The car journey was a lot less awkward than I'd imagined it might be. For starters, Lynz rode in the back and mainly just talked to Gerard about music, whilst I realised how nice it was to be so open in front of her. 

"Hey, is it okay if you guys drop me at Bert's?" she asked tentatively "it's not that far from here and I haven't seen him in a few days. He gets pretty lonely, you know?"

"Of course" Gerard nodded "just gimme directions when we're nearby." I gave an eye roll, which she caught in the wing mirror. 

"Oh come on Frank, he's lonely" she sighed. 

"Just be careful" I sighed, not wanting to get into it all over again. Lynz could be even more stubborn than me sometimes. Luckily, Gerard was quick to change the subject, noticing the shift in mood. 

"So how long have you been tagging Lynz?" he smartly puled the conversation back to graffiti, and immediately Lynz seemed to forget about my remark. 

"Oh well, not long really. Only since I met Frank, but i've always liked art and thought graffiti was cool, but Frank showed me the ropes." 

"You're a natural at it" I nodded, and Gerard smiled over at me. 

"Thanks Frank" She grinned, leaning forward "it's just a left turn up here" she pointed out, and Gerard turned onto the estate, giving me immediate flashbacks of when i'd wandered up the same road when I first met Bert. 

"Which one?" 

"Just another left here" he turned the corner "anywhere along here is great." 

He pulled up on the side of the road, and she grabbed her bag and fixed her hair for a second before smiling somewhat-awkwardly at us both. 

"Um, thanks for the lift, er, father?" she hesitated on the name, clearly unsure. 

"Call me Gerard" he grinned "it was nice to meet you Lynz. I've heard a lot about you." 

"Good" she turned to me "and er, i'm happy you're happy Frank. Just tell me sooner next time yeah?" 

"There won't be a next time, but thank you" I chuckled. 

"I certainly hope not" Gerard winked at me. 

"Well, I'll see you lovebirds later." 

Gerard's car didn't have doors in the back, so I jumped out and pulled the seat back to let her out. As she clambered out, I leaned against the frame and debated having a cigarette. Well, until I heard the familiar voice behind me. 

"Frankie" He all but cooed, sauntering over to us "and Lynz too, man this is my lucky day" Bert seemed almost cat-like in the way he walked, cigarette hanging out the side of his mouth. I was pretty sure he was in the same clothes as when I saw him last, although perhaps his hair was a little less greasy. Only a little though. 

"Hi Bert" I said stiffy, whilst Lynz just grinned over at him. 

"Aww Frankie, don't be such a bore" he winked "What are you doing here anyway? More deliveries?" 

"No, just dropping Linds off." 

"Y'know, I heard Ian's run out of stuff for you to deliver anyway" he spoke in a hushed tone "is it true? Did someone make off with a load of his stuff? I heard he's on the warpath you know." 

"Something like that" I shrugged, not really wanting to go into it and especially not when Lynz was stood right there and would know I was talking about Dewees if I let any more slip. 

"Fine, be all tight-lipped about it" he pouted "I'm sure I'll find out all the details when Ian starts bragging about how he fixed it, or rather, once he's found whoever's fucked up." His light tone unnerved me, obviously just seeing it as a piece of gossip instead of someone's life at steak. 

"I guess" I kept the anger out of my voice, or at least tried to. 

"Hopefully he finds him soon though, I wouldn't want to have to start buying off someone else. I doubt other gangs use pretty seventeen year old boys to drop their stuff off." He winked, and Lynz rolled her eyes and stole the cigarette out of his mouth. 

"Stop winding him up Bert". 

"Frank" Gerard's voice from behind me made me jump and turn around. I hadn't even heard him get out the car, but he was stood beside it, collar discarded in the car, giving Bert a very cold, hard look "we should go." 

"Ooh, who's this? Is this your guy Frankie?" Bert clearly didn't really get the memo from Gerard's expression. I glanced at Gerard, not really sure if admitting it would be the best thing, even if it was only to Bert, but that's when Gerard surprised me. 

"Yeah, I am." 

"Oh" Bert was monetarily surprised too "well, I can see why you're sticking around" at this point I started to wonder if there was anyone Bert McCracken wasn't afraid to hit on. 

"We really should go" was all I said in response. 

"Yeah, come on Bert" Lynz tugged at his arm "I think you need to sober up a bit." 

"I haven't been drinking-" 

"Let's just go" she pulled him towards his apartment block, shooting me an apologetic look as they left. 

I ducked back in the car, Gerard following. His collar was off and I could still see the anger in his eyes, and as much as I knew I shouldn't find it hot, I so so did. 

"Sorry about that" I grimaced, but he just leaned across the car and kissed me hard, hands either side of my face. 

"I hate that guy" he shuddered "the way he spoke to you, the thought of you going round there alone-" 

"Hey" I pressed a finger to his lips "it's okay, he's all talk really. Lynz said he's actually pretty harmless, he just flirts a lot because he's lonely." 

