Not happening!...(edited)

~time passes~

It was Frank's first day back to school. He was still a bit snuffly and his mum had insisted he take an entire man-size box of tissues with him in his ratty black back-pack...but at least he wasn't throwing his guts up anymore...bright side. He'd spent almost the whole week in his bed, wrapped up in blankets, eating soup and watching Dr. Who on Netflix...that David Tennant was cute. But now it was Friday and he was surprisingly excited to go back.

Today was the day he'd tell Gerard how he felt...he just hoped he hadn't left it too long.

Pulling his hoodie tighter around himself, trying to fend off the chilly October wind, Frank stepped through the gates and looked quickly around at all the teens. He was looking for one in particular and knowing that Gerard was likely being picked on right now, he knew he'd have to act fast. Frank had no idea how bad things had gone in his absence, but he was sure that everyone would've made the younger boy's life,a living Hell.

Catching a glimpse of raven-black hair, surrounded by a group of meathead jocks at the far side of the playground, Frank's heart skipped a beat and he set off at a run.

"GET OFF HIM!"

What?...that sounded like Ray. Frank skidded to a stop, his jaw dropping almost comically as he saw his fro-haired pal shoving jocks aside and pulling Gerard into his arms. No no no!...that was supposed to be him!...he was meant to be the one rubbing Gerard's back and...shit...kissing him.

Suddenly Frank couldn't breath and it had absolutely nothing to do with his bunged-up nose. How had this happened?...why hadn't he seen this coming? Eyes threatening to tear up, Frank turned and sprinted across the playground, then around the corner of the building before collapsing to his knees and puking his guts up in private. He'd lost him! He'd been an asshole to that beautiful boy for so long that he'd driven him into the arms of another.

Sobbing quietly in despair, Frank peered around the edge of the wall and watched as Ray slipped his arm around Gerard's waist, kissed his cheek and lead him inside. Gerard was smiling, and all of a sudden Frank just wanted to die

When Frank stumbled into first period, ten minutes late cause he was chucking up and hyperventilating in the boys' toilets, he promptly tripped over his own shoelace and face planted at his math teacher's feet. This earned him a dramatic eye roll from Mr. Doogan, and sniggers and howls of laughter from his classmates, all of which were now looking right at him. Frank felt tears threatening as his face flared red with embarrassment. Staring at the ground, not wanting eye contact with anyone, he dragged himself to his feet and slouched over to his regular seat at the back, dead centre.

Slumping on his chair, Frank thumped his head down on his desk and covered it with his arms. No way was he doing any work today.

After a few minutes of hiding in his own arms, it dawned on Frank that something was missing. Lifting his head and looking to his left, he realised that Ray wasn't in his usual spot next to him. When he gazed around the room, it only took him a second or two to figure out why. Ray, was sitting with Gerard

The fro-haired traitor had his arm around the younger boy's shoulders and a shit-eating grin on his face, as he held the boy against him.

Gerard was smiling shyly, but Frank couldn't help but notice that he looked a little uncomfortable, maybe even a bit scared? But why would he be scared of Ray?...that guy was 10 different kinds of soft, he probably even avoided stepping on ants and things, so why would anyone be afraid of him?

Frank watched, getting silently more upset by the minute as Ray placed his free hand on Gerard's skinny-jean clad thigh, and started to move it slowly up his leg. As Gerard's pretty eyes widened and his smile gave way to a look of horror, Frank heard a tiny fearful squeak escape his lips, then he was out of his seat and running from the room as if the hounds of Hell themselves were after him.

"MR. WAY!..."

Doogan shouted after the fleeing figure, though he got no response. Ray stood as if to give chase, but returned to his seat when he received a death-stare from the pissed off teacher. After a moment, the lesson resumed.

"As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted..."

He glanced icily at Ray. Frank felt a jolt of happiness when he saw his friend sink lower into his chair under those angry eyes.

"The Inverse functions are called the arcsine, arccosine, and arctangent, respectively. There are arithmetic relations between..."

At this point Frank zoned out. What the Hell use was trigonometry anyway?

Resting his head back on the desk and staring out the window, watching as the first few drops of rain hit the glass, Frank could think of nothing but his want...no, need, to go and find Gerard..to make sure he was ok.

