"I'm out, Bob!" I yelled as I picked up my jacket. My boss simply threw me a quick thumbs-up and turned back to his computer. Whatever he was doing on there, it was pissing him off. I laughed to myself, and slipped out of the door. My battered car awaited me on the street, promising warmth, cigarettes, and The Misfits. I slid in, turned the key with one hand and pumped up the stereo with the other. As I drove, I found myself smiling widely and inexplicably, earning some weird looks from some truck driver at a stoplight. I didn't much care. Gerard would be at my home, waiting for me, I knew. He'd be drawing those beautiful comics he loved so much, or scribbling in a notebook he'd randomly acquired. It was fucking amazing, the effect he had on me. It had been so long since anyone gave me something to look forward too, something as simple as arriving home and seeing his face. Shit, that's soppy. But true, I guess. The only thing that really worried me was this mental issue he talked about. He was so adamant that it wasn't real, that he was fine, but I wasn't sure... The girl he talked about, the 'shadows'... and that time when he'd frozen up, staring at a blank space with so much horror in his expression... That wasn't the definition of 'fine'. I was worried  about him. But I didn't know what to do. I wanted Gerard to trust me, but I also wanted to help him. I couldn't go to a doctor for him, he'd never speak to me again. He hated doctors, he'd told me so many times before. But I couldn't let him suffer, either. And he was suffering - the marks on his arm were proof enough of that. I shuddered at the memory, of his beautiful porcelain skin marred by violent slashes. He was too beautiful for all of this weight pressing down on his shoulders. I suddenly wanted to hug him and tell him it would all be okay, and I was glad as I turned onto my street. My smile disappeared, however, when I saw my house, and the police officer sat on my doorstep. I pulled up and quickly ran over. Before I could even speak, the officer cut in. "Mr Iero. I'm not sure how aware you are, but the man you have been housing - Mr Gerard Way - is an escaped schizophrenic and has therefore been taken to a facility where he will recieve the proper care and attention he needs." I stared at the man, and stuttered, "Wh-where is he?" The officer frowned. "Mr Way is a very serious case, sir, and I'm afraid his situation can only be revealed to immediate family members. Now, if you'll excuse me.." before I could say another word he was in his cruiser and pulling away. I gaped  after him, the quick conversation spinning around my head impossibly. That was it? They'd just... walked in and dragged him off? I knew Gerard, and I knew he wouldn't have gone silently, so just what had they done? Anger, fear, hate and a multitude of other negative emotions came swirling through me like a tidal wave.  How dare they? How dare they take an innocent man against his will?  How dare they take Gerard away from me? I punched the wall violently, scratching my knuckles a little. I noticed a woman passing by me glance at me warily, and tug her child's hand to steer him closee to her body. My scowl deepened. Hissing in frustration, I unlocked my door and stepped in to the house, sinking down onto the sofa tiredly. I rubbed my eyes roughly, and kept my hands buried into my face. I had no idea what to do. Already, I missed him. Glancing up, I noticed his precious notebook sat on the arm of the sofa. After a little thought, I picked it up and flicked it open. I'd intended just to flick through, but closer inspection made me stop and read, intently. The words were mesmerizing. They appeared to be song lyrics - he'd praised mine, but this blew my work out of the water. The songs were deep, emotional, they touched my soul. Each song had its meaning, a story, a reason behind it, and I couldnt stop reading. Some bought tears to my eyes, others caused a smile to grace my lips. One line in particular stood out to me, and I read it out loud. "When I'm here no longer, you mist be stronger..." It felt like he'd written that just for me, for this moment. I finished reading them with amazement bouncing through my skull. I set the book down gently, wondering if Gerard would ever get it back. Sighing now, I got up and headed for the kitchen for some water. And got the shock of my life. The table was said with two places facing each other, each  holding a plate of delicious-looking lasagna. In the centre of the table were the candles that had sat in my drawer untouched for months. They'd burnt down, clearly having been lit for a while, reduced to less than half their original size. Teamed with the fading sunlight, they gently lit the roon to give it a wonderfully romantic atmosphere. I looked around to see the kitchen spotless - cleaner than I left it, and that's saying something - with dishes and utensils sat sparkling on the drainer. It was obvious Gerard had cooked the food himself, and considering his hatred for cooking that was a huge gesture all on its own. I collapsed into a chair, overwhelmed, with tears running down my cheeks. Beside the chair, I noticed, was something else. A parcel, wrapped in layers of black and grey tissue paper and tied with a scarlet ribbon. I gingerly picked it up, and read the small card attached. It read simply "For Frank, my glowing miracle of light in an ever-dark existence". I opened it carefully, and gasped. A canvas, holding the most beautiful painting I had ever seen. It was of me, but I had never looked so fantastic before. I glowed, as if my body literally emitted light. The background was a dark, ominous mess of swirls and streaks and... red eyes? But all of that was held back, as if the glow from my own form pushed it back and conquered it. I began to outright sob as I stared at the masterpiece. "Gerard..." I whispered into the darkly-lit kitchen. "I will be stronger. I will save you."

Notes

Oh God I'm crying I'm so sorry please forgive me I just urghhhhhh. I wasn't even gonna update this today - I was meant to work on my other story - but this was just bouncing around my head and I had to. Back to Gerard next chapter. Paranoia Violence out xø