A Soul I Cannot Save...

Frank had found nothing conclusive from praying. Gerard would never be able to love him if they couldn't even touch. Technically, they could lives without it, but realistically, it would be a little sad.

Frank would have to figure this out on my own. This was his mission after all. He just didn't know where to start.

He decided to visit Gerard. It had been three days since their meeting and not only did they need to speak, Frank missed Gerard. Frank was extremely surprised to find Gerard in the state he did.

Gerard was nowhere near as energetic as he was when they'd last spoken. He was sat up in bed with the covers pulled up to his nose. His eyes were nearly drowning in the puffy bags underneath them. His skin was pale and sickly looking. But Frank had seen him three days before; He hadn't even been sick.

"Are you okay?" Frank asked, immediately. Gerard lowered the covers so Frank could see his weak smile.

"I've got a cold." Gerard replied. He moved so that his legs were hanging over the side of the bed. He stood and stretched.

"So I see. Where's your brother? He's not at the store." He said.

"Every time I try to trust you, you say something creepy. How do you know where my brother hangs out?" Gerard questioned.

"One, he doesn't go very far. Just across the street. And he's there all day. Pretty hard to miss. Secondly, I'm here to watch over both of you. You're just the one in grave danger."

"Grave danger." Gerard mocked in a ridiculous voice. Frank gave him a look.

"I'm completely serious. I'm very concerned about you. Come here."

Gerard came to Frank. He placed a careful hand on Frank's shoulder.

"Why doesn't this hurt me? Why did it hurt before?" Gerard asked.

"I don't have the answer to that. I'm sorry. But this isn't hurting you now?" Frank said. Gerard shook his head. he put another hand on Frank's shoulder. They both smiled.

Gerard looked down at their feet and continued to smile. It was a bit funny that he had to look down to his own guardian angel. Gerard squinted as he peered into Frank's eyes, trying to see the holy, God-bearing part of him. He didn't see an angel, or anything out of the ordinary. He only saw a person. Someone he could relate to if he tried. They were equals in Gerard's eyes. The thought of Frank being an angel suddenly began to upset him. Why can't he be like me? Just a person. He thought. Did Gerard have to start praying and going to church? Did he have to stop swearing and read the Bible. He certainly didn't want to. He wanted to live his life as he had before. But as things were going lately, with the death of both his parents and him meeting his own guardian angel, Gerard was starting to see that that would never happen.

"You're beautiful." Frank said in a whisper. Gerard bit his lip and nodded. Frank felt embarrassed. He didn't want Gerard to think he was awkward or anything. He was, but Gerard didn't need to know that.

"Thanks. Can angels get sick? 'Cause if they can, you probably will be later." Gerard said.

"No. I can't get sick." He paused. Gerard moved a little closer. "How do you feel?" He finished.

"Weak. I haven't eaten yet. I'm just not hungry." Gerard admitted. Frank frowned. He wrapped his arms around Gerard. Gerard jumped and pushed away from him. His face was twisted up with pain. He'd burned him again.

"I'm so sorry. I thought it wouldn't happen again, because you touched me and it was okay. I'm so, so sorry, darling." Frank said. He felt like shit, again. Gerard rubbed his sides where Frank had touched him. He tied to uncoil his body to look less hurt for Frank. He didn't want him to feel bad.

"Maybe you just can't touch me. Maybe that's the problem." Gerard said. Frank's heartbroken visage made Gerard's stomach churn. He didn't know what to say.

Gerard pulled Frank into another hug. Frank kept his arms at his sides in an effort not to bring Gerard anymore pain. Gerard squeezed Frank until he felt he couldn't breathe. Gerard never really know how to console sad people. He'd just hug them or tell them how much he loved them. Most times it helped and it definitely never hurt anything.

"Want to stay here instead of out in that drafty shed? Mr. Casper doesn't check the rooms until 8:30 on Saturdays. And when he comes I can hide you." Gerard said.

"I'm okay, I'm just going to go think. I need to find a way to stop that from happening." He said as he was walking toward the door. He was already deep in thought by the time he exited the room.

"Bye!" Gerard said, silently promising to himself that he would go see Frank the next day.

Notes