GRAYVERSE

Smoke billows up through the air, filling the Jersey sky with a familiar mix of grays that curl together, becoming pearly and washed out amongst the dark storm clouds. Rain begins to fall, and it smashes hard against the tiles nailed onto the roof. The ground quickly becomes water beaten and the sun splashed streets are cold and drenched. Under the raging weather, Gerard sits in his house and stares poetically out of his window. His eyes are near black, and his gaze is uncentered and has no focus to it as he pulls another drag from his cigarette.

Once again, Gerard is thinking.

It's the same thought that has been stuck in his head since day one. It's the same question that plagues his mind, and leaves him with nothing else to think about when he is not occupied. Sometimes he tries to get rid of it, by trying to draw or listening to music. He'll even clean his room to cloud his mind, or he'll mindlessly play video games and drink coffee.

Does he want to know about Frank's past?

He has no idea. Something - he can't tell what - terrifies him about the concept of finding out. He knows he's probably over-reacting, but it sits inside of him, eating away at his flesh. Of course he's curious; but he's scared. So, he just tries to push it from his mind.

With a sigh, he tries to conclude what he thinks as he stares into the rain. He simply tells himself that he has more important things to be worrying about, and he climbs from his seat. The cigarette he'd been smoking had dropped it's last ashes about fifteen minutes ago, but the tab end is still held in place by his fingers. As he walks in the direction of the bathroom, he flicks it into a random pile of junk.

He starts with washing his face. Something about the rush of cold water against his skin make him feel cleansed; relaxed. Once any dirt has been scrubbed from his flesh, he lifts his head and stares in the mirror for a few moments. It's only after a good four seconds that he notices Frank stood behind him. "Gerard."

"Crap, Frank! What the fuck, man?" Gerard turns at lightning speed, and finds himself almost nose to nose with the strange boy. They're so close together that Gerard has to lean backwards into the basin, trying not to fall on top of him.

Frank does the stupid head tilt thing, where his face fills up with confusion. "Have I done something wrong?" he asks, completely and utterly oblivious to how his pelvis is more or less joined to Gerard's right now.

One gulp and a quick glance to Frank's lips, then Gerard pushes him away. "Don't start humping me in my bathroom, okay? That's not right," he growls, and Frank notices that he certainly did do something wrong.

He looks guilty. "I'm... I'm sorry. Although I have no intention of grinding myself against you in your own home-" a quick pause, as if Frank has to think for a moment. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Good idea."

It's been nearly a week since Frank had popped into Gerard's life, and he'd been staying at his house for three days now. It had been a pain, mainly because the kid wouldn't eat anything with meat in it. Gerard had to feed him somehow, but all he had to give was granola bars and sliced bread. Not only was food a problem, but so was showering and tying his fucking shoe laces. Frank is a mess of a teenager, and Gerard is the one who has been left to pick up all the pieces and glue him back together again.

Frank would also barely sleep. He'd sit up in the makeshift bed Gerard had made for him, and do nothing for hours. It's only when it gets to around 3 or 4 AM that he'll pass out, but then he'll be awake again early the next day. "That's fucking creepy," Gerard had told him.

Now it's Wednesday, and Gerard's mother is due back tomorrow evening. The two boys were left alone in the house most of the time, as Mikey had decided he'd be staying at Alicia's. He'd only turn up for ten minutes at a time, picking up some DVD's or something that he wanted to show his girlfriend. The house was quiet most of the time, other than when Gerard got frustrated or shouted at Frank. After yelling, he'd always feel guilt stab him in the chest, and he'd quickly apologize.

If Ray was here, he'd be ripping hard on Gerard for being whipped.

Yet, Gerard's relationship with Frank hardly consists of anything sexual. Maybe Gerard's thoughts had turned slightly lustful at moments - but nature had literally told him that Frank is his soul mate. He can't help it, he just gets caught up in moments. The lingering eye contact and gazing at Frank's lips makes Gerard cringe. Maybe it's there, and the chemistry is alive, but he doesn't want it. He doubts that Frank does either, and a small piece of disappointment finds itself at Gerard's feet as he considers the possibility.

At three o'clock, Mikey returns home.

Gerard and Frank are in the living room when he enters, and neither of them have any time to hide. It's a messy scene of harshly whispered curses and barely audible voices. Gerard tries to harbor Frank downstairs, aware that his brother is right outside the door. "Fuck," he hisses. "Fuck, fuck. Fuck. He's gonna cut my balls off if he finds out you're here." Gerard glances down at Frank, unsure of what to do.

"I'll introduce myself," Frank then informs him, leaving Gerard feeling fucked over.

He reaches to stop the younger boy, but it's too late. "Goddammit, Frank."

