“Oh, hey loser.” Mikey greeted me as rudely as possible when I walked in the front door. He was sitting on the couch with the tv on and was wearing the same clothes he had on when I last saw him.

“I wouldn’t test your luck bud, I covered your ass up not too long ago.” I gave him a serious look. I wasn’t in the mood for someone like him to kill my happy mood.

“What do you mean, cover my ass?” he knew exactly what I was talking about, and he felt small so he stood up to be “more intimidating”. On his neck I could see a small little welt that looked like a hickey.

“How was your night last night, you know, with that girl? Did the whore satisfy your little horny package enough?” I got up in his face a little and smiled.

“Hey! She is actually not like other girls. She is quite nice and for your information, we only talked, not a single touch besides a hug goodbye. AND FOR YOUR INFORMATION HER NAME IS CRYSTAL NOT WHORE!” Woah he was getting mad but because I was being stupid me, I just kept pestering him.

“Oh really, try telling mom that when she’s that ‘bruise’ on your neck. And for YOUR INFORMATION, just because she has a name, doesn’t change the fact that she’s still a whore.” What the hell was I doing. Mikey could annihilate me if he wanted too, but for some reason, I just kept pushing it. He threw his arms up in the air and screamed.

“You are such a horrible brother, you know that! Never have we once liked each other. Dad was right about you! You’re just a worthless piece of shit who will never be any good in this life!” And that’s when I snapped.

“How dare you bring dad into this! We both know very well that-”

“What that he didn’t love you and I was the favorite son. Here’s the newsflash, but you were a disappointment for a first son! Your lucky mom was there to save your butt.”

“DAD HATED ALL OF US MIKEY! YOU KNOW THAT!” I screamed. I knew that my dad really did love Mikey, only because he was a normal son. I hated admitting it.

“Your so pathetic! When are you going to accept the truth that you're the reason mom and dad got divorced.” I had enough. He killed my happiness and I was boiling over with pure anger. I raised my fist up in the air and was ready to swing it straight into my little brothers face.

“What the fuck is going on!?” my mom screamed as she pushed me away from Mikey separating us. I put my fist down and breathed heavily.

“Gerard started it! He pulled up dad and I tri-” Mikey started trying to cover himself.

“Mikey, shut up. I don’t want to hear another word from you right now, and if I hear as much as a peep, you will be grounded for a month! Gerard, please explain to me what the hell is all this.” I pushed my hair back from my face and glared at both of them.

“Nothing. Just a simple brotherly tussle is all. It’s solved now though, so don’t worry about it.” I turned and strutted away from them.

“Gerard Arthur Way, you will not walk away! Get your sassy ass over here right now!” she screamed.

“Or what, you’ll ground me! See how much I care!” I screamed back. I turned away and slammed my bedroom door so hard it even scared me a little. I double locked it and raged down the stairs. I always wanted to be a good big brother and have a good relationship with Mikey, but it never ever ended up working out, no matter how hard I tried. I sat on my bed and laid down. I felt tears come down my face, so I decided I would just let it all out. I buried my face in my pillow and drenched it with the salty liquid. I turned to face the wall after my eyes could no longer produce tears, and I looked at my drawing of Frank. I missed him. I wanted to see him and I knew he was the only person that I would be able to count on. But I couldn’t bug him now. He was at home dealing with his own problems that were probably much worse than mine. So I decided I would wait till tomorrow when I would see him at school. I got up and brushed my teeth and put on my pajamas and climbed in bed. There was no way in hell was I going to go to classes tomorrow.

I woke up with my eyes covered in a crusty residue from my crying episode. I hopped in the shower and got dressed in my “I don’t give a fuck” clothes. I took a deep breath before I went upstairs to face my stupid brother. I unlocked the two locks and grabbed my backpack and went straight to the kitchen. Both my brother and my mom were in there. I ignored them completely. I grabbed an apple and and walked out the door. My mom had started to say something but I didn't catch it. I walked to school and ate my apple violently. I got to school and instead of going through the front doors, I walked around the outside to the usual meeting place. It was still pretty early because no one was there. I sat on the ledge of the wall and lit a cigarette while I waited for everyone first. Bob was the first to show up.