The class seemed to drag on forever, but eventually the bell rang and everyone breathed a sigh of relief as they packed away their things and headed out of the room. Frank knew that he had next lesson, fucking history, with both Gerard and Ray...and was surprised to see Ray headed straight there, not even bothering to look for the sweet boy he'd apparently terrified the shit out of before.

Frowning, cause he thought Ray was better than that, Frank headed toward the boys' toilets...always the first place to look for anyone who's legged it out of class. Pushing the door open and stepping inside quietly, Frank knew he wasn't alone. Right at the back in the very last stall, he could hear soft, muffled crying. Swallowing deeply, he walked over to the stall door, and gently knocked.

"You ok in there?"

He asked quietly, as all noise from within ceased when he knocked. After a moment there was a small sniff, then a tiny voice whispered from inside the stall.

"I'm ok. Leave me alone."

That was definitely Gerard. Frank closed his eyes and tried to relax. He knew this wouldn't be easy, but with a door in between them he might be able to say what he needed to.

"Gerard...it's Frank..."

No reply, not that he was really expecting one.

"I...I know I've been a bastard to you, and I have no right to ask your forgiveness...but there's something I need you to know..."

Frank wasn't even sure if Gerard was listening to him, but he carried on regardless.

"I love you..."

Oh God, Frank thought, I've done it, no going back now.

"I have done for a long time, but I couldn't admit how I felt, not even to myself. I know you hate me for all I put you through, but it ends now...I'm gonna tell everyone the truth...I'm gonna tell them that I lied about you trying to touch me back then..."

Frank felt like he was going to puke again.

"I'm so, so sorry Gerard. You never did anything wrong and I was just a stupid, ignorant asshole..."

Tears slid down his cheeks as silence fell over the bathroom...just the *drip drip drip* of a leaky tap filled the air. Frank bit his lip and stared at his old red converse.

"I'm sorry..."

He whispered, placing the palm of his hand against the stall door.

"I'll leave now. You don't have to worry...I won't bother you again."

Sighing heavily and wiping at his wet eyes with the sleeve of his hoodie, Frank turned to go. As his hand reached for the door that lead back out to the now deserted hallway, there was a quiet click behind him...then a small voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Frankie?"

Breathing in a deep shuddery breath, Frank turned slowly around.

"Hi Gee."

He whispered softly, not daring to move or even smile...he didn't deserve to smile. Gerard fiddled with his sleeves, pulling them down over his hands, then took a step forward, eyes looking anywhere except for at the black haired boy in front of him.

"Did..."

He hesitated, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment. Frank held his breath.

"Did you mean that?"

His voice was so quiet that Frank almost didn't hear him...almost.

"Every word, Gee."

Frank murmured, a tiny spark of hope lighting in his heart. Gerard's face was pale as ever, but his eyes were red from crying and Frank just wanted to take him in his arms and make everything ok...but it was too soon.

Gerard took another cautious step.

"You...you love...me?"

He whimpered slightly, like he thought this could be a trick or a joke. Frank nodded, but seeing as Gerard still couldn't bring himself to look at him, he then answered verbally.

"Yeah...I do..."

He watched Gerard's every nervous move.

"More than I know how to say."

Gerard's eyes finally raised to meet Frank's. He swallowed back his fear and took one more step.

"I always loved you Frankie..."

He whispered.

"No matter what you did, I always loved you...I couldn't make myself stop..."

He chuckled darkly.

"Mikey thought I was mad..."

He looked at his feet.

"I probably am."

"Gee?..."

The younger boy looked up.

"Does this mean you...forgive me?"

The look of hope in Frank's big hazel eyes was almost too much for Gerard to take...but he held his gaze.

"I...I..."

Suddenly the door behind Frank opened.

"What the fuck's going on in here?"

Gerard shrunk back a step as Ray moved inside.

"We're just talkin'."

Frank muttered to the tall, curly haired teen. Ray stepped around Frank and over to Gerard's side.

"He didn't hurt you, did he?"

Ray whispered in the younger boy's ear. Gerard shook his head.

"No. L-like he said...we were just talking."

His body stiffened as Ray's hand wrapped around his waist, pulling him close. Ray didn't seem to notice.

