Hospital au part five
TITLE: I never told you what I do for a living.
CHAPTER: part five
PAIRING: Frank/Gerard
RATING:Individually rated. NC-17 for swears and boy touching
SUMMARY: Frank Iero, male nurse at Pete Wentz's private hospital and possibly more to one new patient he can't keep his eyes off of.
DISCLAIMER: Not real, never happened.
WARNING: Standard implied rape warning.
A/N: Beta'd by behindskylines
part one
part two
part three
part four
When Frank awoke the next morning, it was with Gerard's legs tangled up with his own, lips pressed against his collar bone, and Gerard's fingers twisted in his t-shirt. He could see from the clock across the room that it was still early, and he was glad that, unlike the last time, he was first awake. Gerard made a startled sound in the back of his throat as Frank shifted out from his grasp but didn't wake up. He pulled the covers up, tucking him in and smiling to himself as he kissed Gerard's forehead lightly. "Back for you soon," he whispered, wondering if the words would worm their way into whatever dream he was having.
Skipping his way downstairs, Frank set about what he'd quickly decided on doing, trying not to make too much mess or noise. His head was banging, but there were things he wanted to do, so he tried to get on with them as best as he could. When he was done, he headed back up, happy to see Gerard wasn't yet awake. "Hey," he touched Gerard's arm gently, "wake up, babe." Gerard grunted something Frank couldn't understand, so Frank pulled the covers off of him, stroking his cheek and holding his wrist a bit firmer. "Gerard, wake up."
"Hmmm? S'it morning?" he mumbled, voice heavy with sleep as he cleared his throat. "Time is it?" he asked, attempting to wriggle down to where the covers lay over his thighs.
"Time to get up, sleepy head. C'mon, let me help you." Frank reached for Gerard's wrists, and Gerard gave them up easily but didn't help with the getting up, just let himself be pulled by Frank until he was sitting--half slumped--on Frank at the edge of the bed.
"Too early. Sleep with me s'more. Don't wanna get up yet."
Frank let him sit there for a minute, stroking a hand through his hair until he felt Gerard's head start to slide from his shoulder to his chest. "Hey, no going back to sleep," he laughed, poking at Gerard's shoulder. "C'mon, up," he said, standing and bringing Gerard with him.
"Did you at least bring me coffee? Or a cigarette?"
Frank put an arm around Gerard's shoulders, leading him out onto the landing. "You're kinda whiney in the morning, huh?"
"I'm not a morning person. Food?" Gerard asked, frowning when they reached the bathroom. "If you're bringing me for a piss or something, I promise you I'm already potty-trained."
Frank shook his head, putting the seat of the toilet down and sitting Gerard on it. "No, just hang on." He leant into the shower and turned it on.
"You showered last night. Both did. What're you doing?" Gerard rubbed his eyes, waking up a bit and pulling at the tangles in his hair.
"I don't want you to smell gross when you get to work."
Gerard watched as Frank started taking off his clothes. "I don't smell," he said, lifting his arms and sniffing just to be sure. "I don't."
"Not right now, no," Frank said knowingly, tugging at Gerard's hand as a signal for him to stand, and undressing him when he did so. "But you might have, if we weren't in the shower for this." He tested the water with one hand, and satisfied it was okay, gestured for Gerard to enter. After getting in with him, Frank ran his hands down Gerard's chest, holding him at his waist as he moved closer.
Gerard asked, "What are you doing?" while spitting water at Frank playfully and resting his elbows on Frank's shoulders, playing with the ends of his hair.
Frank shook his head, trailing one finger down Gerard's hip and stroking his cock slowly, letting him harden slowly in his palm. "You'll see. Just tell me when."
Gerard bit his lip, nodding, and let his head fall back against the tiles as Frank settled onto his knees. Frank started slow, rubbing one hand up and down Gerard's thigh as he licked at the tip of his cock, fisting the length. He could soon see the precome building up, wanting so badly to just lick it away. He washed it away instead, taking Gerard in his mouth and sucking while wrapping his fingers around his own length to bring himself off at the same time. He could hear Gerard's soft noises, mostly lost in the noisy spray of water, but his actions were loud and clear. Hands fisting in Frank's hair, and his hips pushing himself further into Frank's mouth. Frank took him eagerly, weaving a hand through Gerard's thighs to press at his ass, help pull him in. He hoped Gerard was close, he didn't know how much longer he could hold out.
Suddenly, Gerard pulled himself away from the suction of Frank's mouth. "Close. Really close," he panted, wrapping his own hand around himself to finish off as Frank stood.
"Fuck," Frank mouthed at seeing Gerard touching himself like that, eyes locked on Frank's. "Fuck, I really wanna watch you do that...but not this time," he pushed their bodies together, grinding and touching, hitching a knee up slightly to get closer, and Gerard responded, pressing himself against the wall so Frank could go at it harder, easier with something to lean on. Frank moaned as Gerard's hands roamed his back and sides, as his tongue swiped over the wet surface of his cheek. He could feel their erections sliding alongside each other's, and the slight slippery friction was enough.
They came almost together, cum smearing across their stomachs as Frank wiped his hand though it with a smirk. Seconds later, it was all washed away, and Gerard smiled lazily. "Good way to wake up."
They finished up, washing each other quickly between kisses and drying off equally as fast before getting dressed.
"I kinda made pancakes before I woke you up," Frank said as they made their way downstairs. "They'll be cold now, but-"
Gerard said, "I can deal with that," climbing onto Frank's back as he reached the bottom, and wrapping his arms around Frank's neck, laying their wet heads together.
Frank shivered, "Water's dripping down my neck," as he lowered Gerard onto a chair. He wiped his sleeve over the droplets, bringing the plate of pancakes to Gerard and taking one off of the top to munch on as he started up the coffee machine.
"These are awesome, you've a talent. Pancake talent." Gerard was obviously hungry, Frank could tell by the way he'd eaten three by the time the coffee was ready. "Thanks. I should stay here more often if this is anything to go by," he said with a gentle laugh as he took his coffee mug, sipping it slowly. "And you make better coffee than Mikey." Frank smiled, sitting right up next to Gerard and pulling his cigarettes from his pocket. He lit one for himself and put it to Gerard's lips.
"I like having you around," he shrugged, reclaiming his cigarette. "And I want you to come back. A lot." He kissed Gerard's neck, nuzzling his nose at the shell of his ear, just the way he'd realized made Gerard practically purr.
"Mmm, Frankie," Gerard tried to lift his shoulder, blushing. "Tickles." He was lying though, and Frank was well aware Gerard knew he'd see through it.
"Yeah, well. Hurry up and finish off whatever you want, gotta get you to work, remember?" Frank left him there, filling a glass with water to take his medication. He wasn't feeling so bad by that time, he'd had worse headaches, and it'd certainly died down from when he'd woken up. He was still tired though, and definitely going back to sleep after Gerard got to work.
...........................
Gerard was only five minutes late, so Brian didn't get too annoyed, but did ask him to start as soon as he could. He wanted some new boards for outside, some flyers, and maybe a new design for the store sign. It was also, Frank quickly noticed, Gerard's artist workshop day. He thought about getting some kind of portable seat--a little fishing chair or something--and taking up residence outside, maybe just for the fun of it. He really was too tired though, so said goodbye to Brian and then Gerard--promising to come and meet him on his way in to work--and just about made it home to his sofa before having to just crash there. He knew his legs wouldn't make it up the stairs, so didn't even try.
...............
When Frank woke up, it was dark, and he was wrapped up all cozy in his bed. He didn't even remember making it up there. "Shit," he mumbled at he tried to focus on his watch. Gerard would've finished work hours ago, and Frank had hoped to wake up in time to meet him, or at least call him. Then he remembered he was supposed to be at work himself, and realized he'd have to call Bob as soon as he could. He rubbed his eyes, swinging his legs over the side of the bed, and stumbled towards the bathroom, not even bothering to turn the light on.
It was halfway through having a piss that he heard laughter, voices coming from downstairs. "What the fuck..." he shook off quickly, creeping down the stairs, avoiding the ones he knew were creaky. Grabbing an umbrella, his grandfather's old wooden-handled one from by the front door, he ran into the kitchen, the umbrella poised above his head.
"Get the fuck out!" he screamed, stopping at the doorway. Gerard was in there, so startled by Frank that he dropped his coffee mug on the floor.
"Christ, Frank. You okay, baby?" His mom was there too, quickly getting up from her seat at the table and feeling Frank's head as he stood speechless and still clutching the umbrella. "You don't have a fever."
"I'd be fine if you didn't go, like, letting yourself in without telling me. I thought I was getting robbed or something." His mom just frowned at him, Gerard smirking from his place on the floor as he wiped up the mess. "Hi, by the way," he said, exchanging a hug with his mom and kissing her cheek. "Gee, leave it. I'll finish cleaning it up. My fault anyway." Frank patted Gerard's shoulder, directing him back to the table to sit down, and finished getting rid of the mess, throwing away the pieces of broken porcelain. "What are you guys doing here, anyway?"
"Mikey and I dropped by after work. I was worried when you didn't show up or call, but there was no answer, and then your mom was here. You were on the sofa when she opened the door, so we got you upstairs."
"You barely even woke up," Linda started, "are you not well? I hope you don't mind, but I called the hospital for you and told them you wouldn't be in tonight."
"Shit, mom, thanks. You didn't have to. I'm just. Just really tired. Been uh, working real hard lately and I guess it's just caught up with me." Frank rubbed at his neck; he hated lying to his mom. "But anyway, how have you been? How's...things."
"We're all fine. Kaylee misses you though. She wants you to come by more often.
"Ma, I would, you know I would but--"
"I know, I know," she says understandingly, placing a hand over Frank’s. "I don't think your friend needs to be hearing about our troubles right now, okay?" Frank nodded, turning to Gerard.
"Thanks for sticking around," he smiled. "You two've been introduced then?"
"Yes, Gerard was telling me all about his art work and I must say, it sounds very impressive. You didn't tell me you had a friend who was an artist, Frank."
Gerard blushed as Frank spoke to his mom again, "Well... I don't know, you want me to tell you each time I make a friend or something? Thought we passed that when I reached the age of ten. We've got some catching up to do."
"Funny, Frank. You always were the comedian of the family. No, I don't, but it'd be nice if you told me when you met a nice guy like Gerard to be spending all your time with..." Frank looked at Gerard, and Gerard looked back, like, 'I didn't say anything'. Linda laughed. "I was right then? Knew it. I owe myself ten bucks."
"You bet yourself ten bucks Gerard and I were-"
"Boyfriends? Yes. You did good, Frank, he's a cute one."