Frank pulls open the door and slips into the hallway, where Mikey can be heard talking to his girlfriend over the phone. Gerard is still in the living room, digging his nails into the carpet with anger. Before Frank can let anything too ridiculous happen, Gerard shoots up and squeezes through the crack of the ajar door. Frank approaches an unsuspecting Mikey, who hasn't noticed the trespasser just yet. However, when Frank gently rests a hand on Mikey's shoulder, he more or less craps himself.

"Hello, Michael," Frank greets him earnestly, too close, but not as close as he'd been with Gerard.

The younger Way brother's face drains white, and he stares into Frank's eyes as if he's seeing a ghost. Then, all of a sudden, his eyes flick over to Gerard. Something changes then, and his face relaxes. "Who the fuck are you?" he frowns, looking back to Frank. Gerard feels unsure of what to do with himself, so he leans against the wall and waits for Frank to get his dumb-ass introduction over with.

The raven haired boy purses his lips, his eyes big and wide as he soul-stares straight into Mikey. "I am Frank. Just Frank - I have no last name. You may call me Frank."

Gerard curses again, and steps forward to intervene. "Look, Mikes. I can expla-"

"You fucking kidnapped him?" Mikey half-yells, glaring at his brother in a mixture of horror and disappointment. "Why would you kidnap a crazy person? Gerard, what the fuck?"

A growl. "He's not crazy, you ass."

"He got his name from Donnie Darko!"

"Look, Mi-"

Frank closes his eyes briefly, then shakes his head. "I am your brother's keeper," he suddenly announces, turning back to Mikey - who's face is a rainbow of negative emotions right now. "And I am also his friend. You should stop treating him like an ass-" a tiny smirk curls in the corner of Frank's lip at the use of a swear. "And listen to his explanation."

Mikey lets a sarcastic huff of amusement fall from his lips. Gerard is blushing, trying not to smile at Frank's first step towards insulting someone.

"This is ridiculous," Mikey tells them, walking toward his brother. His arms are open at his sides, a gesture of his bitchy mood. "Do you realize how much shit you could get into for kidnapping someone from a fucking hospital?"

Gerard sighs and tries to look his brother in the eye. Frank in the background is frowning, and moves closer as he opens his mouth to talk. Again, his eyes are so sincere as he looks at the brown haired boy. "Mikey, Gerard will most likely be locked in jail. There would be no 'shit' involved. Not unless his cell mate decided to pass bowel movement over him," he explains his deduction, and Mikey is about to respond when he trades a quick look with Gerard. He decides to keep his mouth shut and glares back at his brother.

"Mom is home tomorrow."

"I know."

"What are you going to do with him?"

"Keep him in the basement?"

Mikey stamps his foot impatiently, pulling a face of pain. "Gee, be rational. For once in your life, please."

"I'm sorry, Mikey," Gerard says, giving up. He turns to walk away. "I think he's cute - so I'll keep him. He has dimples."

Mikey also has a look of resignation on his face. "Fuck this," he grumbles, and begins heading toward the kitchen. "You have to get rid of him before Mom gets back."

A yell of "Whatever," from the basement, and Frank is left lingering in the hallway. He's been abandoned by Gerard and is unsure of whether or not Mikey likes him.

He gulps and moves to follow his friend's brother, and watches him start the coffee machine up. Frank is stood just behind him, practically breathing on his shoulder. At first, Mikey doesn't notice this. After a few minutes however, he suddenly freezes and whips around to meet Frank face to face. "Don't do that," he hisses and lifts a hand to push the smaller boy away.

Frank re-positions himself and moves backwards slightly. He holds Mikey's gaze. "Tell me about Gerard."

For a moment, Mikey gawks, frowning slightly. Frank's serious face tenses slightly more. "Well he's a stubborn, irrational, crazy son of a bitch," Mikey tells him. Frank nods, taking in the information as if he is scribbling down notes in the middle of class. After talking, Mikey lets out a sigh. "Look - why? Why do you wanna know?"

The youngest of the two tilts his head. "I already told you, I am his keeper. A guardian."

"That sounds really gay, Frank."

"I don't let myself become hindered by sexuality."

Something creeps onto Mikey's face as he lifts an eyebrow. "So you're into chicks and guys?"

He shakes his head. "I don't see the benefits of beastiality and I see no problem with being into a guy." He then pauses, letting himself think for a brief moment. "Although the women in your brother's magazines are also very beautiful."

Then, there is a knock at the door.

"I'll get it!" Gerard yells, and both boys in the kitchen can hear his heavy footsteps climbing up the stairs. Another impatient bang, followed up by a gruff male voice;

"This is the NJPD. Open up, sir."

Gerard freezes, just in Mikey's line of view. The brothers trade a soulful look, then look over to Frank. He's already made himself scarse.

"Yes?" Gerard cracks open the door. He sees two officers holding their badges up, and he instantly feels anxiety bubble in his stomach.

"We'd like to ask you some questions," the female of the two says, sounding irritated and angry. Her eyebrows are furrowed together deeply, making her look intimidating.

