New Years Resolution

New Year's resolution.

Move on.

Quit smoking.

Drink less coffee.

Buy a hamster for the cage I got for Christmas three years ago.

Tell him how I feel.


~


Thirty-three old Gerard way stood on the porch of his best friend's house, knee deep in snow. The icy December wind nipped at his cheeks and nose, turning them the same shade as his fire truck red hair. In the distance, he could faintly see the screen, set up in the centre of town, displaying the time; 11:46pm.

Clutching the piece of paper that read his new years resolution on, he rapped on the door with his frozen hand, wincing at the sharp pain which shot through it. Shuffling could be heard from the other side of the door along side muffled curses. Soon enough, the door was pulled open, revealing a pyjama clad, short, tattooed man. His shoulder-length black hair was stuck up at odd angles and day-old eyeliner was smeared down his cheeks.

"Gee?" he asked voice hoarse with sleep. The younger male rubbed his tired eyes before blinking back into focus, "what are you doing here?"

"It doesn't matter right now. Can I come in? Um, it's kind of cold out here..." he pleaded, breathing on his hands in an attempt to thaw them out and save his fingers.

Frank look confused before a moment before his eyes widened and he shivered slightly.

"OH! Of course! Come in, come in!" he exclaimed, ushering the redhead inside. He helped Gerard peel his mountain of jackets and scarves off and hung them up in the closet.

"Um, if you don't mind me asking… why are you here? Aren't you normally with Mikey and Alicia?" Frank asked as he led the older further into his house. He didn't give Gerard a chance to reply as he offered Gerard a coffee and began to ramble about the dangers of being out so late during winter in New Jersey.

Frank sank down on the sofa beside Gerard as they filled each other in on their Christmases, occasionally sipping their lukewarm coffees. The burning fire emitted a soft glow across the otherwise unlit room, casting shadows across the pair's faces and reflecting in their eyes.

"So, um, you never did tell me why you were here?" Frank persuades, raising an eyebrow over the top of his mug.

As Gerard opened his mouth to speak, he hears the faint chanting from the town centre, through Frank's partially open window. He rose from the sofa and pulled Frank up also. Ignoring the younger's questioning gaze, he pulled him down the hallway and stood in the open doorway.

"Ten…"

"Well… I've… I've been putting this off for years…

"Eight…"

"So, um, it's going to be my new year's resolution…"

"Six…"

"I'm sorry if it freaks you out though…"

"Four"

"I really hope it doesn't, I mean, It would suck to ruin this friendship, y'know?"

"Two…"

"I fucking love you Frank, always hav-" Frank cut Gerard off by tenderly placing his lips upon the others, holding himself up on his shoulders. Fireworks let off over head, signalling the coming of the New Year. Pulling away, the couple sent each other sheepish smiles, blushes creeping across their faces. Gerard didn't need Frank to say it out loud; he knows he feels the same. The taller man wrapped his arms around the shorter's waist, pulling him close to his side as they watch the colourful display overhead.