big wooden table. Grant was dressed in their usual regular jeans and a light blue button up. They were drinking coffee in a mug, they looked like they had been waiting for me for a few minutes maybe.
"What's the thing that opened on the left ? I didn't even know it was for sale."
"Oh, seems to be a tattoo shop ? I was actually waiting for you so we can go check it out together. " Grant said. "No, we're not late on the comic's panels, don't get all stressed out, Gee. " They added, reassuring smile on the face.
"How did you-" I mumbled.
"I just know. " The taller grabbed my arm and dragged me to the main room. "Come on !" They insisted.
I rolled my eyes and followed them outside. However, in front of our own door, someone was waiting already.
He had dark brown hair cut just over the ear and falling in front of his eyes a little, was wearing a planet of the apes tee shirt and dark jeans, and fingerless gloves with a strap on his right arm. He had tattoos all over his visible skin, and I could only imagine what was hiding under the clothes. The cute guy was leaned almost nonchalantly on the wall on our right, a half finished cigarette between the lips. I could read in his eyes a little anticipation that told me this 'cool attitude' was mostly an act, probably more for himself than us.
I felt he was looking at me and I stared back, holding his sight in a stupid pride of 'i was here first'.
"Hey, I'm Frank ! I'm opening today right next to you, it's nice to meet you !" He said joyous, shaking both our hands fermely. I was still in my contemplation, damn, the dude was hot !
"You're the owner ?" He added, looking up at Grant.
The latter put their hands on my shoulders and answered "he is." With a smile.
Panicked, I moved my eyes between my friend and Frank quickly before saying stupidly "I am ! I'm Gerard, that's Grant, great to meet you... Frank."
Grant's smile widened, like they were amused, and I just stood there awkwardly, regretting my stutter.
"You seem cool. Hope we can be friends, maybe... Sorry am I keeping you too long ?" He finished, a little apologetic.
"No, it's okay, we're not busy-"
"Yes !" I cut my friend, a tiny bit too loud. "We... Actually got things to do. But maybe we'll see each other again at the end of the day ?" I caught up, hoping the cute brunette would buy into my bullshit.
"I'd love that, Gerard."
Grant had gone quiet and it was making me only more awkward. Why was I this weird today ? Normally I would come back with sarcastic comments and laugh too loud but not care about it, but this guy had just so... So many tattoos.
"Well, may the force be with you !" I mumbled before almost running back inside, I could hear Grant's chuckle right behind me and I just knew what was coming.
"Someone has a crush !" They said in a cheesy voice, emphasizing the last word.
"I do NOT." I answered rolling my eyes, walking in the back room to make myself coffee.
"It's love at first sight !" They continued, teasing.
"It's 'hard at first sight' for sure." I said, remembering the way the muscles in his arms moved as he brought the cigarette to his pretty pink mouth. What a sight.
I heard Grant comically gasp behind me.
"Gerard ! Whatever, the guy totally has it for you anyway. Can't wait for the wedding ! You'll look great together-"
"Please. Total stranger you're talking about, by the way. I can't believe I acted like an awkward teenage girl." I said in exasperation. The coffee machine's noise stopping caught my attention and I picked up my cup, slowly blowing on the dark liquid to cool it.
"You couldn't see it, but I could feel the sexual tension without even trying, babe." Grant continued, sitting in front of their desk to work instead of speculate about my love life, for once.
I joined them, taking a sit in my comfortable chair, moving a cushion or two and grabbed my headphones. I put them on and Cherub Rock started to play on my mp3. I lifted my head to see the older talking in front of me, and I smiled, starting to draw. I call these headphones my 'shut the fuck-ups' for a reason.
We worked until the sun was going down, the sky beautiful fiery shades, I observed, a cigarette between the lips. My mp3 was charging inside, so all that accompanied me at the moment were the city noises and the cold breeze I felt touching my leather jacket.
"Hey, Gerard ?" I heard behind me as I tossed my finished cigarette away.
"Hey." I turned around. The cute tattooed guy was standing there, hair messy from a probably big day, his eyeliner a bit smudged.
"End of the day ? Your coworker still here ?" He asked.
"They left home some time ago, I smiled. I'm leaving myself soon. How was your first day ? Busy it seems." I smiled, oddly relaxed.
"So busy ! I'm happy about it, thought, when I'm tired I know I worked hard enough. Does it mean you're free now ? Wanna, I don't know, grab a drink ? To get to know each other, you know." His tone changed slightly, questioning.
"Didn't you just say you were tired ?" I teased.
"Not so tired, anymore. But I know what would make me feel even better..." He caught on, playful.
"Alright, let's get a drink, Frankie." I said lightly, putting my arm around his shoulders.
"Frankie ?"
"What ? We've known each other for what ? 10 hours ? We're basically an old married couple at this point." I smiled.
He acquiesced as we made our way towards the bar I knew was good. The place was cozy and I knew the waiters to always be nice. We kept talking about nothing and everything all evening, a drink or two in hand, I was a little tipsy, just enough to be comfortable. We talked music, and movies, and art, and I also learned he was from Jersey, like me, so we talked about our home state for a long while.
When we finally left, the sky was black but the city was lighter than ever. Smiles on our faces, we were still talking, focused in our conversation. I don't think I've often met people I was so easily comfortable with, I don't think I've ever felt so understood by someone so fast.
An awkward silence set in, we were just looking at each other, I was trying to take in as much of his features as I could, and I hoped he was watching me for the same reason.
"So... We should do this again soon." Frank said, almost asking.
"We should ! Maybe with Grant, next time."
"And, I was thinking, maybe... We could get dinner together, or go to the movie. You know, as a date ?" I could see his cheeks blushing lightly and I was failing to hide my own smile getting wider.
"Sure, Frankie. You know you also said you wanted to show me your awesome movie collection, don't forget your promise !" I teased.
"Alright ! It's a date then. You. Me. Coffee, and a film at my place. You free next week ?" We were moving to his car, slowing down as we got closer.
"Can't next week, we have to have finished the current issue by then. It's gonna be tough. I'm all yours the week after though..."
"Saturday night then ?" He insisted. I bit my lower lip, tempted.
"Fine ! I'll tell you if I can't come because the stress killed me." I joked. He laughed a little too hard to the unfunny comment, and I knew I would go to this 'date' even if I was dead.
"See you tomorrow, Gee !" He smiled, not trying to hide his excitement.
As he opened his car door, I called his name, getting dangerously closer, dangerously because my heart thumped in my chest so hard that I could hear it.
He looked up at me as I posed my lips lightly on his right cheek, a bit too close to his mouth for my own good. I felt him leaning in and I backed out a little with a teethy smile.
"Bye Frank !" I chuckled, turning around to leave for my own apartment, a few blocks away. I was grinning like I just got an amazing blow job, and at this moment I sort of liked feeling like a teenage girl with, maybe, a tiny, little crush.
On my way home, I thought back to that night and put my hands dozens of times on my lips, the feeling of his soft skin on them lingering. He was so sweet, and hot, and smart, and nerdy, and honestly perfect to me.
Seriously, the guy was the coolest loser in the world, and I liked him so much for that."
I sigh. "That's how we met."