"He still doesn't get to flirt with you" he glared over at the door to his apartment. 

"What you gunna do? Banish him to hell?" 

"I'm a priest, not a god" he rolled his eyes, but it did the trick of lifting the mood a little. "I'm serious though Frankie, I hate the thought of anyone flirting with you. Especially people like that. I hope Ian stays run out of drugs for the foreseeable future, and if he doesn't I want to come with you when you deliver the stuff." 

"We both know that's an incredibly stupid idea" I chuckled "I'm used to running around doing illegal crap, you're a priest Gee. Someone sees me round places like this and they don't think twice, but if they saw you they'd definitely wonder what you were up to." 

"I hate it though." 

"I know, me too. But it's how it has to be" his hands were still cradling my face, and as much as I loved it I knew it probably wasn't the best place for us to be kissing. "Now, can we go home?" 

"Of course" He pulled back and started the car, and I glanced once more at Bert's, hoping and praying that Lynz was right about trusting him. 

***

The moment we were inside his house he had me pinned to the wall, which to be honest was becoming a regular occurrence. 

"Gee-" I chuckled against his lips, pushing his jacket off his shoulders "You not gunna even offer me a coffee?" I teased, and he just started kissing my neck. 

"You're mine" he said, working his way along my collar bone "I want everyone to know. I want them to know they can't flirt with you, because you're taken." His kisses became longer and deep as he worked his way up my neck, making me gasp. 

"Fuck" I couldn't help but moan, knowing I was going to be covered in marks when he was done and not caring at all. I loved how jealous he was, it was seriously hot. I'd never had anyone really give a damn before, so for someone to be that upset by one flirtatious comment was a whole new experience for me, and I was probably enjoying it a little bit too much. "I'm yours, baby. Always will be." 

"Good" he moved up to meet my lips again, hands running underneath my t-shirt and up my chest. His touch was hot and cold at the same time, and I could already feel myself getting hard. 

"I want you" I gasped, and I could feel him smirk against my lips. 

"I want you too" he dragged his fingers teasingly down my stomach, disappearing just beneath my belt. I could feel the rush of hormones shoot through me, making my legs shake a little underneath me at how close he was, and yet so not close enough. 

"Baby please" I gasped, trying to fumble with my belt buckle. His hands met mine and finished the job, yet hesitated before he touched me.

"We should go upstairs" he glanced around the hallway we were still in. I just groaned and grabbed him by the hand, all but running towards the stairs in my hormone-filled desperation. 

By the time we got to his room I think both our eyes were dark with wanting each other so much. It had probably only been a few days, but I guess that's a lot when you're desperately in love. I pushed him onto the bed, letting myself fall on top of him in a heap. He was kissing me again, both of us trying to frantically kick off our jeans. 

We rolled so he was on top of me, and I took the opportunity to start on his shirt. 

"Why can't you just wear a fucking t-shirt to work" I glared as each button seemed to take an eternity. 

"It's funner watching you get all frustrated" he grinned, leaning back and being of no help whatsoever. I eventually managed to get it off, and he pulled me up so I was sat up, his knees either side of me. "It's funner when you're naked though" he added, and grabbed the ends of my t-shirt, dragging it over my head. 

Finally, I could feel his skin on mine properly, no barriers between us, and it was like ecstasy. 

"I wanna top baby" I gasped when he shifted in my lap, rubbing against me. We'd taken to switching it up between us pretty regularly now, and although I loved to be dominated by him there were some days when all I wanted was to pin him down and feel every part of him possible. 

He climbed off me and leaned over to the bedside drawer, ignoring my protest moan as he did so and instead returning with the lube.

"Be quick baby" he winked "I can't stand waiting much longer." I gulped, and then gasped when he covered his hand in the stuff and begin to cover me in it, hands moving slowly and teasingly around me in the way that he knew drove me insane. 

"Gee" my voice came out as a groan, eyes rolling back as I felt waves of pleasure crash over me, his slick hands moving faster and faster until I felt painfully stiff "I need you." 

He must've prepped himself a bit when he was jacking me off, because without much warning I felt him hovering over my lap again, sliding down onto me and shuffling a bit, adjusting himself. 

It was almost unbearable, waiting for him to get comfortable, but it was never something i'd rush, too scared to hurt him. After a few moment he began to roll his hips against mine, and that's when I lost it. 

With a string of curses I grabbed him by the hips and thrust up into him, hearing him cry out and grab at handfuls of my hair. His thighs were either side of mine, whilst his head leaned over mine, letting me look right into his eyes. His pupils were dilated and his mouth slightly agape as he moaned, oh god did he have the hottest moan i'd ever heard. 

