Frank POV

"Frank?"

I turned to see Gerard wrapped in a towel.

"What's going on? Are you okay?"

I jumped up and pulled him into my arms quickly. I was sobbing.

"Frankie?! What's wrong??"

"I thought they had taken you back." I whispered against his neck.

Gerard wrapped his arms around me.

"It's okay, Frank. I'm fine. Really."

I pulled away from the hug and looked up to see sadness in his eyes. Something was wrong. That's when I went into the bathroom he had just emerged from.

"Frankie-"

The room was terribly steamy and foggy. It was as if Gerard had been taking a shower in boiling water. I wiped my eyes.

"Frankie let's go eat." Gerard said softly, taking hold of my shoulder. "I feel like eating a lot today."

It was then I noticed something. A bit of blue plastic behind the toilet. I bent down to pick it up. A piece of a... razor.

"Frank?"

I turned to Gerard. My hands were shaking. His jaw was tight.

"Gerard. Did you hurt yourself?" I asked softly.

"No."

"Take off your towel."

I saw him go pale.

"Gerard, take off your towel."

"I'm not lying... I swear!"

I sighed and stepped closer. Gerard was frozen in place. Then, I ripped the towel off. Gerard tried to cover himself... but I saw them. Scars on his thighs.

"Frank I...I'M SORRY I-"

I took Gerard's arm. I could feel him trembling in fear. Of me.

I went to my drawer and pulled out some clean underwear. Then, I put them on him.

"Frankie?"

I didn't answer. I signaled for him to sit on the bed. I went to look for a first said kit. I came back a few minutes later and began to tend to Gerard. He hardly resisted. He simply allowed me to take care of him.

"Frank, I'm sorry I-"

I laid him down on the bed and scooted in behind him. There, I spooned him gently.... while crying into his back.

---

Gerard POV

I could feel Frank's tears on my back. The guilt grew and grew.

Why... why had I done this to him.I only remember a deep desire to die... and then... I was bleeding. It all happened so fast.....

Frank's arms make me feel terribly small. His tears on my back make me wish I had died so I wouldn't have to see him like this. Selfish, right?

"Frankie... please answer me...."

He pulled away from my back.

"I thought they had taken you back there... when you came out of the bathroom... I was so relieved to see you, Gerard. Why... why would you hurt yourself? Don't I make you HAPPY, GERARD?!"

He gritted his teeth and put his face on my back again. I remained silent. There was nothing I could say. I lay awake long after Frank had gone to sleep. Thinking... remembering... dreading.

Notes

he's okay! (ish)