"Mom! Stop being embarrassing!" Frank covered his face with his hands and shook his head. "Okay, so you know now. Alright? Any other details you'd like me to fill you in on?"
"No," Linda stood, putting on her jacket. "But, Gerard, honey, you might wanna stir that pasta before it sticks," she kissed Gerard's cheek and ruffled his hair with a smile. "You, Frank, don't be a stranger, okay? I don't get to see you nearly enough. Next time you come over, bring Gerard with you. I think Kaylee would like him, too."
"Yes mom," he replied dryly, following her to the door.
"He's sweet, Frankie. Treat him good. I like him."
"I intend to. Go on, go get home," he said, practically shoving her out of the door.
"I swear I didn't say a word," Gerard laughed as Frank came back in.
He wrapped his hands around Gerard's waist, linking his fingers over his stomach and kissing the side of Gerard's neck "I know. Doesn't matter, my mom's pretty cool anyway." He looked over Gerard's shoulder, "You cooking pasta then?" Gerard nodded, stirring it a couple more times before turning around in Frank's arms.
"Wanted to make you something for when you woke up. Your mom said you'd like it... probably what gave us away." Frank leant in, parting Gerard's lips with his tongue and pressing him against the counter. "It's gonna burn..." he mumbled into Frank's mouth.
Frank said, "Don't care," lifting him onto the counter and cupping his cheeks as they kissed again.
"Mmm, but I do," Gerard pulled back, a chaste kiss to the corner of Frank's mouth. "I worked hard on that pasta."
Faking annoyance, Frank moved away and let him jump down. He sat at the table as told to. "So, how'd it go today?"
"Oh!" Gerard's face lit up instantly as he searched for plates. "It was pretty good. I had two people come in to learn stuff, and one of them's coming back in a few days, I think he's really interested in what he learned today. Feels good." As he put the plates of pasta out on the table, Frank raised his eyebrows at Gerard. "What? Looks okay, doesn't it?"
"Was he cute?"
"Oh, fuck off," Gerard laughed. "I wasn't even looking. Don't even joke about it. No one’s cuter than you. Anyway, he was too bright to be cute."
"Bright, like, smart and arty?" Frank scooped up the pasta as he spoke, not quite waiting until he'd swallowed it before continuing, "This is really fucking good!"
Gerard blushed. "Thanks, your mom told me how to make the sauce though. And no, not art-smart-bright, like a rainbow vomited on him kind of bright." He started eating from his own plate, seemingly surprised it did actually taste good. "Seemed nice enough though. And Brian wants to know when you can hook him up with your tattooist, wants something on his neck, apparently."
"Mmm, okay, I'll see what I can do." Frank was only half listening, concentrating more on shoveling the food down his throat than anything else. When he was done he looked over at Gerard's plate, still half full. "Are you gonna--"
"Be my guest," Gerard laughed, pushing it over to him. "You feeling any better now? You were pretty out of it earlier."
"Less hungry. Still kinda tired though." Frank finished what was left and slumped down in his chair. "Could I be really lazy and ask you to get the meds and some water for me?"
Gerard smiled, "Sure," bringing what Frank had asked for over to the table. "Not too much longer," he said sadly when Frank had finished, laying their heads together and rubbing Frank's back.
"Yeah... I know." Secretly he was dreading Gerard's test. It was going to be emotional whichever way it went, but the waiting was the worst part.
"I'm gonna go get us a blanket, and then we're gonna curl up on the sofa for a while, okay? And then, I think your mom said you like waffles? I can make you some and, I don't know. Maybe you'd like a bath later or something? Relax a little--"
Frank grinned. He liked that Gerard was making plans and just doing stuff, rather than having to ask for permission on everything. His confidence was really growing, and Frank loved that. "What's all that for? You don't have to do any of that, I just like you being here. You don't have to do stuff."
"I know, it's just that. Well, you've been feeling really shitty, and as much as you say it's not my fault, if we hadn't met, you wouldn't be going through this." Gerard sat gently on Frank's knee, pouting at him. "Your motherfucking job is taking care of other people. Who takes care of you? I just wanna look after you a little. So let me, yeah? And um, your mom and I already did some of your laundry earlier…"
..................
After the first few days of Frank being on the medication, his energy was practically zero, and the sporadic vomiting and headaches didn't help at all. He was determined to finish the course though. He'd heard it could be tough, really knock someone for six, but he hadn't realized exactly how true that was before. Gerard came over when he could--managing to master Frank's coffee machine, and making him dinner--but he was busy at the store, doing extra hours and helping Brian out with a new store layout. He was pretty much Brian's only employee, except for Andy, but he spent more time with his head in the comics than he did actually cataloging and keeping the shelves stocked.
When actually at work, Bob let Frank deal more with the administrative side of things after getting him to talk to Pete so they could more effectively arrange emergency cover, in the form of a young man named William. He was a lot like Brendon really; kind of clumsy, but also tall and pretty gangly, and unlike Brendon, rather shy. He was a trainee Pete had agreed to take on once in a while, but he wasn't too bad at his job when it didn't require too much talking. Pete suggested he see Travis about his slight stammer, hoping it would give him some more confidence and hopefully turn him into a more efficient nurse once his training was over. Frank was more than happy to help him out if it meant he got to stay seated for most of his shifts--waste-paper basket poised between his feet, just in case.
Gerard was doing pretty well, more memories would come back to him gradually, things he hadn't realized he'd forgotten, and when they did, he'd call Frank and tell him whatever gem of a memory it was that had struck him. Even if it was something as mundane as remembering his favorite OJ brand, or that Mikey had thrown a stick into the spokes of his bike one time and sent him flying off of it. Two weeks into Frank's treatment, it'd been arranged for him to switch to day shifts so that he could get his sleeping pattern on track, he was about to leave, when Patrick found him, tapping him on the shoulder to get his attention. "Hey, how're you feeling?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, not too bad. Bundles of energy," he grinned kind of sarcastically, "woo-hoo."
"Well, you should probably head up to Travis' office," he said grimly.
"Patrick, really, I'm okay--"
"Not for you, Frank. Gerard came in as an emergency appointment. Must've looked pretty bad, Travis rescheduled two other people just to get him seen." Patrick shrugged solemnly as Frank thanked him and ran off.
He took the stairs two at a time--he'd tried three before, but when he missed one and nearly fell flat on his face he decided two was more than enough--and knocked on the door as soon as he reached it. The little red light was on above the door, signaling that the room was in use and not to be disturbed, but he knocked again anyway after getting no answer.
Travis took a moment to answer it, narrowing his eyes at Frank. "I know you're aware of what the light means, Frank."
"I know, I'm sorry. But--"
"I'll let you off this time. But only because he's finished now, okay? Don't do this again; it can be really unnerving for patients to be interrupted in the middle of something." Travis moved aside to show that Gerard was on his feet, and called to his next waiting patient, telling them he'd be with them soon.
"Travis," Gerard said as he reached the door, "thanks again for seeing me so quick... I didn't know what else to do."
"Whenever you need to, don't worry about it." He leant down considerably to whisper to him. Gerard nodded, stepping forward to Frank. His eyes were downcast, and though Frank tried to lift his chin, Gerard wouldn't look at him.
Frank wanted to say something, to ask him what was wrong or just give him a hug, but he didn't seem in the mood to be all touchy-feely, so Frank waited. He walked alongside Gerard as he loosely gripped the hem of Frank's jacket, walking them slowly outside and kicking idly at the crumbling stone path to the parking lot. Gerard lit a cigarette before he spoke a single word, offering the carton to Frank as he removed the smoke from his lips with trembling fingers. "You wanna know what Travis said?"
Gerard was talking in a tone Frank wasn't familiar with. He'd heard sad, scared, nervous, happy...but not this. It was distant and low, monotone. Half-hearted words for the sake of speaking. "If you wanna tell me," he answered, leaning against the wall next to Gerard, much like they had done soon after first meeting. Gerard looked up, placed one foot on the wall and craned his neck up awkwardly to blow his smoke into the sky.
"He said I should talk to you. That you should know." Gerard nearly laughed, pursing his lips to stifle it, before looking straight at Frank, his head still tipped towards the bricks. "He's right though. But...feeling like you should tell someone something, about yourself, that you've only just found out? It's. It's strange. I don't think I want any more memories back."
Frank tried hard to hold himself back from just grabbing Gerard and holding him tight, just to find out what was wrong. "Where'd Mikey park? We can go find somewhere warm to talk, if you want? My place, your place. Whatever--"
"Mikey's not here. I came by myself. I can't talk to him right now." Gerard shook his head sadly.
Frank reached out touched Gerard's wrist lightly with a single finger, hoping it wouldn't be too much. "By yourself?" he asked before he thought about it. Gerard wasn't a child; he could go where he wanted, whenever he wanted. He didn't need to be escorted everywhere, he'd just wanted to be. Hadn't wanted to be alone. "Do you want to tell me?"
Gerard looked at the butt of his cigarette as though he was inspecting it, before flicking it as far away as he could. "I should tell you. Travis was right."
"But do you want to?" Frank asked again.
"Honestly?" Frank nodded. He always wanted honesty; it was tattooed around his arm for heaven's sake. "No. I don't want to. Nobody wants to tell someone things like what I have to...hell, I don't even want to remember them. But I do have to."
Frank nodded like he understood, even though he really didn't, and started walking slowly to the bus shelter. Gerard followed.
Neither spoke during the entire ride. Gerard sat playing with his fingers, occasionally looking Frank's way apologetically, though Frank really didn't feel Gerard had anything to apologize for.
When they reached Frank's house, Gerard sat himself on the sofa while Frank took the last of his medication and made them both a coffee. He had a feeling Gerard could do with one. He wanted to tell Gerard he could start talking whenever he wanted to--that he was ready to listen, or that they could just do nothing, just sit in silence until Gerard figured out something else he'd rather do. He didn't though, couldn't find the words, didn't want to discourage him in any way. Thankfully, after staring at his mug for fifteen minutes straight, not sipping it once, Gerard found his own courage to speak.
"I did the lesson thing again today," he started quietly. So quietly and softly that Frank strained to hear him. Gerard cleared his throat. "I wasn't going to until next week, but that guy came in again--and damn, I can never remember his name. So I was showing him some stuff with charcoal, how it smudges, how you can blend it and create something beautiful with just one simple tool--but with hundreds of tones, and." Gerard did sip his coffee then, cringing at its lack of heat, but taking more anyway. Frank listened, trying to work out where it was going. "He was standing beside me, just looking, and...then he stood behind me, looking at it from my perspective. It wasn't. It didn't feel right, and when he..." Gerard closed his eyes tight, and Frank could see the tips of his fingers whiten where they were gripping the mug. Frank put a hand on Gerard's knee softly, and Gerard flinched, jumped at the contact. His eyes said he was sorry in an instant.
