No Coffee For Gee ~rewritten~

Gee liked being in high school already. It was a little weird without Mikey and Bob there, but good.
He still jumped whenever anyone came up behind him, and panicked when he realised that he had gym class without either Frankie or Patrick to keep him safe. But by that first Friday, he was getting used to it, and had realised that he didn't actually need to be protected, as no one was bullying him here.
Home, of course, was still bad, but school was fast becoming his safe place. He liked it.

"Hi Frankie."

He said happily as he left final period art to see his friend leaning on the wall outside his classroom, waiting for him.

"How was music?"

"It was cool."

Frankie grinned.

"They've got these really cool guitars, and the teacher's majorly into punk music."

Gee smiled at Frankie's enthusiasm.

"Come on, let's go find Patrick, then we can go.. home."

Gee's mood dropped noticeably.
Frankie put his arm around Gee's shoulders comfortingly.

"Hey, don't worry Gee. I'm still staying at yours tonight, right?"

Gee cheered up at this, nodding as they headed to the front of the school where they would meet Patrick.

"I just gotta stop at mine on the way to grab my overnight bag. Won't take long."

He assured, arm still slug lazily around his friend's neck.

"Oh, hi Pat."

He called as he spotted the other boy ahead of them, nose buried in a book.

Patrick looked up and smiled trying not to notice that Frank was once again holding Gee. He put his book away and then the three of them walked toward their houses. They got out an hour before Mikey so they were free to relax on the way home, unlike the walk to school.

"Hey, so are you guys ready for tomorrow?"

Patrick didn't want to bring it up, but it was inevitable.
Gee physically shuddered.

"I will never be ready for that!"

Frankie squeezed Gee's shoulder comfortingly.

"We'll be there Gee. You'll be ok."

Gee didn't look convinced, but forced a weak smile.
Tomorrow was Mikey's birthday, and he was having friends round for pizza and movies.
All of the boys that would be there, were the same ones who had joined Mikey in making Gee's middle school experience a living nightmare.
The only two saving graces for tomorrow, were that Frankie and Patrick would be there, and that Bob wouldn't, as he had some family thing, apparently.

"I guess."

Gee shrugged.

"You're still coming, right Pat?"

He turned to his friend, hope in his eyes.

"Sure, I just wish I could have slept over too, but I promised my dad we would get the garage done."

Patrick sighed. Once again Frank would have Gerard all to himself.

"I promise though I will be there bright and early."

Patrick smiled.

Gee smiled back as they arrived at Frankie's house.

"I'll just be a minute guys."

Frankie said, removing his arm from Gee's shoulders and heading inside to get his bag, leaving Gee and Patrick outside.
Gee jumped up to sit on Frankie's front wall, kicking his legs absently.

"So did you actually get anything for him this year, or are you just attached to whatever your parents got?"

Gee scoffed slightly.

"Last time I actually bought him something.. a vinyl he'd been after for nearly a whole year.. he thanked me in front of mum and dad, then made a show of smashing it in front of me the next day, and telling dad that I broke it."

Gee shook his head.

"My name is on the tablet that mum and dad bought him."

He sighed.

"I don't think he'd smash that.. At least, I hope he wouldn't."

He looked toward Frankie's front door, wanting to change the subject already.

"What's taking so long?"

Patrick wondered if Gee ever worried about him when he was late to his house. He patted Gee's knee and left his hand there.

"Don't worry Gee, he probably just..."

At that moment Frank appeared with his back pack slightly heavier than before.

"Sorry guys.. Mum needed help moving a dresser."

He saw Patrick's hand on Gee's knee and frowned slightly, but tried to hide it by coughing into his hand.

"We ready to go?"

Gee jumped down, a smile on his face.

"Yeah, let's go."

Frankie offered his hand, and Gee accepted it. They started to walk.

"Okay guys, I will be there in the morning."

Patrick waved at the boys and then headed towards his house. His dad was already in the garage.

"Ready to get started son?"

Patrick looked over his shoulder and saw that Frank was making Gee laugh. He was forgotten already.

"Yeah dad, I'm ready."