"Sooo..."

Frank said slowly.

"I was just telling Gee that I'm not gonna do anything to him any more."

He kept his eyes fixed on Gerard's nervous face. Gerard stared at the ground.

"Really?!..."

Ray scoffed.

"What, you torture him for years and now all of a sudden you're gonna leave him alone?!..."

Frank nodded.

"I'll believe it when I see it, pal."

"Believe it..."

Frank muttered.

"Why are you so interested in what I do anyway?"

Ray grinned and squeezed Gerard a little tighter to him.

"Cause I'm his boyfriend, that's why."

Frank saw the look on Gerard's face turn from nervous, to darn-right terrified for an instant, then back again. Again, Ray didn't notice.

"Really?..."

Frank asked, trying to sound bored.

"Since when?"

Gerard appeared to be breathing a bit too heavily. Ray was oblivious.

"Beginning o' the week, when you were off sick. He got beat by some kids in the locker room..."

Ray left out the fact that they'd clearly raped the 14 year old. He didn't know that Gerard remembered, and he didn't want to tell him.

"It was pretty bad and I found him...I took him to hospital..."

Ray kissed the top of Gerard's head. Gerard flinched slightly.

"I asked him out when he woke up."

He finished proudly.

"Well congrats..."

Frank said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. A frown played across his face.

"Err Gee?...you ok?"

Ray finally turned to actually look at the boy by his side. Gerard was hyperventilating. How had Ray not noticed this? Ray froze...he was clueless as to what he should do. Frank on the other hand...

"Ok Gee..."

He began, stepping toward the panicking boy and gently taking his hand.

"You're ok. Just breathe with me...in...and out...in...and out..."

He carefully removed Gerard from Ray's side and lowered him to sit on the floor, kneeling in front of him and softly stroking the backs of Gee's knuckles with his fingertips.

"Come on sweetie, you're doing great...just breathe ok?..."

Gerard locked eyes with Frank and tried to slow his breaths down.

"In...and out...that's it..."

Gerard shivered slightly as he felt his heart rate returning to normal, and started to regain control of his breathing.

"That's it...well done...relax..."

Frank turned his attention to Ray, but not his eyes.

"Ray?"

"Uh, yeah?"

"Can you go get Gee a soda please?...Coke?..."

Ray frowned at being sent for the drink, instead of being able to stay with his boyfriend, but didn't argue and quickly left the room. Frank shot Gerard a bright smile.

"Better?..."

He asked. Gerard smiled weakly as he took a final shaky breath and relaxed, nodding minutely.

"Here..."

Frank pulled the younger boy gently into his lap. Gerard went willingly.

"Now, you wanna tell me what happened?..."

Gerard shook his head violently, his breath hitching in his throat as he buried his face into Frank's neck. Frank held him close.

"Ok...it's ok. You don't have to..."

Frank hushed the boy in his arms as he heard soft sobs close to his ear.

"Just relax baby."

Gerard's sobbing halted abruptly and his body stilled. Slowly, his head lifted up so their eyes met once more.

"Did you..."

He swallowed back his nerves.

"Did you call me...baby?"

Frank's eyes widened.

"Umm..."

Frank blushed scarlet, but held eye contact.

"Yeah, I did..."

He smiled softly.

"Is that ok?"

Gerard sniffed quietly, considering the question for a moment.

"It's ok..."

He whispered, shyly.

"I al-always w-wanted to be y-your...baby."

But a second later, fear flickered through his eyes as he worried again that this was just some trick...some elaborate ruse that Frank and Ray were in on together, that would end with him even more broken and humiliated than ever. Tears flooded his eyes as pessimistic thoughts drowned his fragile mind.

Frank saw the fear, but was unaware of the true reason for it.

"Baby? Aww, baby...please don't cry?..."

He hushed, pulling the younger boy tight into his chest and stroking his soft black hair.

"Shhh...come on Angel...tell me what's wrong...please?"