"Hey, got a cigarette to spare?" He asked me. I nodded and gave him one. Not long after Ray showed up and instantly started debating with Bob. I kept waiting for Frank, I almost felt worried. The bell rang and Ray and Bob left for class. I waited about five minutes and there Frank was. He looked just as upset as I did.

"What are you doing here?" He asked as he sat next to me.

“There’s no way in hell that I’m going to school today.” I said blankly. He nodded and handed me a cigarette. What I really wanted was to hug him and hold his hands, but I knew that that wasn’t going to happen here. I took the cigarette and he lit it for me.

“Well, we can leave here all together if you want.” he gave me a look. I knew he was talking about Ethan’s.

“I don’t have my truck.” I said.

“We won’t we need it.” he replied. It sort of confused me, but again, Ashland wasn’t very big. We got up and grabbed our stuff and started walking. Frank decided we would take a way that that had no people. Once the school was out of sight and we are on the trail, Frank grabbed my hand and walked closer to me. Finally my nerves settled and I could finally relax a bit. It took us about twenty minutes of walking till we were finally off the trail and were back in the public, which meant I had to let go of Frank’s hand. That was very difficult at that moment. We walked another ten minutes in the town before we finally got to the staircase. It was hazy and smelt of booze as always when we walked in, but it didn’t bother me as much this time. We sat at our normal stools at the bar. Ethan saw us come in.

“Well look who decided to ditch early today, why am I not surprised?” Ethan smiled and laughed and obviously lightened the mood.

“Well, I am Frank Iero.” Ethan shook his head and got us some drinks.

“Well, let me know if you need anything.” he said and went to tend to his actual customers. Frank took a sip and then turned towards me. I just cupped my hands around my glass and stared into it.

“Now, what seems to be bothering you today Mr. Way.” he asked. Ugh, I was not fond of my last name at the moment.

“Oh, you know, my brother was just being a dick. He always has.” I said.

“What’d he do?” I rolled my eyes.

“Where do I even begin. All I did was tell him I covered for him and then all of a sudden he had to remind me how worthless I am and rub it in my face how my dad loved him more than me and how much of a disappointment I am.” I guess I didn’t realize it, but I started to realize how much that all hurt. I took a sip of my drink and tried not to start crying. Frank looked down.

“That’s not cool,” I felt a tear fall down my cheek and he saw it. I didn’t want him to see it, I guess I was a little embarrassed, “You’re not worthless.”

“Oh but I really am. No matter how much I want to deny it, he’s right.” I brushed my tear away and sniffed a bit.

“Well, I disagree with your brother. You are much better than you think.” He perked up a bit and just him telling me that made me feel better.

“Thanks.” I said. I looked at him.

“Well, it’s not just my opinion. It’s a fact.” he raised his chin up a little and tried to look very superior.

“Well, what about you Frank, what’s making you all down.” he put his chin back down and turned pale.

“Nothing. I just didn’t sleep very well. And my dad wasn’t very happy that I had ditched him. But he’s going out of town to go spend some time with his girlfriend in Hornbrook.”

“So he just straight up left you?” I asked.

“Yeah, he does it a lot. She’s kind of a whore. She works at a strip club if that says anything. He really just uses her for a good time.” he took a sip of his drink and stared off. We sat in an awkward silence for awhile, sipping and staring, sipping and staring, sipping and staring. After a while, I think Ethan noticed how quiet we were, so he came over.

“Does a cat got your tongues? Awfully quiet Iero, you okay?” he leaned against the counter and lit a cigarette.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” he said bluntly.

“I saw your dad leaving town this morning. Is he going down to get busy with Shelly.” he nodded and sipped. Then he laughed all of a sudden. Ethan glanced at me and we gave each other confusing looks.

