Mr. Way - Frerard

The next thing I knew, I was in Gerard’s car, Bandit in the back alongside three luggage bags, one for each of us. The only thing preventing me from weeping was Gerard’s hand on my knee.

“What’s the plan?” I asked Gerard, an hour into the journey. Before then, I’d been too drained to care, and had let Gerard worry about where we were actually going.

“I called my brother, Mikey, when you were getting your things,” he explained. I thought back to when I’d entered my house, taken some clothes and belongings, and left my mother a note, and my heart dropped slightly at the thought of my poor Ma finding out I was gone.

“I didn’t know you had a brother,” I observed. I realised that I didn’t really know all that much about Gerard – about his past, his family.

“Where does he live?” I asked.

“California.” He paused. “I’m sorry, Frank, I didn’t even think about whether you’d be comfortable going so far.”

“I’d go anywhere with you,” I told him. A glance to the back seat told me that Bandit was sleeping soundly, so I leaned over and pressed my lips to Gerard’s cheek.

After a moment of silence, he said, “I’m sorry I got you into this, Frank.”

“You didn’t get me into this, Gerard. You aren’t to blame. I fully consented to this relationship, and I don’t regret it at all.” He nodded, his eyes locked on the road.

Late that night, after a five-hour flight, I was stepping out of a taxi, bearing our luggage whilst Gerard carried Bandit. “This is the place,” Gerard muttered. I tapped on the door, as Gerard was unable to, due to Bandit in his arms. A moment later, the door swung open, and I saw a young man open the door. His blonde hair was streaked with brown, and his eyes were warm and kind.

“Hey!” he said, quietly but enthusiastically. He stepped aside to allow us entry. “You must be Frank,” he said, shaking my hand. “This is Bandit?” he asked Gerard, indicating to the girl in his arms.

“Yeah. She’s tired out,” he spoke in a hushed tone.

“You wanna take her upstairs?” Mikey asked. Gerard nodded and left.

There was a moment of silence. “Gerard told me about your, uh, situation,” he said. I nodded awkwardly.

“I’m not… I accept the two of you. I mean, I know you don’t need my acceptance to be together, but… yeah.”

“Thanks. For letting us stay,” I added.

“Anything for family,” he said. I wasn’t sure whether it was the stress of the situation, or the fact that he knew I’d probably fucked his brother, but the conversation had an uncomfortable element, and I felt a wave of relief when Gerard descended the stairs again.

We all went to bed soon after. Gerard and I huddled together in one of the two guest rooms, and we huddled closely, glad to still have each other. Only when I was sure he’d fallen into a deep sleep did I let the tears fall.

Notes