Frank didn't know what else to say but, "Sorry. Sorry, it's okay..." as he pulled his hand away quickly.
"When he spoke," Gerard cast his eyes down to his feet, pulling his knees up on the sofa as he looked up again. Directly into Frank's own eyes. "It was right next to my ear. I could feel his breath on the back of my neck and he put a hand on my shoulder. I flipped out, completely. Started screaming at him, practically knocked him the fuck over. I didn't mean to but, I couldn't help it. It just happened so quickly. Just like, like. In the alley." Gerard shivered visibly, tears welling up in his eyes. Frank didn't try to touch him that time, even though he wanted to. "Brian said he'd call Mikey to come get me, and I sat in the back room while he apologized to the poor guy... That's when it hit me. I didn't want him to call Mikey, I just wanted a drink. I told him. Told him I just needed a drink, that I was gonna go get trashed and sleep it off. I'd never. I hadn't thought about drinking, not once that I could remember, and it struck me as strange, y'know? Who's never had a drink in their life? But the more Brian was looking at me, biting his lip and telling me it was a bad idea--that I didn't wanna go down that road again, the more it came back to me. I'm an alcoholic, Frank. Recovering, apparently. But an alcoholic, none the less."
Gerard fidgeted, trying to gauge Frank's reaction. "You? Fuck! I can't imagine just, remembering something like that. You're okay though? You didn't drink, right?"
"I wanted to. So badly. I swear I wanted a drink right then more than I wanted a lot of things, maybe even you," Frank kept the hurt from showing in his expression. It must be a hard thing to deal with. "But no, I didn't. I went to see Travis instead. I told Brian I was sick, that I was gonna go home and rest. I hate keeping all this from him, he's been so good to me, he's like family... But I guess I haven't even told them the whole truth." Gerard laughed then, though Frank wasn't sure why at first. "Travis, and you, are the only people that know everything. Sounds kind of ridiculous. One guy, who's normally paid to hear about people’s problems, and my boyfriend, are the only people who know about every single bad thing that's happened to me recently, everything I've remembered. Even Mikey doesn't know everything." Gerard's tone was bitter at the mention of his brother. "He did know about my drinking though. He could've told me, warned me, but he didn't. I don't know why he kept it from me. I don't understand. I can remember...Frank, I really fucked up before. Really fucked up. What if I'd done it again? Why didn't he tell me?"
"Maybe he didn't realize it was something you'd forgotten?" Frank tried, "Maybe he thought if it came up, then he'd deal with it, and that hopefully it wouldn't be an issue? You should talk to him, really. I'm sure he was only trying to do what he thought was right--"
"Travis said that too, maybe you should take up counseling?" Gerard laughed, but it was lighter and not bitter, and he moved a little closer to Frank as he set his coffee on the floor. "You're not um, like, freaked out or anything?"
"Everyone makes mistakes. It's how you deal with them that matters." Gerard smiled, closing his eyes briefly, and Frank took the opportunity to cup Gerard's cheek in his palm. Gerard's eyes snapped open but he didn't move away, he moved closer, holding Frank's wrist and turning his head to catch the fingers of the hand he was holding with his lips.
Gerard asked, "C-can I sit with you?" quiet and nervously, and it made Frank's chest hurt, because Gerard should never feel like he has to ask.
So Frank just pulled him closer and into his lap. Gerard settled facing away from him, tipping his head back as Frank's hand came up to stroke over his neck, rubbing thumb over Gerard's throat and kissing the hair that tickled his chin. "I love you. Don't ever ask if you can sit with me-or anything- you don't have to. Just do it."
"Just don't let me drink, Frank. Please. I... I want to. I wanna forget... I'm so scared." Suddenly, Gerard turned himself around, bracing his knees either side of Frank's waist awkwardly, leant down and started kissing his neck. "Please, help me forget..." he mumbled, and Frank just let Gerard do what he wanted, what he needed to, sliding his hands comfortingly up and down his back. "I wanna forget what he did to me."
Frank whispered something like, "I know, I know. God, I wish so much this never happened to you," but he didn't think Gerard really heard him or was listening. He was rolling his hips against Frank, and reaching down to grasp him through his jeans. Frank let out a surprised moan and cocked his hips into Gerard's touch, though he didn't mean to, he didn't really think it was the best time for what Gerard was doing, felt like he was taking advantage of Gerard's weakened state. "Hey," he said softly, trying to pry Gerard's fingers from him, his mouth away from his collar bone. "Maybe uh, this isn't... Gerard?" He was moved easily by Frank, and it took a moment for Frank to realize there were tears streaming down his cheeks. He was still, frozen in Frank's lap, motionless except for the soft shake of his shoulders.
"I can't do it," Gerard spoke between sobs. Frank wasn't entirely sure what Gerard meant, until his hand was directed down to his own crotch. He could feel himself semi-hard under their fingers, and then Gerard moved them to the front of his jeans. He rubbed their hands over it, closing his eyes and pushing his hips forward. "I can't..." he said again, and Frank got it. Gerard was soft, completely and utterly soft. "I want to. I want you, but... I can't, it won't--"
"It's okay. It's. It doesn't. Don't worry about it, okay?" Frank tried to be reassuring. "This isn't the time for any of that," he wiped Gerard's tears with his thumbs and kissed the corner of his mouth. "It's okay," he said again. Maybe if he said it enough times, it would be the truth. "You remembered more about it, didn't you?"
"The words," Gerard nodded. "The words but not the voice. He said it was revenge, but I don't know what for. I don't know what I could've done to make someone--"
"You didn't do anything. Nothing deserves what he did to you. Nothing," Frank cut in quickly, wrapping his arms around Gerard and just holding him tight, whispering into his hair. "Nothing. You did nothing."
It had taken a while for Gerard to calm down, and when he did, Frank listened while he explained what he remembered of what had happened to him the day he was raped in the secluded New Jersey alley. Gerard remembered waking that day, and that he'd had a small portfolio with him with the intention of showing it around, seeing if he could get any interests roused about his work. He'd loved the internship at DC, but he wanted to work more with people who were actually buying the comics produced, as opposed to the people who thought they knew what everyone wanted to read, so when his internship came to an end, he started working for Brian while looking at what else he could do with the talent people told him he had. He remembered someone, someone with a face he couldn't remember, couldn't quite place, asking him for the time. And when Gerard looked hesitantly at his watch and answered--it was 3.20pm, he remembers--he was pulled into the adjacent alley, with an apology that the traffic was just way too loud to be able to hear his answer.
So he gave it again. He remembered the guy wearing a hood, and sunglasses. It wasn't sunny but Gerard could appreciate them, he'd worn them plenty when there was no sun to be found, himself. They struck up a short conversation, and Gerard was told it might be quicker if he exited the other end of the alley to get where he was going. It wasn't an alley Gerard had bothered venturing down before, but he smiled and thanked the stranger as they headed their separate ways. It was only when he got to the corner that he realized all it held was five feet of a dead-end, so started heading back, coming face to face with the guy that had led him there. "You know what? I forgot, there's no way out the other end," was what he'd said, and Gerard had lowered his head with the intent of just walking right past him, but he was stopped. The first thing that crossed his mind was being mugged. The last, was rape.
Gerard rushed the recap from there, not wanting to linger on it too long. He was sat curled up on Frank's thighs, head pushed into his chest. He held Frank's hands in his own, squeezing and rubbing his fingers over them as he talked almost clinically, the way he had back at the hospital. "He wouldn't let me get by, shoved me back to the brick wall. He was...taller than me, I remember, not heavy though. I didn't think there'd be much weight to him, but before I could do anything he had me shoved into these boxes, going through my jacket and my pockets. He was breathing in my ear one moment and pushing my jeans down the next. I tried, tried to fight him but he just kept pushing me down, hitting me. He. He talked all the way through, about how he didn't want to do it, but it was revenge, how he had to. It hurt so bad, I thought I was gonna die... I thought he was going to kill me. I didn't hear most of what he said. Couldn't. I couldn't concentrate on anything but wishing it was over. And then. Then nothing. I don't remember anything but him hitting me, and waking up to some woman trying to shake me conscious."
When Gerard finished, they sat in silence for a few minutes. Frank had no idea what to say that he hadn't already said; that it wasn't Gerard's fault, that he wished he could take it away--it wasn't his fault. He ghosted his fingers over the spots he knew the bruising had been at. He felt helpless, all he wanted was to make it better, make it go away. He wanted to find the guy who hurt Gerard, taken so much from him, and in all honesty, kill him. Though he knew it wouldn't make him any better of a person. "Maybe you should tell the police. Just because you weren't on their files, doesn't mean this guy won't be, and I'm sure Patrick will still have the samples--"
"No, Frank. It'd be stupid. It's been months now and--"
"It doesn't matter how long it's been," Frank urged Gerard up, got him to sit back against the sofa and look at him. "I'm sure there are plenty of people who don't talk about it right away, it can't be an easy thing to do. And even if he's not known to the police, at least they'll have him on file--if something like this happens again..."
Gerard blinked a few times, thinking. "Just. I'll think about it, okay? Let me think it over for a while." He stroked Frank's cheek and brought his lips to Frank's jaw. "There's so much going on right now..."
"I know. But," Frank hated to lie, really hated it, but he supposed that maybe it might not turn out to be quite a lie in the end; "it'll be okay." Frank lifted his head and drew Gerard's down onto his shoulder, "You'll be okay, and we'll be okay. I'm gonna take care of you just like you deserve. Nobody's gonna hurt you anymore."
.......................
A couple of days later Frank finished his medications, he felt a lot better, his symptoms had gradually eased off to just occasionally feeling like he'd been dragged through a bush backwards, and knowing Gerard was feeling better about the incident at the store made him feel better too. The guy had apparently come in to make sure Gerard was okay, and there were no hard feelings. Brian still didn't know what had happened, but he was glad he was able to coax Gerard out of the back room he'd retreated to when he'd come in the next day.
Frank had to really persuade Gerard to stay over with him though. It wasn't that he didn't want to be around Frank, but he was still having trouble getting it up. He'd gradually get so far, and then nothing, so he felt pretty embarrassed about that, even though Frank tried his hardest to reassure him that it didn't matter. Gerard had been through a lot, and Frank could understand his body's lack of interest in anything sexual. His only surprise was that it had taken so long get that way, rather than being the immediate reaction (or non-reaction), that he would've normally associated with rape. He told Gerard it'd just take time, and that he should relax, not put any pressure on himself. "I love you," Frank said, "things'll get better."