I tried to pace myself for a while and keep a steady rhythm, tried to hold back and last as long as I could. I could tell he was close though but the way his hands moved down and grabbed me by the shoulders, nails digging into my skin in a way that I knew would leave marks but also felt so fucking good. 

"Oh fuck" he gasped "I'm gunna-" I barley had time to wrap my hand around him before he was coming. The sight of him orgasm was enough to push me over the edge too, and within a minute I felt myself give into it, gasping and groaning. 

"Me too baby." 

We both clung to each other, gathering out breath. Our skin was slightly sweaty and he gradually climbed off me, careful as not to hurt me as he pulled away. As soon as he was free he fell down onto the bed next to me, and for a moment I just watched the rise and fall of his chest, both of us utterly exhausted. 

"love you" I mumbled lazily, and he squeezed my hand. 

"Always, baby."

**

Me and Gerard were lying in bed together, probably about an hour later. My head was resting on his shoulder, his arm snaked around me whilst the other traced lines across my hip, almost as if he was drawing my outline. The rise and fall of his chest was slowly lulling me towards sleep, but I fought the urge to nod off because I didn't want to miss a second of the little time we had together before I had to go back to reality. 

"You're so beautiful" he sighed "even if you do drive me crazy with worry." 

"You're the beautiful one" I grinned up at him, shifting my head so I could meet his gaze "it should be illegal for priests to be this attractive."

"Somehow I think that would just make you like me even more" he chuckled "you seem to be attracted to trouble." 

"If I wasn't, we wouldn't be here right now and you'd still be trying to pretend not to be gay" I reached up and played with the ends of his hair, which was definitely getting longer. It was just past his ears now, and hung in a messy, choppy fashion that drove me crazy. 

"True" he chuckled "you have no idea how much I tried to fight my feelings when I first met you. It was so hard, every time I saw you I just wanted to... well.."

"Jump my bones right there on the church floor?" 

"Something like that" he giggled, tilting my chin up so he could kiss me lightly, his lips brushing mine teasingly. I felt a little shoot of adrenaline rush through me. "You have no idea how irresistible you are." He gazed down at me before a little laugh slipped past his lips. 

"What's funny?" I frowned. 

"Oh, nothing. Well, it's just er, your neck" he blushed a little "it's er, pretty covered in hickeys." 

"Is it even worth trying to cover them up for college tomorrow?"

"I mean, we could try some of my makeup" he bit his lip "but er, I don't think it'll do much good." 

"Good" I kissed him "I want everyone to know i'm taken anyway. Well, maybe not Jimmy. Jimmy is definitely going to bombard me with questions. And Chantal. Fuck." 

"At least Kellin and Lynz know now" he shrugged "I'm sure they'll help you out at changing the subject. Or better yet, why not just admit you're seeing someone? I mean, it's only a month and a bit till your birthday and then we'll be legal anyway." 

"Are you sure? It's a bit risky after all." 

"Yeah, just tell them they can't meet me just yet" he shifted so we were sitting a bit more upright, propped up by the pillows behind us "as long as you promise me to keep out of trouble until then, yeah?" 

"Define trouble..." 

"No tagging, no messing with Ian unless absolutely necessary, no letting Dewees out the house until we get him a place at rehab, no winding up your best friends evil stepmothers. Just be as boring as possible for the next month." 

"No tagging?" I pouted "what about just a little bit of tagging..." 

"Well, I can't tell you to stop completely, but maybe be sensible about it. No more church garden walls" he rolled his eyes "because i'm definitely not looking forward to Brian finding that." 

"I am" I chuckled "he's so going to know it was me and yet he's gunna have no way to prove it. It'll drive him insane."

"Yeah well you don't have to work with him." 

"True. But at least he likes you." 

"Somehow I think that'll change once he knows about this" he cupped my face and ran his thumb along my cheekbone. 

"Do you think he'll fire you?" I watched his reaction closely. He considered it for a moment, eyes locked on the window as he spoke. 

"Maybe. Maybe not. I'm not too sure. The rules are kind of unclear, and although you're legal it'll still be frowned upon heavily. Especially the age gap and, well, you know..." 

"The gay bit?" 

"Yeah, unfortunately." He frowned "I just don't really know about the whole thing anymore Frankie. It just doesn't seem right for me sometimes, you know? I wanted to help people, but not to sacrifice being happy in the process."

"Maybe you should leave." Maybe I was being selfish, but the idea of having him all to myself was so tempting. I wouldn't care where we went or what we did, only that we got away from these problems and started afresh. 

"I'm thinking about it" his voice was small, timid even. "All I know is that you make me happier than i've ever been. And if the church won't accept us, then I'm not interested anymore. God isn't about discriminating against people based on who they love, he's about loving everyone. If they can't see that, then they're not the people I thought they were." 

"Amen" I smiled, and he giggled at that, forgetting his skeptical mood and instead pulling me ever-closer, distracting himself by pressing more kisses to my skin.