all the colors on street signs

mikey doesn’t expect gerard to bring home anyone, but he does, and when he does, this boy is magical. gerard’s 6 months sober and he’s brought home this actual angel. he introduces himself as frank, and mikey almost melts in his palm. this is a step up from bert. so much more than bert could ever be. frank understands that gerard gets sad and he doesn’t leave the bed for /anything./ frank gets that the way brothers are closer than close, and nothing would ever break that bond. frank understands that gerard is fragile still, and can’t be around alcohol, but he can tolerate cigarettes, “marlboro reds are his favorite, frankie.” frank is like a beam in gerard’s life, and he clings to him with uncertainty. one night, gerard, mikey, and frank are all sitting on the couch. “i really like the color of his eyes, mikey.” and mikey grins. things are okay. things get better.

Notes