The day before Gerard's HIV test, Frank was just getting ready to go and meet him on his lunch break. He'd stopped in Starbucks for their usual but was kind of early, so decided to just sit and have one by himself until it was time to go. As he sipped his coffee, wiping the whipped cream from his lips, his attention was pulled to the lounging area beside him; the two guys on the expensive suede couch weren't talking especially loudly, but one of them was so animated in his arm movements that Frank could help listening in.
"I can't believe you went there in the first place," one guy had said. Frank dubbed him 'Big Nose'. His nose wasn't exactly large, but long, just like his face. He was obviously tall, they both were, but this guy had tall features--if that's possible--and a strange bowl-cut-like haircut. "You'll get found out, my friend. You're just asking for trouble."
"Naw, no way, man. The guy's got like, no fucking clue. If he knew, there's no way he wouldn't have said something already." The second guy punched Big Nose lightly in the arm, laughing and sitting back on the couch, shoving his feet up on the table in front of them. "And this way, well, maybe I can get a repeat performance, y'know?"
"Yeah? Well, you'd just better be sure to get his stuff out of your place if you're gonna bring him there--don't know why you kept it anyway. It's just plain stupid if you ask me."
"Well, Ry, I wasn't asking you. Anyway, I gotta go. Got a date to keep." Frank saw the lewd wink the guy gave his friend before he left, and he couldn't help feeling bad for whoever it was he was going to see.
"You're gonna see him now?" Big Nose called after him, "Maybe you can get him to draw you some porn this time, huh?" The guy laughed, and Frank had to cringe at the lack of giving a shit that people could hear, that either of them was showing. But then Frank caught on. Drawing, having some guy's stuff, getting found out, someone not remembering...he was tall...
"Shit! Hey," Frank motioned to Big Nose, "where's your friend off to?"
"Nobody ever tell you it's rude to listen in on someone's conversation?" The guy sat back, smirking, and Frank lunged at him, pressing him further into the couch with a tight grip on his collar.
"Nobody ever tell you it's disgusting to rape someone?" Frank spat, and the guy's expression changed. The smirk fell from his face and Frank couldn't help feeling slightly satisfied he was on the right track. "Where, is he going?"
"C-comic store, uh, a few blocks away."
"Fuck, fuck! Fucking bastard!" Frank muttered. His grip on the guy's collar tightened for a second before he let go. He got held up on his way to the door, almost knocking over a couple with freshly bought coffees in their hands, and pushing--instead of pulling--the door to get out. When he made it onto the street, there was no sign of the guy he was looking for, so he got out his cell, calling Gerard as he walked hurriedly to the store.
"Hey, Frank. I'm not quite on my break yet. Everything okay?" Gerard said quickly.
"Not really. Just, stay there, I'm on my way over. Stay uh, stay out back for me, okay?"
"Um... I'm kinda waiting for Mikey to drop by too. And--oh. I gotta go, the lesson guy's just walking in. See you when you get here."
Gerard hung up and Frank started running down the street, as fast as he could considering how he was feeling, cursing to himself and calling Mikey. "Hurry up and get over to the store. Emergency" he shouted as soon Mikey answered, and hung up. Slightly out of breath from talking and running, Frank took a second to start talking when the recipient of his next phone call answered. "J-Joe, you have to meet me. Schec--Schechter's World of...Comics. Soon as--"
"Frank? Frank, slow down, I'm on duty, man. What's going on?"
"Just get there!"
"That's the place where Andy works, right? I'll be as quick as I can."
"Someone's gonna get fucked up," Frank said to himself as he raced past the last couple of stores. He stopped briefly to catch his breath as he opened the door, and upon entering, looked around for Gerard. He could only see Brian and Andy.
"Frank, you okay? What's the hurry for?" Brian asked from the cash register.
"Gerard. Where's Gerard?" He was about to ask again, when the backroom opened and Gerard stepped out, followed by the coffee shop guy who seemed to be carrying some canvases and staring down at what Frank could only imagine was Gerard's ass.
Gerard's face lit up upon seeing him, he smiled, "Hey, Frank." He moved aside, and Frank got a clear view of the man behind. "This is the--" Frank ran at him, grabbing fistfuls of his jacket and swinging him around to the wall. He was lucky to have the element of surprise, or he wasn't sure he'd have gotten away with it. "What the fuck? Frank!" Gerard was shouting. "What the hell are you doing?"
Frank ignored it in favor of shoving the guy hard into the shelving. Ignored the way Andy was clutching at his hair in horror over the masses of comics spilling onto the floor, and how Brian was behind him, wanting to know what the fuck Frank thought he was doing to a customer. The guy's hands found their way to Frank's neck, and they struggled. Frank trying to repeatedly knock the guy's head into the shelving or wall, whilst trying to keep himself from being strangled. Brian tried to pull them apart to no avail; nobody was going to get in Frank's way. Frank eased up on his grip to take a swing for the guy's face, but his wrist got caught in Brian's hand so he brought his knee up instead. Right to the guy's crotch.
"Motherfucker!" he shouted, doubling up and attempting to push Frank away. It didn't work though. Frank used the reduction in height to his advantage, managing to get in a few punches before he felt the hard blow to his stomach.
People were still shouting, but as Frank kicked the guy over to the floor, nobody was trying to stop him anymore. Frank sat himself--none too carefully--down on the guy's chest, pinning his arms down with his knees. "How do you like it, huh? Not being able to move, not knowing what someone's gonna do to you?" The guy struggled, protesting, claiming he had no idea what Frank was talking about, and of course to an extent, he didn't. He didn't know Frank knew what he'd done. Frank gave him a swift right-hook to his jaw and leant down to his ear as he heard the jingle of the door's overhead bell. "You raped my boyfriend," he growled. "So now I'm gonna fuck you up."
The look on the guy's face was startled, to say the least, but suddenly, he relaxed. He didn't fight it anymore, and Frank followed the gaze over his shoulder. It rested on the newest entrant to the store; Mikey. "Son of a bitch!" Mikey shouted, "What are you doing here?!"
"Well, at least you remember me, sweet cheeks."
Mikey and Gerard exchanged looks, and for Mikey at least, things seemed to slip into place. He flew over to Frank's side, staring down. "Gabe...You. You did that to my brother." It wasn't a question, Mikey already knew the answer.
"You're a fucking cocktease, Michael. Thought I had an easy one with you. You made me look like a fool!"
Frank was about to go in for another punch, when Gerard's quiet and shaky voice was heard behind him. "It was you. You... Revenge... God. Oh my God." His hand was covering his mouth, and Frank jumped up, pulling Gerard to his chest. Frank herded him into the corner, shielded him from the efforts of his brother trying to keep Gabe down on the floor with his heavy boots, and Brian backing him up--even though he couldn't be exactly sure what was going on.
"You motherfucking shit-faced bastard!" Mikey cried, trying his best to inflict whatever pain he could. "You don't touch my brother. You don't ever fucking touch him! You hear me?" Mikey grabbed a cluster of Gabe's hair, yanking his head to the side, "Do you fucking hear me? You don't EVER fucking touch him!"
It was only moments after that that Officer Joseph Trohman entered the store. There was blood gurgling in Gabe's throat--from his nose, his mouth. Brian immediately stepped away from where he had a foot pressed down--high up on Gabe's thigh. Mikey, however, still hovered over him, fists clenched tight by his sides. Andy sat on the floor, looking at all the mess and wondering what he should save first, which comic was going to need to be replaced. Probably all of them if he had his way. They were all just a little marked--Andy would certainly never buy one in anything less than pristine condition. By the time Joe looked around to Frank, Gerard was practically hysterical. He was crying, breathing all crooked and harsh, and Frank could feel his legs weaken, holding him up more and more until he had to let Gerard settle-down on the carpet. "Mikey," Frank called, motioning to Gerard, and Mikey's face fell. He was quick at Gerard's side, and though he tried batting them both away, after Frank took Gerard's cheeks in his hands and told him to stay with his brother, Gerard let Mikey hold him.
"Uh, Frank?" Joe coughed, cleared his throat loudly and sat down to check on Gabe. He mostly just had small cuts, though the one on his cheek was probably going to need stitches. "You gonna tell me what the hell's going on? Aw, shit. I've seen you before, haven't I?" Gabe didn't say anything, just closed his eyes, out of energy. "Get up," Joe said, hauling Gabe up to his feet and turning to Brian. "You got a backroom, storage or something?"
Brian nodded, showing him the way, and Joe pulled Gabe in there. He emerged a few seconds later, minus his handcuffs.
Frank took Joe to the side while Mikey stayed with Gerard and Brian, and Andy tried to salvage what he could out of the mass of ruined comics. "Remember when Bob asked you to run prints on that drawing before Christmas for one of our patients?"
"Gabe was your patient? But I saw the photo-"
"You know who he is?" Frank asked, a bit shocked. But he shook his head as Joe started to answer. "Tell me in a minute. The patient was Gerard," he nodded his head in Gerard's direction. "We kind of found out after... Um. He'd been raped. He didn't... Gabe. It was him."
Joe didn't say anything for a moment, scratching his hair underneath his hat. "You're only telling me this now? Frank, you know you're supposed to report that."
"Yeah, I know, okay. He was scared, and he didn't remember anything. He didn't want you guys involved."
"So what you're now saying is that you figured out who did it, and proceeded to try and beat the crap out of him? Frank, do you realize what kind of position you've put me in here? We're friends, but there's only so much I can pretend I didn't see. You've blood all over your shirt!" Joe looked over to Gerard. He was still crying, curled up with Brian and Mikey trying their best to calm him. Mikey was crying too, and Brian was obviously slowly piecing everything together with the help of Mikey's tearful confession of how he knew Gabe. "I'm gonna have to take him in now. I'm not taking you, too, but if he decides to press charges... Well, you know it's probable, don't you? Your friends, also."
"I don't care, let him. I'd do it again--"
"That attitude isn't going to get you anywhere, Frank. You called me. It's premeditated assault at best...bodily harm. You know that shit. But..."
"Are you gonna make him give a statement? Gerard, I mean. I don't know if he'll want to."
"I don't think we'll need to. Honestly? We already know this guy. He's been in on two suspected rapes but we couldn't get enough evidence. No DNA of any kind. However, we had a young girl come to us two weeks ago, same kind of story, same description; we've had an eye out for him with a view to bringing him in. We got a semen sample from the last girl. I guess I'll take him back and we'll get some tests done. If uh, if your friend doesn't come in, then there's no reason for any of you to have touched him... Nothing for him to back up any accusations with."