Gerard clung to Frank's shirt, unwilling to let go yet. Even if this was a trick, he could still enjoy these few blissful moments in the black-haired boy's arms, breathing in his warm scent of coffee and chocolate. He knew he shouldn't trust Frank...all the times he'd hurt him, insulted, degraded and beaten him...it was so likely that this was just a scam. But he couldn't help it. He wanted this to be real, and those two sides of his mind were tearing him apart to the point that he couldn't think straight any more.

Gerard was starting to hyperventilate again, and not even Frank's gentle words or stroking hands could calm him now.

The bathroom door swung open and Ray stepped inside.

"What the Hell?...what did you do to him?"

He barked, putting a small grocery bag in one of the sinks and advancing on the pair who were still sat on the floor. Frank looked up, shocked.

"I didn't do anything. We were talking. He started to panic again. I don't know what's wrong."

Frank looked miserable. Ray crouched down next to them and tried to pull Gerard to him.

"Come here babe, I got you..."

But the younger boy just held on tighter, burying himself in Frank's neck and whimpering pitifully. Frank even let go for a moment to show Ray that it wasn't him keeping Gerard where he was.

"What the fuck!? Gerard...let go now."

Ray said, sternly.

"I don't think he wants to."

Frank murmured, winding his arms back around the quivering boy and hugging him close. Ray stared at his friend and boyfriend, his eyes growing dark.

"Well he doesn't have a choice!"

Ray spat, grabbing the younger boy's arm and dragging him roughly toward him. Gerard yelped in fear as he lost his grip.

"FUCK Dude!..."

Frank yelled as Ray ripped the frightened boy away.

"You're hurting him!"

Frank had never seen Ray like this before.

"FUCK YOU!"

Ray shouted, suddenly kicking Frank in the chest and sending him sprawling across the grimy floor, and crashing headfirst into the wall. Then he hauled the terrified youngster out the door, kicking and screaming until a heavy fist collided with Gerard's stomach and he doubled over in pain, allowing himself to be picked up and carried away, sobbing weakly.

As Ray left the main school building, heading toward the disused science block at the back of the sports field, Frank lay groaning on the bathroom floor, trying to figure out just when Ray had turned into a complete psycho, and how the Hell he was going to get his Gerard back.

Mikey Way wasn't usually one for skipping class, but ever since the new boy, a kid from Illinois called Pete, had arrived at the school and quietly romanced him, he hadn't really had a problem with missing the odd Spanish or History class. And right now, his double Chemistry lesson was the furthest thing from his mind.

Hidden beneath the bleachers at the back edge of the football field, Mikey and Pete were getting up to far more than a pair of 13 and 14 year olds really should be, especially while they were still on school grounds. Mikey's pants were down around his thighs, while Pete's right hand was furiously jerking him off.

"That's it Mikey...let me hear ya, baby."

Pete encouraged as the younger boy panted and gasped towards his climax.

Just a few moments later, after Mikey had practically exploded all over Pete's hand and his own stomach, he was wrenched from his blissful comedown by the sounds of screaming and crying, and it was coming their way. Hurriedly doing up his flies, Mikey scrambled across the cold ground to join Pete as he peered out in between the seats of the bleachers. What he saw,made his blood boil with rage.

"What the..."

Before Pete could grab him to pull the angry teen back, Mikey had shot out from their hiding place and was charging toward the considerably bigger and older boy, as he carried a struggling and clearly frightened younger boy over his shoulder. Pete didn't know either of these boys but was aware that Mikey had a brother named Gerard...but seeing his new boyfriend suddenly attack the Junior with the big hair, knocking him to the ground and then start laying into him with as much force as his puny weight would allow, was quite a shocking sight for the confused teen.

Mikey was yelling at the older boy as his fists pounded into his face...the boy with the fro apparently too stunned to defend himself...though once he'd regained his wits, Pete was sure that the bigger teen could easily overcome his attacker, probably using weight advantage alone.

Looking to his right, Pete could see the frightened boy who had been dropped as Mikey barrelled into them, laying curled up in a ball on the ground, watching the currently one sided fight with terrified eyes. He presumed the boy was Gerard, and from Mikey's description, that the boy with the fro was Gerard's boyfriend, Ray.

Pete knew this fight likely wouldn't end well and was about to step in to either help his boyfriend, or pull him off of the older boy when Mikey suddenly stopped punching, grabbed the boy's shirtfront and yanked him up towards him, then hissed a warning in his face.