(time passes)

Mikey was due home in a couple of minutes, and Gee was hiding in his room with Frankie by his side.
They had music playing, and they were doing their homework.. Gee math, and Frankie Spanish.

"Urgh.."

Gee groaned.

"I hate math!.. I can't do this one."

He showed Frankie the equation, and Frankie, who was always better with numbers than Gee, pointed out where his friend had gone wrong.

"You've forgotten to move the decimal point Gee.. Look.."

He scribbled the sum on a scrap of paper with a doodle of a ghost in the corner.

"It's 103.56, not 1035.6.. See?"

Gee nodded slowly.

"Yeah, yeah I think I get it."

There was a knock at the door and Donna stuck her head in the room.

"Mikey's home.. I'm guessing you're staying up here?"

Gee nodded, visibly shrinking into himself a bit.

"Ok, but I want you both downstairs at six for dinner. It's Mikey's birthday meal, cos his friends will be here tomorrow, and I want a nice family meal without that lot."

Gee looked down at his hands.

"Ok mumma."

He murmured quietly.
Donna left, and Frankie moved to sit next to Gee, pulling him into a hug.

"It'll be ok, I'll be there!"

He stroked Gee's back, feeling him relax against him.

(Time passes. Six o'clock!)

Gee walked into the dining room just behind Frankie. He kept his head down as he slipped into his seat, Frankie beside him.
Mikey and their father were already at the table.

"Nice of you boys to finally join us."

Mikey smirked and kicked Gee under the table.

"We were doing homework."

Frankie said, coolly, knowing that Gee was probably not going to answer.

"At least you were not being idol and wasting time."

Donna brought the spaghetti over and placed a special bowl in front of Frank. Donald grumbled about special treatment.

"Now dad, you know that Frankie is a vegetarian."

"I know son, but when I was younger, everyone ate the same. No one was special."

Mikey swore he heard Gee say that Frank was and he smirked.

"What was that Gee? Dad didn't hear you."

Donald looked at his oldest.

"Did you say something to me son?"

Gee dropped his head.

"No sir."

He mumbled quietly.

"Right, well you shouldn't be talking when adults are anyway."

The next few moments were just a clatter of forks touching plates.

"How was school today?"

Donald directed it at both boys, but Mikey jumped in first.

"My English teacher already said that I was the best speaker out of the whole class."

"Very nice son. It is important to have a strong voice and presence in the real world."

Gee didn't bother to answer, as he figured his dad didn't really care what he had to say anyway. He continued to eat slowly.

"I'm waiting son?"

Gee looked up, startled.

"Oh err.."

He flustered.

"It was good. My art teacher said I have real talent."

He said, pride slipping into his voice as he sat up a little straighter.

"Smart man."

Frankie grinned, nudging Gee's foot with his own.

"Art is not going to help you get a good job and pay the bills son. Honestly, you spend more time with your head in the clouds instead of realising you need to stay grounded."

Donald finished his meal and then went to the fridge to grab a beer.

"Coming to join me son?"

Everyone knew he was talking to Mikey.

"Sure Dad."

Mikey smirked as he left the dining room to watch basketball with his father.

Gee sighed, pushing his half finished meal away.

"Can I leave the table mumma?.. I'm not really hungry."

Frankie frowned. They had done it to him again.. Bastards.

(Time passes)

The light was peeking through the curtains of the living room where Frank and Gee had slept since his bed was too small. The door was carefully being opened and Gee would have assumed that it was Patrick arriving early like he said he would...he assumed wrong.

"DOGPILE ON THE FAGGOT!"

Bob jumped up as high as he could and landed full body on Gee getting him in the gut with his elbow and in the balls with his knees. The scream that would have left his throat was caught and Mikey watched from the stairs laughing.

"Surprise Way, happy birthday."

Mikey chuckled darkly.

"I don't know if that was more of a birthday present for me or him."

"Well I did hit him in the package."

Mikey helped Bob up and led him to his room.

"True, very true Bryar."

The two left Gee groaning on the floor in pain and Frank trying to help him.

