“Hello again,” the black-haired man greets warmly, his smile bright as he and his bandmates approach. You stand just off to the side of the red carpet, microphone in hand, with a camera trained on you.

He extends his hand, his gaze steady as you move down the line, shaking hands and exchanging greetings with the band before beginning the interview. Folding his arms across his chest, Gerard’s eyes flicker over you—a subtle yet telling gesture caught by the camera.

“You recently dropped Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge!” you begin, directing your question to the group. Glancing briefly at Gerard, you add, “Are there any favorite tracks or memorable moments from working on the album you’d like to share?”

This isn’t your first interview with the band, and the rumors surrounding your dynamic with Gerard have already begun to swirl—largely thanks to his lingering stares. The other bandmates seem aware of it too, occasionally nudging him as his gaze remains fixed on you.

As Gerard steps closer to the microphone—and to you—his hand lightly grazes your lower back. His answer is concise, but his focus on your eyes is unwavering. The rest of the band chimes in, sharing their thoughts, while Gerard’s subtle touch lingers, unacknowledged yet ever-present.

“Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me,” you say, smiling as the interview wraps up. “I hope you enjoy the event tonight.” The band offers their farewells, and as the camera clicks off, they drift toward the crowd to greet fans.

But Gerard doesn’t follow. Instead, he lingers, his attention fully on you. “Are you going in?” he asks casually, nodding toward the entrance. When you confirm with a nod, his smile widens, and he glances at your cameraman, now packing up for the night.

“Why don’t you join us at our table?” he suggests, his hand still resting on your back. “Mikey couldn’t make it, so we’ve got an extra seat.” Tilting his head slightly, he bites his lip, waiting for your response.