"If you ever go anywhere near me or Gerard again, I will kill you...understand?"

The speechless fro-haired boy simply nodded his head vigorously, and slumped onto his back as Mikey threw him back down and climbed off of his chest before hurrying to the dropped boy's side.

"Gee?...oh God...what did he do to you?..."

Pete watched from a distance, not wanting to scare Gerard more than he already was. Not getting an answer, Mikey started to check Gerard over for injuries.

"Are you hurt Gee?..."

Still no reply. Pete noticed another boy heading their way. He was slightly shorter than Pete, but he looked older. The boy looked somewhat worse for wear, with one hand wrapped around his ribs and the other holding what appeared to be a wad of tissues against the side of his head. As the boy approached, ignoring Pete's query regarding his condition and passing by the quietly groaning fro dude, sparing him only a cold look and a glob of phlegm to the face, Mikey looked up from his gentle ministrations and scowled at the newcomer.

"What the fuck do you want Iero?...this ain't the time!"

"I...I need to..."

The boy coughed violently and fell to his knees at their side, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

"Gee?...are you ok?"

Mikey looked lost, like this was the last thing he expected to hear come out of Iero's mouth...Pete understood that, after what he'd heard about Frank Iero. Mikey looked down at Gerard, still curled up in a ball but now with his head on Mikey's knee. Gerard's eyes were open and he was looking at Frank.

"I'm...I'm ok Frankie..."

He whispered out passed his split lip.

"You don't l-look so g-good though."

Frank grinned wide.

"I'm fine baby..."

Mikey looked like he was going to choke on his tongue at the cute nickname.

"As long as you're ok."

"Err...what's going on?"

Mikey questioned, looking between the two in awe.

Pete noted Ray the fro dude slinking away, but decided his boyfriend didn't need to know about that just now, as he seemed to have more important things to deal with at the moment. Looking back at the trio sat on the hard ground, Pete was just in time to see Gerard sit up with a small whimper, Frank shuffle forward toward him and then...Frank collapse face first on the floor.

"Frankie?..."

Gerard yelped, scrambling quickly to his side and rolling him onto his back.

"Frankie wake up."

Mikey still looked lost, but he realised Frank needed help, so he shook off his confusion and moved over to assist the other boy. Pete thought that Mikey had probably forgotten about him, what with everything that had happened and all, but he was mistaken.

"Pete?...babe, could you call your brother?..."

Mikey asked without even looking up.

"Ask him for a ride to the hospital?"

Pete grinned...Mikey called him "Babe"!

"Course baby."

Grabbing his cell from his jacket pocket, Pete dialled his older step-brother's number and walked a few feet away as he listened to it ring.

"Ok, now explain."

Mikey demanded of his panicking sibling. He wanted answers and he wanted them now. Gerard glanced up at him sheepishly. He knew Mikey would ask, and he really did deserve an explanation...but right now was not the time.

"I'll tell you everything Mikes...when we know that Frankie is ok."

Mikey accepted this, for now, and resumed taking care of the injured boy, now resting in his brother's arms. That had better be one Hell of an explanation!

Pete crouched down at Mikey's side and placed a hand on his shoulder, gently gaining the younger boy's attention.

"Baby, Heath's on his way. He said to meet him at the gates."

Mikey smiled at his boyfriend.

"Ok babe, thanks..."

He turned back to Gerard.

"Gee, we have to move him now."

He said softly. Gerard was cradling the older boy in his arms, rocking him slightly and trying to get him to wake up. He had one hand pressed to Frank's head, holding the now red wad of tissues in place. Frank's breathing sounded strained and his face was contorted into a frown, even while he remained unconscious. Gerard was worried.

"Mikey?..."

The younger boy hummed in acknowledgement.

"Why won't he wake up?"

His voice sounded small and lost...and it broke Mikey's heart to hear. Mikey squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, then opened them to find Gerard looking back at him.

"I don't know, Gee..."

He shook his head.

"But we're gonna take him to the hospital now, and they'll sort him out."

Pete moved to crouch in front of Gerard.

"I can carry him, if you hold his head."

Gerard looked at the other boy, tilting his head a little.

"Who are you?"

