at the fringes of the party

Gerald Thorn

Francisco Gonsalves

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this is a ship fic!

The party went the same as they always do. Cheers from the townsfolk, excited chatter, the common exchange of food and drink. The party's host, a lithe fellow clad in garish colors and a full-face mask, sat at the foot of the gallows, strumming their lute as their cohort sang a tune.

He couldn't deny the music was appealing; though, the crowds of people deeply overwhelmed his senses. He kept to the thinner parts of the herd, sitting on a low stone side wall near one of the houses to enjoy the music and merriment.

Someone eventually came to his side, offering food. He took it, but didn't lower his mask til the other fellow sat, twisting his head and allowing his neck to pop. His hat obscured most of his hair, but still revealed streaks of grey peppered into the deep brown color it used to be.

"What a party, isn't it?" He asked cheerfully, wrapping an arm around him as he tried to take a bite. "Oh, right, sorry."

"Haha. Quite all right." he took a bite, smiling as he savored the taste. "Delicious. Did Jacqueline make this?"

"I think so." He put a hand on his chin, stroking his beard. "It looked good, but... I saw you out here. Thought you'd like it."

"I... I do." His cheeks grew warm as he took another bite. "Thanks, Francisco."

"Not a problem! Anything for my sunflower." He smiled, leaning against him. "It's nice seeing everyone enjoy themselves."

"It is; though I wish they could be a touch more quiet." He chuckled, shaking his head. "Nights like this are always such a strain on me; I've asked to see if anyone will tell the hosts to stop inviting me, yet..."

"I think they like havin' you here like the rest of us do, Gerald." Francisco said warmly, his hand resting on the stones. "I know I like seeing you more often, at least."

"You seek me out all the time anyway," Gerald replied with a soft laugh, pulling his mask back up over his nose and mouth. "Every day, 'oh, may I see Gerald?' You're so demanding." He snickered softly.

"Now, now, I'm not that demanding." Francisco laughed, fingers wrapping around Gerald's hand. Gerald blushed brighter, looking away. "Does simply holding your hand brighten your day that much?" He teased.

"N-No." Gerald replied, refusing to turn his head. "Nothing like that."

"How come you won't look at me, then?" Francisco leaned closer, resting his chin on Gerald's shoulder.

"Oh, just... y'know, animals... the forest..."

"Sure. You stare at Miller's bakery and think it's the forest all you like, my dear." He chuckled softly. "Let me look at you."

Francisco's fingers gently gripped Gerald's chin, turning his head so the two looked each other in the eyes. Gerald's cheeks were a bright pink, and he tried to not stare as Francisco smiled sweetly.

"Ah, there you are. As beautiful as the moonlight." He said softly, tilting his head lovingly. "It's hard not to steal a kiss with the bustle of the party."

"Francisco, if someone sees, they're going to be all over us..." Gerald mumbled, avoiding Francisco's gaze. He chuckled in reply, leaning in closer and softly pecking Gerald's nose.

"Don't worry about it." He chuckled softly. "I'll scare 'em off."

"You say that."

Francisco placed a finger over his lips, fingertip hooking on the top of Gerald's mask. "May I?"

Gerald paused, looking up at Francisco. His brown eyes glittered mischievously in the moonlight, face curled into an infuriatingly handsome coy little smirk as his hand shifted, other hand tightening around Gerald's fingers. Gerald's face was warm, sea-green eyes darting to look everywhere but Francisco's gaze.

"Gerald..."

"Wh-what?" He jumped a little, looking at Francisco's hand on his face. "Oh... yeah."

Francisco gingerly lowered the mask, allowing it to rest around his neck as he moved himself perilously close to Gerald, their arms wrapping around each other.

"Easy now..." Gerald said, arms under Francisco's cape as he was pulled close enough to be mere millimeters from his face.

"Don't worry about it." Francisco whispered, time standing still as the two finally embraced, lips colliding as he tightened his grip on the back of Gerald's robe. He pulled away, leaving Gerald's face as bright as his mask. "See? Completely fine."

Gerald stammered incomprehensibly, fidgeting with his hands as he looked towards the partygoers. Francisco laughed, looking at him with a soft smile, his eyes crinkled just enough at the corners to highlight how wide and full of love his smile was, eyebrows upturned and cheeks as pink as roses.

"Look at you, you're so..." He stroked Gerald's cheek with the back of his hand, flicking away a stray lock of hair as he maneuvered his hand to the edge of the cloak's hood. "May I?"

Gerald could only nod, and Francisco gently lowered his hood. Silver-white strands spilled out, gathered in a loose ponytail at the base of his head. "It-it's too cold out." Gerald stammered, lowering his head into his shoulders as Francisco gently grabbed his chin again.

"Nonsense; your face could ignite wood right now." He joked, leaning in again. Gerald leaned back, and Francisco planted a firm kiss on Gerald's collarbone, causing Gerald to jump upwards in surprise.

"F-Francisco!!!" He protested, levitating upwards as Francisco's chin bonked against the wall. "Really?!"

"Y-You moved too quick." Francisco laughed, rubbing his chin as he sat up. Gerald sat down on the wall again, pulling Francisco close to him with a soft smile.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. Little sore, but nothing I can't sleep off." Francisco chuckled. "The pain's not so bad when I get to look at you, anyway."

"Shush." Gerald mumbled, tugging on the collar of his robe as Fransisco gently grabbed his other arm. "a-again?"

"Why not? We've got the time." He leaned in again, this time Gerald meeting him halfway as the two embraced again, softly exchanging pecks.

When they pulled away from each other, Gerald's back was to the stones, Francisco's hat was on the ground, and the two were staring at each other with deep breaths and wide eyes.

"C-Carry on." Francisco mumbled, looking at Gerald with his mouth slightly agape.

"We've got the time." Gerald echoed, fingers tracing down Francisco's cheek. Francisco's breath hitched slightly, and his cheeks grew as pink as Gerald's were. "You said as much yourself."

"I did say that, didn't I..." he mused, leaning down to kiss him again. "All the time in the world... and I get to spend it with you."

"Lucky you." Gerald whispered softly.

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