"What? Are you... are you saying--"
"I'm saying, that maybe, I tried to pick him up, and he resisted. That maybe we had a bit of a scramble and... he got a little roughed up. With his rap sheet, I don't think anyone'll delve too deep. I think you should take your friend home, Frank."
part six a
CHAPTER: part five
PAIRING: Frank/Gerard
RATING:Individually rated. NC-17 for swears and boy touching
SUMMARY: Frank Iero, male nurse at Pete Wentz's private hospital and possibly more to one new patient he can't keep his eyes off of.
DISCLAIMER: Not real, never happened.
WARNING: Standard implied rape warning.
A/N: Beta'd by behindskylines
part one
part two
part three
part four
When Frank awoke the next morning, it was with Gerard's legs tangled up with his own, lips pressed against his collar bone, and Gerard's fingers twisted in his t-shirt. He could see from the clock across the room that it was still early, and he was glad that, unlike the last time, he was first awake. Gerard made a startled sound in the back of his throat as Frank shifted out from his grasp but didn't wake up. He pulled the covers up, tucking him in and smiling to himself as he kissed Gerard's forehead lightly. "Back for you soon," he whispered, wondering if the words would worm their way into whatever dream he was having.
Skipping his way downstairs, Frank set about what he'd quickly decided on doing, trying not to make too much mess or noise. His head was banging, but there were things he wanted to do, so he tried to get on with them as best as he could. When he was done, he headed back up, happy to see Gerard wasn't yet awake. "Hey," he touched Gerard's arm gently, "wake up, babe." Gerard grunted something Frank couldn't understand, so Frank pulled the covers off of him, stroking his cheek and holding his wrist a bit firmer. "Gerard, wake up."
"Hmmm? S'it morning?" he mumbled, voice heavy with sleep as he cleared his throat. "Time is it?" he asked, attempting to wriggle down to where the covers lay over his thighs.
"Time to get up, sleepy head. C'mon, let me help you." Frank reached for Gerard's wrists, and Gerard gave them up easily but didn't help with the getting up, just let himself be pulled by Frank until he was sitting--half slumped--on Frank at the edge of the bed.
"Too early. Sleep with me s'more. Don't wanna get up yet."
Frank let him sit there for a minute, stroking a hand through his hair until he felt Gerard's head start to slide from his shoulder to his chest. "Hey, no going back to sleep," he laughed, poking at Gerard's shoulder. "C'mon, up," he said, standing and bringing Gerard with him.
"Did you at least bring me coffee? Or a cigarette?"
Frank put an arm around Gerard's shoulders, leading him out onto the landing. "You're kinda whiney in the morning, huh?"
"I'm not a morning person. Food?" Gerard asked, frowning when they reached the bathroom. "If you're bringing me for a piss or something, I promise you I'm already potty-trained."
Frank shook his head, putting the seat of the toilet down and sitting Gerard on it. "No, just hang on." He leant into the shower and turned it on.
"You showered last night. Both did. What're you doing?" Gerard rubbed his eyes, waking up a bit and pulling at the tangles in his hair.
"I don't want you to smell gross when you get to work."
Gerard watched as Frank started taking off his clothes. "I don't smell," he said, lifting his arms and sniffing just to be sure. "I don't."
"Not right now, no," Frank said knowingly, tugging at Gerard's hand as a signal for him to stand, and undressing him when he did so. "But you might have, if we weren't in the shower for this." He tested the water with one hand, and satisfied it was okay, gestured for Gerard to enter. After getting in with him, Frank ran his hands down Gerard's chest, holding him at his waist as he moved closer.
Gerard asked, "What are you doing?" while spitting water at Frank playfully and resting his elbows on Frank's shoulders, playing with the ends of his hair.
Frank shook his head, trailing one finger down Gerard's hip and stroking his cock slowly, letting him harden slowly in his palm. "You'll see. Just tell me when."
Gerard bit his lip, nodding, and let his head fall back against the tiles as Frank settled onto his knees. Frank started slow, rubbing one hand up and down Gerard's thigh as he licked at the tip of his cock, fisting the length. He could soon see the precome building up, wanting so badly to just lick it away. He washed it away instead, taking Gerard in his mouth and sucking while wrapping his fingers around his own length to bring himself off at the same time. He could hear Gerard's soft noises, mostly lost in the noisy spray of water, but his actions were loud and clear. Hands fisting in Frank's hair, and his hips pushing himself further into Frank's mouth. Frank took him eagerly, weaving a hand through Gerard's thighs to press at his ass, help pull him in. He hoped Gerard was close, he didn't know how much longer he could hold out.
Suddenly, Gerard pulled himself away from the suction of Frank's mouth. "Close. Really close," he panted, wrapping his own hand around himself to finish off as Frank stood.
"Fuck," Frank mouthed at seeing Gerard touching himself like that, eyes locked on Frank's. "Fuck, I really wanna watch you do that...but not this time," he pushed their bodies together, grinding and touching, hitching a knee up slightly to get closer, and Gerard responded, pressing himself against the wall so Frank could go at it harder, easier with something to lean on. Frank moaned as Gerard's hands roamed his back and sides, as his tongue swiped over the wet surface of his cheek. He could feel their erections sliding alongside each other's, and the slight slippery friction was enough.
They came almost together, cum smearing across their stomachs as Frank wiped his hand though it with a smirk. Seconds later, it was all washed away, and Gerard smiled lazily. "Good way to wake up."
They finished up, washing each other quickly between kisses and drying off equally as fast before getting dressed.
"I kinda made pancakes before I woke you up," Frank said as they made their way downstairs. "They'll be cold now, but-"
Gerard said, "I can deal with that," climbing onto Frank's back as he reached the bottom, and wrapping his arms around Frank's neck, laying their wet heads together.
Frank shivered, "Water's dripping down my neck," as he lowered Gerard onto a chair. He wiped his sleeve over the droplets, bringing the plate of pancakes to Gerard and taking one off of the top to munch on as he started up the coffee machine.
"These are awesome, you've a talent. Pancake talent." Gerard was obviously hungry, Frank could tell by the way he'd eaten three by the time the coffee was ready. "Thanks. I should stay here more often if this is anything to go by," he said with a gentle laugh as he took his coffee mug, sipping it slowly. "And you make better coffee than Mikey." Frank smiled, sitting right up next to Gerard and pulling his cigarettes from his pocket. He lit one for himself and put it to Gerard's lips.
"I like having you around," he shrugged, reclaiming his cigarette. "And I want you to come back. A lot." He kissed Gerard's neck, nuzzling his nose at the shell of his ear, just the way he'd realized made Gerard practically purr.
"Mmm, Frankie," Gerard tried to lift his shoulder, blushing. "Tickles." He was lying though, and Frank was well aware Gerard knew he'd see through it.
"Yeah, well. Hurry up and finish off whatever you want, gotta get you to work, remember?" Frank left him there, filling a glass with water to take his medication. He wasn't feeling so bad by that time, he'd had worse headaches, and it'd certainly died down from when he'd woken up. He was still tired though, and definitely going back to sleep after Gerard got to work.
...........................
Gerard was only five minutes late, so Brian didn't get too annoyed, but did ask him to start as soon as he could. He wanted some new boards for outside, some flyers, and maybe a new design for the store sign. It was also, Frank quickly noticed, Gerard's artist workshop day. He thought about getting some kind of portable seat--a little fishing chair or something--and taking up residence outside, maybe just for the fun of it. He really was too tired though, so said goodbye to Brian and then Gerard--promising to come and meet him on his way in to work--and just about made it home to his sofa before having to just crash there. He knew his legs wouldn't make it up the stairs, so didn't even try.
...............
When Frank woke up, it was dark, and he was wrapped up all cozy in his bed. He didn't even remember making it up there. "Shit," he mumbled at he tried to focus on his watch. Gerard would've finished work hours ago, and Frank had hoped to wake up in time to meet him, or at least call him. Then he remembered he was supposed to be at work himself, and realized he'd have to call Bob as soon as he could. He rubbed his eyes, swinging his legs over the side of the bed, and stumbled towards the bathroom, not even bothering to turn the light on.
It was halfway through having a piss that he heard laughter, voices coming from downstairs. "What the fuck..." he shook off quickly, creeping down the stairs, avoiding the ones he knew were creaky. Grabbing an umbrella, his grandfather's old wooden-handled one from by the front door, he ran into the kitchen, the umbrella poised above his head.
"Get the fuck out!" he screamed, stopping at the doorway. Gerard was in there, so startled by Frank that he dropped his coffee mug on the floor.
"Christ, Frank. You okay, baby?" His mom was there too, quickly getting up from her seat at the table and feeling Frank's head as he stood speechless and still clutching the umbrella. "You don't have a fever."
"I'd be fine if you didn't go, like, letting yourself in without telling me. I thought I was getting robbed or something." His mom just frowned at him, Gerard smirking from his place on the floor as he wiped up the mess. "Hi, by the way," he said, exchanging a hug with his mom and kissing her cheek. "Gee, leave it. I'll finish cleaning it up. My fault anyway." Frank patted Gerard's shoulder, directing him back to the table to sit down, and finished getting rid of the mess, throwing away the pieces of broken porcelain. "What are you guys doing here, anyway?"
"Mikey and I dropped by after work. I was worried when you didn't show up or call, but there was no answer, and then your mom was here. You were on the sofa when she opened the door, so we got you upstairs."
"You barely even woke up," Linda started, "are you not well? I hope you don't mind, but I called the hospital for you and told them you wouldn't be in tonight."
"Shit, mom, thanks. You didn't have to. I'm just. Just really tired. Been uh, working real hard lately and I guess it's just caught up with me." Frank rubbed at his neck; he hated lying to his mom. "But anyway, how have you been? How's...things."
"We're all fine. Kaylee misses you though. She wants you to come by more often.
"Ma, I would, you know I would but--"
"I know, I know," she says understandingly, placing a hand over Frank’s. "I don't think your friend needs to be hearing about our troubles right now, okay?" Frank nodded, turning to Gerard.
"Thanks for sticking around," he smiled. "You two've been introduced then?"
"Yes, Gerard was telling me all about his art work and I must say, it sounds very impressive. You didn't tell me you had a friend who was an artist, Frank."
Gerard blushed as Frank spoke to his mom again, "Well... I don't know, you want me to tell you each time I make a friend or something? Thought we passed that when I reached the age of ten. We've got some catching up to do."
"Funny, Frank. You always were the comedian of the family. No, I don't, but it'd be nice if you told me when you met a nice guy like Gerard to be spending all your time with..." Frank looked at Gerard, and Gerard looked back, like, 'I didn't say anything'. Linda laughed. "I was right then? Knew it. I owe myself ten bucks."
"You bet yourself ten bucks Gerard and I were-"
"Boyfriends? Yes. You did good, Frank, he's a cute one."
"Mom! Stop being embarrassing!" Frank covered his face with his hands and shook his head. "Okay, so you know now. Alright? Any other details you'd like me to fill you in on?"
