You Can Cry All You Want To, I Don't Care

I drop to my knees beside Mikey and lean in to wrap my arms around him but before I can even touch him he launches himself into my chest and clings to me as he sobs and I feel my own tears start to fall. We hold each other as we cry for what seems like hours, only breaking apart when I feel warm calloused fingers grip my arm and I turn my head to see Frank kneeling behind me, his hair messed up and his eyes red and swollen from sleep. "Frankie" I sob out as I turn and launch myself into his arms and he gently rubs my back as he says "Shh baby it's alright." I clench the back of his shirt in my fists as I bury my face in his neck and completely break down, slumping my whole body against his as my sobs turn hysterical and I can't breathe anymore. I start to panic from the lack of oxygen and I vaguely register Franks gentle voice telling me to calm down but it sounds far away and the room slowly dims into blackness.

When I wake up again I'm still in Mikey's room, laying in Pete's bed wrapped up in Franks arms. I glance over and see Mikey in the same position on his bed, Pete's whole body wrapped around him as he sleeps, occasional whimpers coming from him as he twitches in his sleep. Franks hands start stroking through my hair and I press further into his chest, wishing it was all a dream. "Frankie" I croak out and he whispers "Shh, it's alright I've got you." We lay in silence for a while until Mikey starts screaming and I push out of Franks arms, running across the room to kneel beside Mikey's bed, gently shaking him awake as Pete holds him close. His eyes flutter open and he launches himself at me again, half sliding off the bed in an attempt to cuddle me. "Shhh, Mikes it's alright" I tell him, trying to hold it together and when we pull apart there's a knock at the door. Frank gets up to answer it and when he opens the door I see our dad standing there, looking completely destroyed. "Dad" I choke out and he rushes across the room, sinking to the floor and pulling me
and Mikey into his arms. "Boys I'm so sorry" he tells us as he starts to cry and I sniffle as I lean into this very rare display of affection from him. When we pull apart we all stand up and dad says "Pack your stuff boys, you're coming home for a while" and I immediately turn to Frank. "Frankie...I..." "It's alright babe, you need some time home." I rush over and press myself against him as he wraps his arms around me and he whispers in my ear "It's alright baby I promise, I'll still be here when you come back and I'll find a way to come for the funeral ok? You can call me any time you like." "No, need you with me" I sob out and he sighs and says "Babe, I don't think that's the best idea right now, you guys need family time but I'll come see you, I promise." I pull out of his arms and shove him away from me. "Fine" I snap, running from the room and I hear Pete say "Give him a minute dude." I run downstairs and pack my stuff that I want to take home, Mikey and dad showing up at the door a few minutes later. I grab my bag and walk out with them, Pete and Frank following us and when we get to the car park dad takes our bags and loads them into his car while Frank rushes at me and picks me up, his hands wrapped around me as I wrap my legs around his waist, my face buried in his neck. "I love you so so much baby and I'm so sorry this happened. I'm here for anything you need, anything at all ok, I'm only a phone call away and I promise any chance I get I will find a way to come see you" he whispers in my ear and I start to cry again as I say "I can't do this without you Frankie." "You can baby, you're incredible and brave and strong and I know you can do this babe." I take a few deep calming breaths before pulling out of his neck and I seal my lips to his, kissing him for the last time in I don't know how long. When we finally pull apart I look over to see Mikey and Pete standing infront of each other, their hands linked together and their foreheads pressed together, staring into each other's eyes as Pete whispers to Mikey and he nods slightly before tilting his head up and sealing his lips to Pete's. I turn back to look at Frank, raising my eyebrows at him and he just smiles and leans in for another peck before putting me down and we cuddle before I pull myself away and say "I'll call you baby." "I look forward to it" he tells me and I take a step towards the car, Mikey pulling away from Pete and Pete reaches out and grabs me, pulling me in for a hug as he softly says "I'm so sorry Gee." "Thanks Pete" I tell him as we pull apart and I follow Mikey into the back seat, waving and blowing a kiss to Frank out the window as we drive off. We travel in silence for about twenty minutes, almost home when I turn to Mikey and say "So..." "It happened last night, shut up" and I smirk a little at him and he rolls his eyes before breaking out in a small smile and he leans over to rest his head on my shoulder, our hands linking together as we offer each other silent support, the house coming into view.

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