(time passes)

When Patrick arrived he found Gee on the sofa with a bag of frozen peas on his nuts and Frank soothing him by rubbing his back. Patrick asked what happened, but then he heard Bob's voice and shook his head.

"I thought he had something to do with family today?"

"Apparently not."

Frankie huffed.

"I wish we could just go to the movies or something.."

Gee muttered.

"But dad insisted I stay here.. 'for Mikey's birthday!'"

He air quoted the last.

Patrick sat down next to Gee and touched his knee once again.

"We just have to make it through the present opening, then we can go off and be on our own."

"Yeah.."

Frankie rolled his eyes.

"What fun."

He said dryly, reaching up to wipe a tear from Gee's cheek, that the other boy hadn't been able to hold back.

"Sup losers?"

Mikey walked in with Bob trailing behind him. They went into the kitchen and pulled out the cereal and started making breakfast for themselves. Patrick decided to be brave...stupid, but brave.

"I thought Bob couldn't make it today?"

Mikey was surprised. The fat one had balls.

"Awww, were you concerned for me Stumped?"

"No...I just..."

"Well for you information, Bob explained to his mom how important it was to be here with his best friend and she relented."

Mikey and Bob carried a bunch of bowls out to the living room.

"Here you go Frankie."

He handed one to Frank and Bob handed one to Patrick.

"Here Gee."

Mikey smiled sweetly and held out the bowl for Gee, but when Gee went to grab it, he let it slip and spill all over him and the sofa.

"Oopps, how clumsey of me."

"Boys, what's going on?"

Donna and Donald chose that exact moment to appear.

"Gee just dropped his cereal in his lap."

"Well don't just sit there son, get up and clean it up. Honestly, i don't know how you manage not to fall more often with you being that clumsy."

Donald went into the kitchen.

"I made us some toast dad."

"Wonderful, thank you Michael."

Gee sighed, getting up with a wince of pain and dripping milk everywhere.

"Go get changed Gee."

Frankie said, gently rubbing his best friend's arm.

"I'll clean this up."

Gee smiled sadly at Frankie, then headed up to his room.

"That little shit is gonna get his head kicked in one of these days."

Frankie muttered to Patrick as he picked up the cereal bowl and used some tissues to pick up the spilled food.

"And I'm gonna be laughing when I do it too."

He grinned, before going into the kitchen to dispose of the mess, and grab a wet cloth to finish the clean up.

Patrick shook his head. He grabbed the blankets that Gee and Frankie were using in the living room and carried them to Gee's room. He opened the door and gasped. He thought Gerard would be in the bathroom, but he was in his room...bent over just slipping his underwear over his ass.

"S-S-Sorry, I thought you were...I brought the blankets."

Gee smiled at him, not even bothered.

"It's ok Pat. If you were Mikey I'd be bothered, but you're not, so it's all good."

Gee grabbed his skinny jeans from the foot of his bed and started to wiggle into them.

"Can you put those in the back of the closet please?"

"Yeah, I can do that."

Patrick watched as Gee bent over again to grab his shoes and then headed to the closet. He put the sheets away and as he closed the door, he looked down.

"Fuck."

Patrick made a beeline for the bathroom and ran into Mikey, literally.

"Sorry, I just really have to.."

Mikey looked at him and quirked an eyebrow, but surprisingly let him in. He closed the door and ran to the toilet. He opened his pants and his cock sprung forth. As soon as he touched it, he hissed. This was gonna be quick and he bit his lip to stifle the noises.

Mikey was standing outside the bathroom when the first sound hit him. He pressed his ear to the door and concentrated. He heard it again and it was definitely a moan. He tried the handle and it gave way. Quietly he opened the door and peeked in. His brother's friend was standing over the toilet jacking himself hard and fast. Mikey was about to close the door when he heard one more thing.

"Geeeee..."

He closed it with a smirk and filed the information for later.

Gee was just fiddling with his hair, trying to get it under some sort of control, when Frankie walked in.

"Hey Gee. All cleaned up?"

Gee nodded, huffing slightly at his unruly hair.