Her male counterpart gives Gerard a small smile. "It's about the amnesia patient at the hospital. Can we come in and just go over a few things with you?"

Nervously, Gerard looks back into the house. Mikey is still in the kitchen, watching intently. Frank is nowhere to be seen. He looks back to the officers. "Uh, yeah. Sure. Why not, come in. Mikey is making coffee." He tries to smile convincingly at them, and lets them come into the house.

They sit in the living room, where Gerard again tries to kick any dirty underwear under the couch. He feels uncomfortable, but waits for one of the officers to begin speaking.

"So, we're aware that you were one who hit the boy, and took him into the hospital. You were also the only visitor he had the next day, and you were also there on the day he disappeared." The male officer begins the questions. "Did he speak of anyone while you were with him? Someone he might be able to go to, or maybe an enemy?"

Gerard looks taken aback, and he doesn't know what to say. Fuck, he's not good at this. Talking to people was never a real skill for him. He only leaves the house to get drunk, after all. The officer waits patiently for him to gather his bearings. "Look, I... he never said anything about anyone. He doesn't even remember anything. He has amnesia-"

"Mr Way." The female doctor glares at him. "This boy's life is at risk. You've already put him in jeopardy, and you should be glad that you're not behind bars right now. If you know where the kid is; tell us. Now."

He gulps again. "I'm sorry. I don't know anything."

"Thank you for your time, Mr Way." The nicer officer stands up first, giving him a smile before gesturing for his partner to follow. Gerard walks them out, and once the door is shut, he sinks to the ground against it. "Fuck. Fuck. Fuck-" his breathing comes jagged, and he closes his eyes. Breathe.

"Gee?"

He looks up, his face white as a sheet to see Mikey. "I'm okay," he tells his brother. "Where's Frank?"

"In your room, I think." Mikey lowers a hand, and Gerard grasps it tight and is hauled to his feet. They both trail downstairs, and see Frank sat on the edge of Gerard's bed, curiously stroking the guitar in his lap. It's Gerard's beat up old acoustic - the one he had tried and failed to play years ago. Still, he's glad he didn't have to give it to Bert.

"Gerard!" Frank exclaims with a smile, catching his friend's eye. "Look - while you were busy attending to men in blue, I learned how to do something."

Mikey and Gerard both quickly glance at each other, as they always do. Gerard moves toward his bed. "Kick it man," he encourages Frank.

He frowns. "I'm going to kick it, I'm going to pla-"

A quick, rehearsed sigh. "It's a reference. Just - go ahead."

A smile brightens Frank's face once again, and Gerard feels his insides curl. He'd never smiled, not once until now. Then, he starts to play. At first, he starts slow and his fingers are slightly clumsy as they cover the fret board. After a calmer introduction, he starts picking at the strings, his hands a frenzy as the pumps out a recognizable Iron Maiden solo - acoustically.

"Dude, was that Ideas of March?" Mikey is gaping, eyes wide with shock. "That song is like... impossible. How did you - only Ray can - what?"

Frank looks incredibly happy with his new found talent, and Gerard claps a hand over his shoulder. "Impressive," he tells him, and his face brightens up even more. "Were you looking at my chord book?" Gerard notices a scruffy ring binder beside Frank, open at a tab of the song he'd just played.

"I found the tableture and noticed this string instrument underneath your pile of dirty underwear and black shirts." Frank looks up and informs him. "I enjoyed that - it was fun."

Mikey scoffs. "Looking though Gerard's underwear or playing guitar?"

Frank's expression is blank. "There was an interesting range in color and patten between each pair."

Rolling his eyes, Gerard pushes Mikey out of the room. As he's shoved through the door, Gerard mouths a 'we'll talk later', before locking him out and turning back to sit on his bed beside Frank. "Bon Jovi and Iron Maiden, huh. Just who the fuck are you...?"

The smaller boy sighs. "We've gone over this, Gerard - my name is Frank."

Gerard doesn't answer, only sits there trying to think. Who is this kid? Where is he from? His articulate posture and lack of knowledge are a strange combination that shouldn't mix - but it just makes him so... Frank. Another beaten down sigh, and Gerard tries not to think about it again.

Secretly, maybe he kind of believes that Frank is dangerous. He has no memory of his life, so who is to say he might not be a serial killer? What if he's an ex-convict?

But he takes another look at Frank, and finds his eyes jittering over his features. His innocent face and wide, curious eyes tell Gerard that he can't be anything bad. He continues to play guitar, settling for a slightly calmer Kansas riff, getting his timing slightly off as he follows another tab within the old chord book. Gerard's mother will be back tomorrow, and Gerard realizes then that Mikey is right. He needs to sort something out. He needs Frank to be safe, but he can't stay here.

Notes

idek anything about iron maiden so sorry if that was inacurrate

xofeb

whispers in ur ear pls vote bc this fic has loads of subs but no votes it makes me cry inside