"No," Linda stood, putting on her jacket. "But, Gerard, honey, you might wanna stir that pasta before it sticks," she kissed Gerard's cheek and ruffled his hair with a smile. "You, Frank, don't be a stranger, okay? I don't get to see you nearly enough. Next time you come over, bring Gerard with you. I think Kaylee would like him, too."
"Yes mom," he replied dryly, following her to the door.
"He's sweet, Frankie. Treat him good. I like him."
"I intend to. Go on, go get home," he said, practically shoving her out of the door.
"I swear I didn't say a word," Gerard laughed as Frank came back in.
He wrapped his hands around Gerard's waist, linking his fingers over his stomach and kissing the side of Gerard's neck "I know. Doesn't matter, my mom's pretty cool anyway." He looked over Gerard's shoulder, "You cooking pasta then?" Gerard nodded, stirring it a couple more times before turning around in Frank's arms.
"Wanted to make you something for when you woke up. Your mom said you'd like it... probably what gave us away." Frank leant in, parting Gerard's lips with his tongue and pressing him against the counter. "It's gonna burn..." he mumbled into Frank's mouth.
Frank said, "Don't care," lifting him onto the counter and cupping his cheeks as they kissed again.
"Mmm, but I do," Gerard pulled back, a chaste kiss to the corner of Frank's mouth. "I worked hard on that pasta."
Faking annoyance, Frank moved away and let him jump down. He sat at the table as told to. "So, how'd it go today?"
"Oh!" Gerard's face lit up instantly as he searched for plates. "It was pretty good. I had two people come in to learn stuff, and one of them's coming back in a few days, I think he's really interested in what he learned today. Feels good." As he put the plates of pasta out on the table, Frank raised his eyebrows at Gerard. "What? Looks okay, doesn't it?"
"Was he cute?"
"Oh, fuck off," Gerard laughed. "I wasn't even looking. Don't even joke about it. No one’s cuter than you. Anyway, he was too bright to be cute."
"Bright, like, smart and arty?" Frank scooped up the pasta as he spoke, not quite waiting until he'd swallowed it before continuing, "This is really fucking good!"
Gerard blushed. "Thanks, your mom told me how to make the sauce though. And no, not art-smart-bright, like a rainbow vomited on him kind of bright." He started eating from his own plate, seemingly surprised it did actually taste good. "Seemed nice enough though. And Brian wants to know when you can hook him up with your tattooist, wants something on his neck, apparently."
"Mmm, okay, I'll see what I can do." Frank was only half listening, concentrating more on shoveling the food down his throat than anything else. When he was done he looked over at Gerard's plate, still half full. "Are you gonna--"
"Be my guest," Gerard laughed, pushing it over to him. "You feeling any better now? You were pretty out of it earlier."
"Less hungry. Still kinda tired though." Frank finished what was left and slumped down in his chair. "Could I be really lazy and ask you to get the meds and some water for me?"
Gerard smiled, "Sure," bringing what Frank had asked for over to the table. "Not too much longer," he said sadly when Frank had finished, laying their heads together and rubbing Frank's back.
"Yeah... I know." Secretly he was dreading Gerard's test. It was going to be emotional whichever way it went, but the waiting was the worst part.
"I'm gonna go get us a blanket, and then we're gonna curl up on the sofa for a while, okay? And then, I think your mom said you like waffles? I can make you some and, I don't know. Maybe you'd like a bath later or something? Relax a little--"
Frank grinned. He liked that Gerard was making plans and just doing stuff, rather than having to ask for permission on everything. His confidence was really growing, and Frank loved that. "What's all that for? You don't have to do any of that, I just like you being here. You don't have to do stuff."
"I know, it's just that. Well, you've been feeling really shitty, and as much as you say it's not my fault, if we hadn't met, you wouldn't be going through this." Gerard sat gently on Frank's knee, pouting at him. "Your motherfucking job is taking care of other people. Who takes care of you? I just wanna look after you a little. So let me, yeah? And um, your mom and I already did some of your laundry earlier…"
..................
After the first few days of Frank being on the medication, his energy was practically zero, and the sporadic vomiting and headaches didn't help at all. He was determined to finish the course though. He'd heard it could be tough, really knock someone for six, but he hadn't realized exactly how true that was before. Gerard came over when he could--managing to master Frank's coffee machine, and making him dinner--but he was busy at the store, doing extra hours and helping Brian out with a new store layout. He was pretty much Brian's only employee, except for Andy, but he spent more time with his head in the comics than he did actually cataloging and keeping the shelves stocked.
When actually at work, Bob let Frank deal more with the administrative side of things after getting him to talk to Pete so they could more effectively arrange emergency cover, in the form of a young man named William. He was a lot like Brendon really; kind of clumsy, but also tall and pretty gangly, and unlike Brendon, rather shy. He was a trainee Pete had agreed to take on once in a while, but he wasn't too bad at his job when it didn't require too much talking. Pete suggested he see Travis about his slight stammer, hoping it would give him some more confidence and hopefully turn him into a more efficient nurse once his training was over. Frank was more than happy to help him out if it meant he got to stay seated for most of his shifts--waste-paper basket poised between his feet, just in case.
Gerard was doing pretty well, more memories would come back to him gradually, things he hadn't realized he'd forgotten, and when they did, he'd call Frank and tell him whatever gem of a memory it was that had struck him. Even if it was something as mundane as remembering his favorite OJ brand, or that Mikey had thrown a stick into the spokes of his bike one time and sent him flying off of it. Two weeks into Frank's treatment, it'd been arranged for him to switch to day shifts so that he could get his sleeping pattern on track, he was about to leave, when Patrick found him, tapping him on the shoulder to get his attention. "Hey, how're you feeling?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, not too bad. Bundles of energy," he grinned kind of sarcastically, "woo-hoo."
"Well, you should probably head up to Travis' office," he said grimly.
"Patrick, really, I'm okay--"
"Not for you, Frank. Gerard came in as an emergency appointment. Must've looked pretty bad, Travis rescheduled two other people just to get him seen." Patrick shrugged solemnly as Frank thanked him and ran off.
He took the stairs two at a time--he'd tried three before, but when he missed one and nearly fell flat on his face he decided two was more than enough--and knocked on the door as soon as he reached it. The little red light was on above the door, signaling that the room was in use and not to be disturbed, but he knocked again anyway after getting no answer.
Travis took a moment to answer it, narrowing his eyes at Frank. "I know you're aware of what the light means, Frank."
"I know, I'm sorry. But--"
"I'll let you off this time. But only because he's finished now, okay? Don't do this again; it can be really unnerving for patients to be interrupted in the middle of something." Travis moved aside to show that Gerard was on his feet, and called to his next waiting patient, telling them he'd be with them soon.
"Travis," Gerard said as he reached the door, "thanks again for seeing me so quick... I didn't know what else to do."
"Whenever you need to, don't worry about it." He leant down considerably to whisper to him. Gerard nodded, stepping forward to Frank. His eyes were downcast, and though Frank tried to lift his chin, Gerard wouldn't look at him.
Frank wanted to say something, to ask him what was wrong or just give him a hug, but he didn't seem in the mood to be all touchy-feely, so Frank waited. He walked alongside Gerard as he loosely gripped the hem of Frank's jacket, walking them slowly outside and kicking idly at the crumbling stone path to the parking lot. Gerard lit a cigarette before he spoke a single word, offering the carton to Frank as he removed the smoke from his lips with trembling fingers. "You wanna know what Travis said?"
Gerard was talking in a tone Frank wasn't familiar with. He'd heard sad, scared, nervous, happy...but not this. It was distant and low, monotone. Half-hearted words for the sake of speaking. "If you wanna tell me," he answered, leaning against the wall next to Gerard, much like they had done soon after first meeting. Gerard looked up, placed one foot on the wall and craned his neck up awkwardly to blow his smoke into the sky.
"He said I should talk to you. That you should know." Gerard nearly laughed, pursing his lips to stifle it, before looking straight at Frank, his head still tipped towards the bricks. "He's right though. But...feeling like you should tell someone something, about yourself, that you've only just found out? It's. It's strange. I don't think I want any more memories back."
Frank tried hard to hold himself back from just grabbing Gerard and holding him tight, just to find out what was wrong. "Where'd Mikey park? We can go find somewhere warm to talk, if you want? My place, your place. Whatever--"
"Mikey's not here. I came by myself. I can't talk to him right now." Gerard shook his head sadly.
Frank reached out touched Gerard's wrist lightly with a single finger, hoping it wouldn't be too much. "By yourself?" he asked before he thought about it. Gerard wasn't a child; he could go where he wanted, whenever he wanted. He didn't need to be escorted everywhere, he'd just wanted to be. Hadn't wanted to be alone. "Do you want to tell me?"
Gerard looked at the butt of his cigarette as though he was inspecting it, before flicking it as far away as he could. "I should tell you. Travis was right."
"But do you want to?" Frank asked again.
"Honestly?" Frank nodded. He always wanted honesty; it was tattooed around his arm for heaven's sake. "No. I don't want to. Nobody wants to tell someone things like what I have to...hell, I don't even want to remember them. But I do have to."
Frank nodded like he understood, even though he really didn't, and started walking slowly to the bus shelter. Gerard followed.
Neither spoke during the entire ride. Gerard sat playing with his fingers, occasionally looking Frank's way apologetically, though Frank really didn't feel Gerard had anything to apologize for.
When they reached Frank's house, Gerard sat himself on the sofa while Frank took the last of his medication and made them both a coffee. He had a feeling Gerard could do with one. He wanted to tell Gerard he could start talking whenever he wanted to--that he was ready to listen, or that they could just do nothing, just sit in silence until Gerard figured out something else he'd rather do. He didn't though, couldn't find the words, didn't want to discourage him in any way. Thankfully, after staring at his mug for fifteen minutes straight, not sipping it once, Gerard found his own courage to speak.
"I did the lesson thing again today," he started quietly. So quietly and softly that Frank strained to hear him. Gerard cleared his throat. "I wasn't going to until next week, but that guy came in again--and damn, I can never remember his name. So I was showing him some stuff with charcoal, how it smudges, how you can blend it and create something beautiful with just one simple tool--but with hundreds of tones, and." Gerard did sip his coffee then, cringing at its lack of heat, but taking more anyway. Frank listened, trying to work out where it was going. "He was standing beside me, just looking, and...then he stood behind me, looking at it from my perspective. It wasn't. It didn't feel right, and when he..." Gerard closed his eyes tight, and Frank could see the tips of his fingers whiten where they were gripping the mug. Frank put a hand on Gerard's knee softly, and Gerard flinched, jumped at the contact. His eyes said he was sorry in an instant.