“Well at least she’s getting something.” Both Ethan and I cracked up, and IT WASN'T EVEN THAT FUNNY! The mood started to lighten up a bit again.

“Well, do you guys want another round our are you good?” Ethan asked. Frank looked down at his cup.

“You know, I’m actually okay for right now. Thanks though Ethan.” I nodded in agreement and Ethan walked away.

“Hey Gee, do you wanna go somewhere really cool? Well I guess not that cool, but it’s a good place to be alone.”

“Sure,” I replied, “Sounds good to me.”

“K, lets go.” he put down a ten dollar bill on the table and got off the stool. I followed him.

“Hey you crazy kids! Go cause some trouble out there for me, okay?” Ethan yelled out to us as we were leaving.

“You can count on us!” Frank yelled back and waved. Even though it was cloudy once again, the gray light was quite painful as we emerged from the ground.

So this place is all the way at the end of the town, but if we stop at my house, I can grab some skateboards. You do know how to skateboard right?” Frank seemed pretty excited to take me to where ever we were going.

“yeah, I’m alright.” I replied.

“Good. Let’s go.” We started walking to his house, which turned more into speed walking. I was pretty out of breath when we got to his house.

“You don’t have to come in if you don’t want to.” he said.

“No, I’ll come in.” he nodded and opened the door. It was dark and cold when I walked inside. Frank’s house was really beat down compared to mine. He turned on an old looking lamp when we got in. Holy hell. Talk about alcoholism. In the kitchen, there were dirty dishes everywhere and empty beer bottles everywhere along with some broken glass on the floor. The living room had an old armchair and had holes all over it. A dirty ashtray sat next to the chair and was filled with cigarettes.

“They’re in the back, I’ll be right back.” I nodded. he disappeared around the corner of the stairs and I heard a door shut. I looked around a little bit more, but I didn’t move. There was not a single beam of natural light coming into this house. Frank came back about a minute later with to battered skateboards. To be honest, I hadn’t skateboarded since middle school. He handed me the better looking one and led me out the door.

“Just follow me. I won’t go too fast.” he said. He looked so happy all of a sudden. We started to skateboard down the street . At first I was a little wobbly and Frank laughed at me, but soon I got the hang of it and we cruised right along. After about a half hour of racing down streets and joking around, with Frank occasionally doing a trick or two, we reached a park at the end of a road called Glenview. It was hidden in a thick group of trees. It had a swing set, and an old slide. It looked like it had been abandoned for years and years.

“Welcome, to my secret hiding spot. I have brought absolutely no one here, so consider yourself lucky. Also, don’t tell anyone.” he said and nudged me.

“Ha, well I have no one to tell except you anyway. How did you find this place?” I put the skateboard and sort of walked around.

“When I was younger I decided to run away, so I took my bike and rode down that street, thinking it would take me to Los Angeles or something, but instead, it just ended, so I walked through the trees and I just stumbled upon it. I guess it was just my luck or something. I’ve been coming here whenever I can escape ever since.” he smiled.

“And you ended up not running away, I see.” I said and turned towards him, and put a flirty tone to my voice. He giggled.

“Yeah, well my mom was the only reason that I stayed. I spent a lot of my childhood. I still do.” He came closer to me and held my hand.

“Well, I’m honored that you brought me to your secret hideout.” We both smiled at each other.

“You’re the only person I ever considered, so yes, you should feel very honored.” he giggled and let go of my hand at went to go sit on the swing. I followed him and sat next to him on the other swing. He grabbed my hand again and we swung holding hands. It was so generic, but I liked it. Hours went by, and we kept hanging out at the park. Talking, swinging, laughing, smoking cigarettes, it was a good time. It started to get dark and we were laying in the grass.

“God, I don’t want to go home.” I sighed. Frank turned his head towards me.

“Neither do I.” he replied. He shifted his whole body towards me. I sat up and stretched out.

“I don’t even know how to get home.” I laughed at myself and leaned back. Frank kept laying in the grass staring up at the sky that slowly started to twinkle with stars.