He asked. He didn't want to sound rude, he just didn't have any idea who the boy was.

"I'm Pete."

The boy stated.

"He's my boyfriend."

Mikey said quietly, but with a grin stretching his lips wide. Gerard baulked at this news.

"Since when?"

He hated not knowing stuff. Mikey giggled and Pete wanted to "Aww", but he wasn't sure it was the right time.

"Couple weeks..."

Mikey said proudly.

"Now, let's go, ok?"

Gerard stared for a moment. He couldn't quite believe that Mikey had kept this from him for so long. Then, snapping out of his daze, he released Frank's limp body into Pete's strong arms, marvelling briefly at the other boy's muscles and lamenting the lack of his own, as Pete stood up straight and Mikey helped his brother back up to his feet.

Gerard held the tissues firmly to the side of Frank's head with one hand and held the older boy's head up with the other, as Mikey kept a supporting hand around his waist and they all headed toward the front of the school.

As they approached the gates, Gerard saw a tall man with long curly dark hair, push off from his former position of leaning against the side of a crappy looking red Dodge Charger, flick away his cigarette and walk toward them.

"Here..."

He said, sticking out his arms.

"I'll take him."

Pete passed the silent boy into his step-brother's bigger arms, before doubling over for a moment to catch his breath. Gerard kept his hands where they were. Mikey grinned up at the taller man.

"Hi Heath. Thanks for this..."

Heath grunted as he indicated the back door of his car and Mikey darted over to open it.

He's Frank..."

He nodded at the unconscious boy as Heath slid him into the back seat.

"...and the guy holding his head is my brother, Gee."

Heath looked at Gerard, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.

"Gee?"

Gerard blushed as he climbed into the car, trying to keep pressure on Frank's head as he did so.

"Gerard."

He murmured, pulling Frank into his lap and holding him to his chest. Mikey climbed in next to him as Pete got onto the passenger seat and Heath got behind the wheel. Once all the doors were shut, Heath started the car and they headed off toward the hospital.

The drive only took about 5 minutes, then Heath was parking up, getting out and scooping Frank back up into his arms.

Gerard stayed close by, supporting Frank's head and panicking that he still hadn't come around. Almost as soon as they were through the automatic doors into the Emergency Room, two nurses and a student doctor were all over them, asking questions and then taking Frank away.

Mikey and Pete had to hold Gerard back as he struggled against them to follow his little black-haired boy through the flappy double doors, with the words Staff Only stencilled in red upon them. He needed to stay with Frank, but no one seemed to understand that right now.

"Come on Gee..."

Mikey pleaded, pulling on Gerard's arm and dragging him over toward the reception desk.

"Let them do their jobs. We have to give them some information."

Eventually Gerard allowed himself to be manhandled over to the desk, and sulking that he couldn't be with Frank, muttered out answers to the nurse on reception as she asked about what happened and the patient's parent's contact details.

Once that was all done, he let Mikey steer him to the waiting area, where they all sat down and tried not to think the worst.

Even Heath stayed, though he seemed to be more interested in his phone than in what was happening around him...but Pete was grateful none the less.

Several hours went by. School had ended and Mikey texted his and Gerard's mum to say they were going round a friends and they might be staying over night.

From exhaustion, and his own undisclosed injuries, Gerard eventually fell asleep. He had his head on Mikey's shoulder until he started to slip, and Mikey lowered him down to rest on his lap, gently stroking his older brother's long black hair as he snored softly and dreamed of his little black-haired boy.

Gerard awoke with a start and promptly fell off the chairs he was laying on. He wasn't sure what had caused him to wake, cause the room was quiet and everyone in it was asleep themselves, including Mikey, who's lap he was apparently resting on.

Sitting up and rubbing the back of his head where it had struck the pristine green floor tiles a moment before, Gerard yawned wide and pushed himself up to his feet, wincing slightly at the sting in his ribs.

The clock, quietly ticking high on the wall, said that it was 11:34, and judging by the fact that it was dark outside the waiting room window, that meant it was 11:34 at night.

Did their parents even care that he wasn't home?...sure, they'd worry about Mikey, but he was certain they didn't give a shit about him.