Frank didn't know what else to say but, "Sorry. Sorry, it's okay..." as he pulled his hand away quickly.
"When he spoke," Gerard cast his eyes down to his feet, pulling his knees up on the sofa as he looked up again. Directly into Frank's own eyes. "It was right next to my ear. I could feel his breath on the back of my neck and he put a hand on my shoulder. I flipped out, completely. Started screaming at him, practically knocked him the fuck over. I didn't mean to but, I couldn't help it. It just happened so quickly. Just like, like. In the alley." Gerard shivered visibly, tears welling up in his eyes. Frank didn't try to touch him that time, even though he wanted to. "Brian said he'd call Mikey to come get me, and I sat in the back room while he apologized to the poor guy... That's when it hit me. I didn't want him to call Mikey, I just wanted a drink. I told him. Told him I just needed a drink, that I was gonna go get trashed and sleep it off. I'd never. I hadn't thought about drinking, not once that I could remember, and it struck me as strange, y'know? Who's never had a drink in their life? But the more Brian was looking at me, biting his lip and telling me it was a bad idea--that I didn't wanna go down that road again, the more it came back to me. I'm an alcoholic, Frank. Recovering, apparently. But an alcoholic, none the less."
Gerard fidgeted, trying to gauge Frank's reaction. "You? Fuck! I can't imagine just, remembering something like that. You're okay though? You didn't drink, right?"
"I wanted to. So badly. I swear I wanted a drink right then more than I wanted a lot of things, maybe even you," Frank kept the hurt from showing in his expression. It must be a hard thing to deal with. "But no, I didn't. I went to see Travis instead. I told Brian I was sick, that I was gonna go home and rest. I hate keeping all this from him, he's been so good to me, he's like family... But I guess I haven't even told them the whole truth." Gerard laughed then, though Frank wasn't sure why at first. "Travis, and you, are the only people that know everything. Sounds kind of ridiculous. One guy, who's normally paid to hear about people’s problems, and my boyfriend, are the only people who know about every single bad thing that's happened to me recently, everything I've remembered. Even Mikey doesn't know everything." Gerard's tone was bitter at the mention of his brother. "He did know about my drinking though. He could've told me, warned me, but he didn't. I don't know why he kept it from me. I don't understand. I can remember...Frank, I really fucked up before. Really fucked up. What if I'd done it again? Why didn't he tell me?"
"Maybe he didn't realize it was something you'd forgotten?" Frank tried, "Maybe he thought if it came up, then he'd deal with it, and that hopefully it wouldn't be an issue? You should talk to him, really. I'm sure he was only trying to do what he thought was right--"
"Travis said that too, maybe you should take up counseling?" Gerard laughed, but it was lighter and not bitter, and he moved a little closer to Frank as he set his coffee on the floor. "You're not um, like, freaked out or anything?"
"Everyone makes mistakes. It's how you deal with them that matters." Gerard smiled, closing his eyes briefly, and Frank took the opportunity to cup Gerard's cheek in his palm. Gerard's eyes snapped open but he didn't move away, he moved closer, holding Frank's wrist and turning his head to catch the fingers of the hand he was holding with his lips.
Gerard asked, "C-can I sit with you?" quiet and nervously, and it made Frank's chest hurt, because Gerard should never feel like he has to ask.
So Frank just pulled him closer and into his lap. Gerard settled facing away from him, tipping his head back as Frank's hand came up to stroke over his neck, rubbing thumb over Gerard's throat and kissing the hair that tickled his chin. "I love you. Don't ever ask if you can sit with me-or anything- you don't have to. Just do it."
"Just don't let me drink, Frank. Please. I... I want to. I wanna forget... I'm so scared." Suddenly, Gerard turned himself around, bracing his knees either side of Frank's waist awkwardly, leant down and started kissing his neck. "Please, help me forget..." he mumbled, and Frank just let Gerard do what he wanted, what he needed to, sliding his hands comfortingly up and down his back. "I wanna forget what he did to me."
Frank whispered something like, "I know, I know. God, I wish so much this never happened to you," but he didn't think Gerard really heard him or was listening. He was rolling his hips against Frank, and reaching down to grasp him through his jeans. Frank let out a surprised moan and cocked his hips into Gerard's touch, though he didn't mean to, he didn't really think it was the best time for what Gerard was doing, felt like he was taking advantage of Gerard's weakened state. "Hey," he said softly, trying to pry Gerard's fingers from him, his mouth away from his collar bone. "Maybe uh, this isn't... Gerard?" He was moved easily by Frank, and it took a moment for Frank to realize there were tears streaming down his cheeks. He was still, frozen in Frank's lap, motionless except for the soft shake of his shoulders.
"I can't do it," Gerard spoke between sobs. Frank wasn't entirely sure what Gerard meant, until his hand was directed down to his own crotch. He could feel himself semi-hard under their fingers, and then Gerard moved them to the front of his jeans. He rubbed their hands over it, closing his eyes and pushing his hips forward. "I can't..." he said again, and Frank got it. Gerard was soft, completely and utterly soft. "I want to. I want you, but... I can't, it won't--"
"It's okay. It's. It doesn't. Don't worry about it, okay?" Frank tried to be reassuring. "This isn't the time for any of that," he wiped Gerard's tears with his thumbs and kissed the corner of his mouth. "It's okay," he said again. Maybe if he said it enough times, it would be the truth. "You remembered more about it, didn't you?"
"The words," Gerard nodded. "The words but not the voice. He said it was revenge, but I don't know what for. I don't know what I could've done to make someone--"
"You didn't do anything. Nothing deserves what he did to you. Nothing," Frank cut in quickly, wrapping his arms around Gerard and just holding him tight, whispering into his hair. "Nothing. You did nothing."
It had taken a while for Gerard to calm down, and when he did, Frank listened while he explained what he remembered of what had happened to him the day he was raped in the secluded New Jersey alley. Gerard remembered waking that day, and that he'd had a small portfolio with him with the intention of showing it around, seeing if he could get any interests roused about his work. He'd loved the internship at DC, but he wanted to work more with people who were actually buying the comics produced, as opposed to the people who thought they knew what everyone wanted to read, so when his internship came to an end, he started working for Brian while looking at what else he could do with the talent people told him he had. He remembered someone, someone with a face he couldn't remember, couldn't quite place, asking him for the time. And when Gerard looked hesitantly at his watch and answered--it was 3.20pm, he remembers--he was pulled into the adjacent alley, with an apology that the traffic was just way too loud to be able to hear his answer.
So he gave it again. He remembered the guy wearing a hood, and sunglasses. It wasn't sunny but Gerard could appreciate them, he'd worn them plenty when there was no sun to be found, himself. They struck up a short conversation, and Gerard was told it might be quicker if he exited the other end of the alley to get where he was going. It wasn't an alley Gerard had bothered venturing down before, but he smiled and thanked the stranger as they headed their separate ways. It was only when he got to the corner that he realized all it held was five feet of a dead-end, so started heading back, coming face to face with the guy that had led him there. "You know what? I forgot, there's no way out the other end," was what he'd said, and Gerard had lowered his head with the intent of just walking right past him, but he was stopped. The first thing that crossed his mind was being mugged. The last, was rape.
Gerard rushed the recap from there, not wanting to linger on it too long. He was sat curled up on Frank's thighs, head pushed into his chest. He held Frank's hands in his own, squeezing and rubbing his fingers over them as he talked almost clinically, the way he had back at the hospital. "He wouldn't let me get by, shoved me back to the brick wall. He was...taller than me, I remember, not heavy though. I didn't think there'd be much weight to him, but before I could do anything he had me shoved into these boxes, going through my jacket and my pockets. He was breathing in my ear one moment and pushing my jeans down the next. I tried, tried to fight him but he just kept pushing me down, hitting me. He. He talked all the way through, about how he didn't want to do it, but it was revenge, how he had to. It hurt so bad, I thought I was gonna die... I thought he was going to kill me. I didn't hear most of what he said. Couldn't. I couldn't concentrate on anything but wishing it was over. And then. Then nothing. I don't remember anything but him hitting me, and waking up to some woman trying to shake me conscious."
When Gerard finished, they sat in silence for a few minutes. Frank had no idea what to say that he hadn't already said; that it wasn't Gerard's fault, that he wished he could take it away--it wasn't his fault. He ghosted his fingers over the spots he knew the bruising had been at. He felt helpless, all he wanted was to make it better, make it go away. He wanted to find the guy who hurt Gerard, taken so much from him, and in all honesty, kill him. Though he knew it wouldn't make him any better of a person. "Maybe you should tell the police. Just because you weren't on their files, doesn't mean this guy won't be, and I'm sure Patrick will still have the samples--"
"No, Frank. It'd be stupid. It's been months now and--"
"It doesn't matter how long it's been," Frank urged Gerard up, got him to sit back against the sofa and look at him. "I'm sure there are plenty of people who don't talk about it right away, it can't be an easy thing to do. And even if he's not known to the police, at least they'll have him on file--if something like this happens again..."
Gerard blinked a few times, thinking. "Just. I'll think about it, okay? Let me think it over for a while." He stroked Frank's cheek and brought his lips to Frank's jaw. "There's so much going on right now..."
"I know. But," Frank hated to lie, really hated it, but he supposed that maybe it might not turn out to be quite a lie in the end; "it'll be okay." Frank lifted his head and drew Gerard's down onto his shoulder, "You'll be okay, and we'll be okay. I'm gonna take care of you just like you deserve. Nobody's gonna hurt you anymore."
.......................
A couple of days later Frank finished his medications, he felt a lot better, his symptoms had gradually eased off to just occasionally feeling like he'd been dragged through a bush backwards, and knowing Gerard was feeling better about the incident at the store made him feel better too. The guy had apparently come in to make sure Gerard was okay, and there were no hard feelings. Brian still didn't know what had happened, but he was glad he was able to coax Gerard out of the back room he'd retreated to when he'd come in the next day.
Frank had to really persuade Gerard to stay over with him though. It wasn't that he didn't want to be around Frank, but he was still having trouble getting it up. He'd gradually get so far, and then nothing, so he felt pretty embarrassed about that, even though Frank tried his hardest to reassure him that it didn't matter. Gerard had been through a lot, and Frank could understand his body's lack of interest in anything sexual. His only surprise was that it had taken so long get that way, rather than being the immediate reaction (or non-reaction), that he would've normally associated with rape. He told Gerard it'd just take time, and that he should relax, not put any pressure on himself. "I love you," Frank said, "things'll get better."