“What are you going to do all by yourself at home?” I asked. He just shrugged.

“Probably clean it up a bit. Maybe watch some horror movie. Play some music.” I nodded and started to push myself up off the ground but Franks hand met mine and stopped me from getting up.

“Gee...” he said.

“Yeah?” I turned around around and looked him. He closed his eyes, still laying in the grass.

“Can you... Can you stay. With me, at my house. Just for tonight, I swear,” his voice shook a little and he sat up, “Please?” I couldn’t say no to him. I nodded and he nodded back, smiling this time. I got up and pulled me with and we went back to his house. We avoided my street as much as possible, so my mom wouldn’t catch me. We got to his house and he grabbed my hand and led me inside. It was just as gross when we walked inside. He led me down the hall and put the skateboards in his garage that was completely empty. Then he led me upstairs and to his bedroom door. He reached down into his pocket and grabbed a small key and unlocked his bedroom. I thought that it was very strange, but I didn’t question it. He locked the door behind him and put the key on the dresser. Frank’s room was completely different from the rest of the house. It was neat and tidy, and smelled really good. There were posters of different bands on his wall, but they were straight and didn’t look cluttered.

“Let’s just say I’m a bit of neat freak.” he said as he brushed his arm.

“I’m not surprised.” I said and I smiled at him. I sat on his bed and looked at all the posters. He sat next to me and rested leaned against me.

“Thanks for staying with me tonight.”

“I’ll stay as long as you want me to.” I replied. Our faces were only about six inches apart, and we were slowly getting closer. I softly laid my lips on his. They were so gentle and warm. He laced his fingers through my hair and I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him closer. His tongue brushed against my lips and I granted him permission. Soon we were intertwined in each other. He pulled me down on top of him and I pulled off his shirt, shortly admiring his tattoos that I’ve been dying to see. I pulled off my own shirt and we were again, interlocked. I felt his hands go down to my waist and pulling on my belt buckle. He rolled me over and put me on the bottom. He pulled my pants off we started to kiss even harder and more intensely. It was a whole new feeling. He moved from my lips down to my neck and I let out a long breath. He looked up at me and grinned widely, and went back to my lips. I felt my way down to his pants and pulled them off. He rolled to his side, carrying me with him and wrapped his arms around my neck. We kept rolling and I was again on top. I worked my way down to his waist again as he tugged my head as close as he could to his. I found the hem of his boxers and slipped my fingers under them. I kept them there for awhile, just feeling the warmth of his hips on the palms of my hands. I felt Frank’s hands leave my neck and onto my wrists. He slowly pulled away from my lips and I heard him breathe out.

“I’m sorry.” he looked so sad. All I could do was smile which confused him even more. I pulled my hands up and brushed his hair out of his face.

“It’s okay,” I whispered and I kissed the top of his nose, “I love you just the same.” He smiled back and I turned to my side. He nuzzled into my chest and I wrapped my arms around him.

“I love you too.” We laid there. Frank fell asleep before me. I looked around the room and on his night stand I saw a broken picture frame of a woman with a small child that looked like Frank. I raised my head just a little to get a better look without waking Frank. I assumed it was his mom. I put my head back down and Looked down at Frank. I bet he missed her. In the photo he looks so happy and alive. I kissed him softly and laid my head on the pillow and closed my eyes.

Notes

GOD DAYUM I TRICKED YOU AGAIN! So last minute with the whole smutty scene I kind of freaked out because I didn't know what to do but DONT WORRY, I will get it someday. My friend is "teaching" me how to write good smut, because lets face it, I don't want it to be disappointing.

And again, it is super duper long but whatever it was fun and pretty eventful I must say.
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT!!!! Let me know how it is :) Can't wait to get the next chapter up.

P.S I finished my last final today so I get to write all I want... (Except I won't be able to upload next week, I have to go down to the south and visit my 91 year old great grandma in Tennesse and south carolina)
P.S.S sorry for the long note.... :/