Silently leaving the small, dimly lit room, Gerard walked sleepily over to the nurse's desk and leaned his body heavily against it. The nurse, a small blonde girl with blue dreads woven through her long hair eventually looked up from the paperwork she was studying and smiled brightly at Gerard.

"Hi there..."

She greeted in a quite noticeable English accent.

"How can I help you?"

Gerard smiled back wearily and tried not to yawn.

"Hi..."

He began.

"I brought in my friend earlier...like a lot earlier...and we haven't been told how he is. We fell asleep."

He motioned to the waiting room.

"Oh, I'm sorry..."

She genuinely did seem sorry.

"What's your friend's name?"

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard of her computer.

"Frank Iero..."

He murmured.

"I. E. R. O."

The nurse, who's name badge said Charlotte- Staff Nurse, typed Frank's name quickly, then waited for a moment before looking up.

"You should've been told...Frank is recovering nicely from his injuries. He's in a room just down the hall, but it's way after visiting hours..."

She saw the distressed look on Gerard's young face and decided to bend the rules.

"But since you weren't told that you could see him earlier, I'll let you go see him for a bit now...if you promise not to wake him up. He needs his sleep..."

Gerard's smile was bright enough to light up the whole hospital and Nurse Charlotte worried that he'd nod his head right off.

"Come on then..."

She stood from her position behind the desk and led him toward Frank's dark room. Frank was asleep. He looked so small and lost in that bed, and Gerard just wanted to hold him close and make his pain go away.

"Ten minutes, ok?"

The nurse said quietly. Gerard nodded as he slipped into the chair that stood beside Frank's bed. The nurse smiled and left.

"Oh Frankie..."

Gerard broke down, taking Frank's hand in his and burying his face in the bedsheets.

"This is all my fault. If I hadn't said yes to Ray, even though I didn't really want to go out with him, then none of this would've happened. You'd never have gotten hurt."

Tears soaked the edge of the sheet as Gerard's body shook with rough sobs. He tried to stay quiet, but it really wasn't working out.

"Gee?..."

Frank's sleepy voice startled Gerard into silence.

"Don't cry baby."

Gerard slowly lifted his head and his wide wet eyes locked with Frank's large hazel orbs. His breath stuttered in as he fought back his tears.

"F-Frankie..."

He couldn't hold it in any more and he fell against the edge of the bed, hiding his face in his arms and sobbing desperately.

"Frankie...I'm...I'm s-sorry."

Frank squeezed Gerard's hand and softly stroked his long black hair.

"Shh, shh my love. You got nothing to say sorry for. You didn't do this. This was all Ray..."

Gerard lifted his head and looked like he was gonna argue but Frank cut him off.

"No baby. I don't blame you, and you shouldn't blame you either..."

He brushed a couple stray tears from Gerard's pale cheeks with the pad of his thumb.

"Now...are you gonna get in this bed and give me a cuddle, or what?"

A small smile broke through Gerard's tears and with a little hiccuping laugh, the younger boy climbed under the rough hospital sheets, as Frank held the edge up for him, and curled up against his little black-haired boy's side. Frank tucked the sheets around them both and wrapped his arms around the beautiful, sweet, gentle creature who had forgiven so much, and who could still...even after everything that Frank had done...find it in his heart to love him back.

Frank knew that he didn't deserve Gerard's love, he didn't even deserve his forgiveness...but somehow, he'd gotten both...and he couldn't be happier.

With thoughts of all the ways he planned on making up for the last 7 years on his mind...and with the boy he loved more than life itself in his arms...Frank Iero drifted back off into a deep, peaceful sleep. And a few moments later, Gerard had joined him.

It was nearly half an hour since Nurse Charlotte had taken the sweet boy in to visit with his friend, and she'd been caught up with another patient so couldn't get back to tell him it was time to go. But when she quietly opened the door and peeped inside, she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. The sight that met her eyes was just too cute to disturb.

Backing out and slowly closing the door again, she decided that if anyone asked...she'd seen nothing.

Gerard sighed deeply against Frank's warm chest as sweet dreams erased the horrors that had stalked him through his nightmares, ever since that day in the locker room. He was safe now. He had Frank and Frank wouldn't let the terrors get him again...right?

Notes