The day before Gerard's HIV test, Frank was just getting ready to go and meet him on his lunch break. He'd stopped in Starbucks for their usual but was kind of early, so decided to just sit and have one by himself until it was time to go. As he sipped his coffee, wiping the whipped cream from his lips, his attention was pulled to the lounging area beside him; the two guys on the expensive suede couch weren't talking especially loudly, but one of them was so animated in his arm movements that Frank could help listening in.
"I can't believe you went there in the first place," one guy had said. Frank dubbed him 'Big Nose'. His nose wasn't exactly large, but long, just like his face. He was obviously tall, they both were, but this guy had tall features--if that's possible--and a strange bowl-cut-like haircut. "You'll get found out, my friend. You're just asking for trouble."
"Naw, no way, man. The guy's got like, no fucking clue. If he knew, there's no way he wouldn't have said something already." The second guy punched Big Nose lightly in the arm, laughing and sitting back on the couch, shoving his feet up on the table in front of them. "And this way, well, maybe I can get a repeat performance, y'know?"
"Yeah? Well, you'd just better be sure to get his stuff out of your place if you're gonna bring him there--don't know why you kept it anyway. It's just plain stupid if you ask me."
"Well, Ry, I wasn't asking you. Anyway, I gotta go. Got a date to keep." Frank saw the lewd wink the guy gave his friend before he left, and he couldn't help feeling bad for whoever it was he was going to see.
"You're gonna see him now?" Big Nose called after him, "Maybe you can get him to draw you some porn this time, huh?" The guy laughed, and Frank had to cringe at the lack of giving a shit that people could hear, that either of them was showing. But then Frank caught on. Drawing, having some guy's stuff, getting found out, someone not remembering...he was tall...
"Shit! Hey," Frank motioned to Big Nose, "where's your friend off to?"
"Nobody ever tell you it's rude to listen in on someone's conversation?" The guy sat back, smirking, and Frank lunged at him, pressing him further into the couch with a tight grip on his collar.
"Nobody ever tell you it's disgusting to rape someone?" Frank spat, and the guy's expression changed. The smirk fell from his face and Frank couldn't help feeling slightly satisfied he was on the right track. "Where, is he going?"
"C-comic store, uh, a few blocks away."
"Fuck, fuck! Fucking bastard!" Frank muttered. His grip on the guy's collar tightened for a second before he let go. He got held up on his way to the door, almost knocking over a couple with freshly bought coffees in their hands, and pushing--instead of pulling--the door to get out. When he made it onto the street, there was no sign of the guy he was looking for, so he got out his cell, calling Gerard as he walked hurriedly to the store.
"Hey, Frank. I'm not quite on my break yet. Everything okay?" Gerard said quickly.
"Not really. Just, stay there, I'm on my way over. Stay uh, stay out back for me, okay?"
"Um... I'm kinda waiting for Mikey to drop by too. And--oh. I gotta go, the lesson guy's just walking in. See you when you get here."
Gerard hung up and Frank started running down the street, as fast as he could considering how he was feeling, cursing to himself and calling Mikey. "Hurry up and get over to the store. Emergency" he shouted as soon Mikey answered, and hung up. Slightly out of breath from talking and running, Frank took a second to start talking when the recipient of his next phone call answered. "J-Joe, you have to meet me. Schec--Schechter's World of...Comics. Soon as--"
"Frank? Frank, slow down, I'm on duty, man. What's going on?"
"Just get there!"
"That's the place where Andy works, right? I'll be as quick as I can."
"Someone's gonna get fucked up," Frank said to himself as he raced past the last couple of stores. He stopped briefly to catch his breath as he opened the door, and upon entering, looked around for Gerard. He could only see Brian and Andy.
"Frank, you okay? What's the hurry for?" Brian asked from the cash register.
"Gerard. Where's Gerard?" He was about to ask again, when the backroom opened and Gerard stepped out, followed by the coffee shop guy who seemed to be carrying some canvases and staring down at what Frank could only imagine was Gerard's ass.
Gerard's face lit up upon seeing him, he smiled, "Hey, Frank." He moved aside, and Frank got a clear view of the man behind. "This is the--" Frank ran at him, grabbing fistfuls of his jacket and swinging him around to the wall. He was lucky to have the element of surprise, or he wasn't sure he'd have gotten away with it. "What the fuck? Frank!" Gerard was shouting. "What the hell are you doing?"
Frank ignored it in favor of shoving the guy hard into the shelving. Ignored the way Andy was clutching at his hair in horror over the masses of comics spilling onto the floor, and how Brian was behind him, wanting to know what the fuck Frank thought he was doing to a customer. The guy's hands found their way to Frank's neck, and they struggled. Frank trying to repeatedly knock the guy's head into the shelving or wall, whilst trying to keep himself from being strangled. Brian tried to pull them apart to no avail; nobody was going to get in Frank's way. Frank eased up on his grip to take a swing for the guy's face, but his wrist got caught in Brian's hand so he brought his knee up instead. Right to the guy's crotch.
"Motherfucker!" he shouted, doubling up and attempting to push Frank away. It didn't work though. Frank used the reduction in height to his advantage, managing to get in a few punches before he felt the hard blow to his stomach.
People were still shouting, but as Frank kicked the guy over to the floor, nobody was trying to stop him anymore. Frank sat himself--none too carefully--down on the guy's chest, pinning his arms down with his knees. "How do you like it, huh? Not being able to move, not knowing what someone's gonna do to you?" The guy struggled, protesting, claiming he had no idea what Frank was talking about, and of course to an extent, he didn't. He didn't know Frank knew what he'd done. Frank gave him a swift right-hook to his jaw and leant down to his ear as he heard the jingle of the door's overhead bell. "You raped my boyfriend," he growled. "So now I'm gonna fuck you up."
The look on the guy's face was startled, to say the least, but suddenly, he relaxed. He didn't fight it anymore, and Frank followed the gaze over his shoulder. It rested on the newest entrant to the store; Mikey. "Son of a bitch!" Mikey shouted, "What are you doing here?!"
"Well, at least you remember me, sweet cheeks."
Mikey and Gerard exchanged looks, and for Mikey at least, things seemed to slip into place. He flew over to Frank's side, staring down. "Gabe...You. You did that to my brother." It wasn't a question, Mikey already knew the answer.
"You're a fucking cocktease, Michael. Thought I had an easy one with you. You made me look like a fool!"
Frank was about to go in for another punch, when Gerard's quiet and shaky voice was heard behind him. "It was you. You... Revenge... God. Oh my God." His hand was covering his mouth, and Frank jumped up, pulling Gerard to his chest. Frank herded him into the corner, shielded him from the efforts of his brother trying to keep Gabe down on the floor with his heavy boots, and Brian backing him up--even though he couldn't be exactly sure what was going on.
"You motherfucking shit-faced bastard!" Mikey cried, trying his best to inflict whatever pain he could. "You don't touch my brother. You don't ever fucking touch him! You hear me?" Mikey grabbed a cluster of Gabe's hair, yanking his head to the side, "Do you fucking hear me? You don't EVER fucking touch him!"
It was only moments after that that Officer Joseph Trohman entered the store. There was blood gurgling in Gabe's throat--from his nose, his mouth. Brian immediately stepped away from where he had a foot pressed down--high up on Gabe's thigh. Mikey, however, still hovered over him, fists clenched tight by his sides. Andy sat on the floor, looking at all the mess and wondering what he should save first, which comic was going to need to be replaced. Probably all of them if he had his way. They were all just a little marked--Andy would certainly never buy one in anything less than pristine condition. By the time Joe looked around to Frank, Gerard was practically hysterical. He was crying, breathing all crooked and harsh, and Frank could feel his legs weaken, holding him up more and more until he had to let Gerard settle-down on the carpet. "Mikey," Frank called, motioning to Gerard, and Mikey's face fell. He was quick at Gerard's side, and though he tried batting them both away, after Frank took Gerard's cheeks in his hands and told him to stay with his brother, Gerard let Mikey hold him.
"Uh, Frank?" Joe coughed, cleared his throat loudly and sat down to check on Gabe. He mostly just had small cuts, though the one on his cheek was probably going to need stitches. "You gonna tell me what the hell's going on? Aw, shit. I've seen you before, haven't I?" Gabe didn't say anything, just closed his eyes, out of energy. "Get up," Joe said, hauling Gabe up to his feet and turning to Brian. "You got a backroom, storage or something?"
Brian nodded, showing him the way, and Joe pulled Gabe in there. He emerged a few seconds later, minus his handcuffs.
Frank took Joe to the side while Mikey stayed with Gerard and Brian, and Andy tried to salvage what he could out of the mass of ruined comics. "Remember when Bob asked you to run prints on that drawing before Christmas for one of our patients?"
"Gabe was your patient? But I saw the photo-"
"You know who he is?" Frank asked, a bit shocked. But he shook his head as Joe started to answer. "Tell me in a minute. The patient was Gerard," he nodded his head in Gerard's direction. "We kind of found out after... Um. He'd been raped. He didn't... Gabe. It was him."
Joe didn't say anything for a moment, scratching his hair underneath his hat. "You're only telling me this now? Frank, you know you're supposed to report that."
"Yeah, I know, okay. He was scared, and he didn't remember anything. He didn't want you guys involved."
"So what you're now saying is that you figured out who did it, and proceeded to try and beat the crap out of him? Frank, do you realize what kind of position you've put me in here? We're friends, but there's only so much I can pretend I didn't see. You've blood all over your shirt!" Joe looked over to Gerard. He was still crying, curled up with Brian and Mikey trying their best to calm him. Mikey was crying too, and Brian was obviously slowly piecing everything together with the help of Mikey's tearful confession of how he knew Gabe. "I'm gonna have to take him in now. I'm not taking you, too, but if he decides to press charges... Well, you know it's probable, don't you? Your friends, also."
"I don't care, let him. I'd do it again--"
"That attitude isn't going to get you anywhere, Frank. You called me. It's premeditated assault at best...bodily harm. You know that shit. But..."
"Are you gonna make him give a statement? Gerard, I mean. I don't know if he'll want to."
"I don't think we'll need to. Honestly? We already know this guy. He's been in on two suspected rapes but we couldn't get enough evidence. No DNA of any kind. However, we had a young girl come to us two weeks ago, same kind of story, same description; we've had an eye out for him with a view to bringing him in. We got a semen sample from the last girl. I guess I'll take him back and we'll get some tests done. If uh, if your friend doesn't come in, then there's no reason for any of you to have touched him... Nothing for him to back up any accusations with."
"What? Are you... are you saying--"
"I'm saying, that maybe, I tried to pick him up, and he resisted. That maybe we had a bit of a scramble and... he got a little roughed up. With his rap sheet, I don't think anyone'll delve too deep. I think you should take your friend home, Frank."
part six a