Honey, this Mirror Ain't Big Enough for the Two of Us.

Chapter 16- Frank

With a small amount of the hospital’s layout knowledge and a large miracle, I manage to both keep hold of Gerard’s clammy hand and find the showers without looking for all the world like a lost puppy sure to attract every overly concerned nurse’s attention. I glance around the corner with the hope of finding the bathroom and the shower stalls at the far end of it unoccupied, but no such luck. One shower stall in the corner has a spray of water trickling down and bouncing off the bather, but it’s not like getting Gerard cleaned can exactly wait.
I make to go to the farthest stall from the entrance, but Gerard tugs my arm sharply as we’re about to pass the third stall. I raise my eyebrows at him, but he just jerks his head toward the stall we’re in front of limply. Shrugging, I let him lead me in.
He silently strips his shirt off and my eyes flicker over the bare expanse of skin that’s just lightly sprinkled with freckles. He clears his throat quietly and I start out of the slight reviere, smiling apologetically. A mirroring smile flits over his face and is gone as quickly, and I’m immediately sobered by the situation we’re in. I pull my shirt off and toss it to the outside of the stall, loosening my belt and stripping fully nude, waiting for him to do the same. He does so silently and stepping forward, I tilt his head down very gently with pale and shaky fingers, making sure he isn’t startled or feels further violated. My lips ghost over his hair covered forehead in a breath-like kiss. His eyes close and he exhales, quietly. Letting go of the past. I move a hand to the faucet and let the warm water fall on us in rivulets.
We stand there for what is quite possibly too long, me watching gerard and him watching his feet. Time passes with the water’s flow, and I reach for the soap, knowing that he just needs my presence and silence is the best. I wash my hair, kneading the drenched dark locks with the regulation baby shampoo we have in this shithole. After a bit I decide that is enough of a shower and turn back to Gerard. He visibly shrinks into himself, rubbing the back of his neck. It pains me to see that and instead of trying to clean him or embrace him I just slowly offer him the soap, open palmed and as non threatening as I can be. He takes it slowly and begins washing his shaggy black hair, eyes trained on the water swirling down the drain in the floor. I curse that...that rapist Bert again, promising myself that this will never happen again.
I feel Gerard’s hand lightly tap my shoulder blade and I turn slowly to his arms resting lightly on my shoulders, a thumb stroking shakily on my neck. Relieved he actually wants to confide in me, I tilt his chin up to look into his eyes. His already bloodshot eyes water and I stand on tiptoes to touch his forehead with mine. Softly, hesitantly, I bring my hands up to his face and brush the limp and dripping hair out of his face, fully gazing into those hazel irises. He cracks, letting out a ragged sob as he caves against me and his head hits my shoulder. I hold him up by the hips and let him shudder, knowing he just needs to cry.
As I bring a hand up to touch lightly at his back, a thought flits through my mind. We need to get out of here, and soon. It slips out of my chapped lips before I realize it, and I feel him nod slightly against my shoulder, clutching to my middle like he’s drowning and I’m both his anchor and lifesaver. I hold him tighter and glance up to the sky, truly praying for the first time in my life, that we can make it out of this in one piece.

Notes

Hi. It's been awhile, but I'm back.
A lot has happened. Please feel free to yell at me for such an absence.
I have a girlfriend now, we've been together almost 3 months.
This story will only have a few more chapters, we're nearing the end.
I love you guys.