"Frankie?.. Do you think I should get my hair cut?.. It might stop Mikey and dad from calling me a girl."

He turned to look at his friend, but was horrified to see that Mikey was stood right outside his door, smirking.
Frankie hadn't seen him.

"I kinda like your hair long.."

Frankie shrugged, then grinned.

"But if you want to, I'll come with you if you like?"

Gee's eyes flashed from Frankie to an amused looking Mikey. He couldn't bring himself to answer, so just nodded.

The door to the bathroom opened and a breathless Patrick appeared.

"All done then?"

Patrick looked up and saw Mikey standing near the bathroom door. He also saw Gerard and Frank in Gerard's room. He blushed and looked away.

"Yeah...all yours."

Mikey walked to the door with his signature smirk. As he passed Patrick he leaned in and whispered.

"Next time you jerk off to my brother, you may want to be a little quieter."

Patrick gasped and Mikey walked into the bathroom shutting the door.

Gee relaxed as Mikey disappeared from view.

"I think I wanna dye my hair too.. Red maybe?"

He looked at Frankie for approval, then Patrick as he walked in.

"What, bright red?"

Frankie grinned.

"Cos that'd look cool."

"H-Hey guys, what are we talking about?"

Patrick felt Mikey's words going around and around in his head, but he tried to remain calm and act normal.

"Gee wants to get his hair cut and dye it bright red."

Frankie said excitedly, turning to Patrick.

"I think he should, and I think we should go with him after the whole present opening fiasco.. What do ya think?"

"Sure, that sounds like fun."

Patrick relaxed a bit. They don't know anything is wrong. Now if he can just keep Mikey from saying anything, everything will be okay...right?

(time passes)

"Okay, time for cake and presents boys."

Gee shuddered and stuck close to Frankie and Patrick as they headed down to the living room.
Frankie took Gee's hand, squeezing it lightly and flashing him an encouraging smile.

"It'll be ok."

He whispered as they entered the room, seeing nearly a dozen of the little douchebags that Mikey called friends.

Gee tried to smile back, but it came off forced.

"Okay who's first?"

Mikey went through and opened all the gifts that his friends gave him. They were all great and he loved them all. He was still hoping though that his brother got him something like last year. Something he could use to break him down further.

"Okay Michael here is your last present from us, but I want you to thank all your friends first."

"Thank you everyone for coming to my party and bringing these amazing gifts with you."

"Very good Michael, now you may open the last one."

Mikey knew he had to start with the card. That is what good children did according to his parents. He opened it and saw that it was handmade by his brother. At the bottom was his signature along with their parents. That meant he could not destroy it in front of his brother...yet.

"Whoa, did you make that?"

One of Mikey's friends pointed at Gerard.

Gee swallowed as all eyes turned to him, his eyes went wide and he shrunk back behind Frankie a little.

"Err y..yeah. I did."

He mumbled, turning his eyes to the floor nervously.

"That's pretty cool."

A murmur went through the group of boys till Mikey cleared his throat.

"Thanks Gee. I know you have no money, so homemade is kind of the next best thing right?"

Gee sighed.

"Yeah."

He murmured. He felt Frankie rubbing the inside of his wrist with his thumb to relax him.. Unfortunately, it wasn't really helping right now.

Mikey went and opened up the gift now. It was the tablet that he had asked for, but with his brother's stylizing on the cover. Again everyone marveled at the work he did.

"Thank you mom and dad, thank you Gee."

"You're welcome son. Now if you boys will begin to gather up your things and head into the yard to wait for your parents to come. Gerard, help your mother with the clean up."

"Yes sir."

Gee muttered, head down.

"We'll help too."

Frankie said, slinging his arm around Gee's shoulder comfortably.

"Right Pat?"

Donna smiled and ushered them into the kitchen to give them tasks. Through the kitchen window they could hear Mikey and his friends playing and laughing. By the time they got everything cleaned up, all but Bob was gone. Mikey and Bob came back in.

"Well son did you enjoy your party?"

"I did, thank you."

Gee put the last cup away in the cupboard and turned to his mum.

"Can we go out now, please?.. Frankie, Pat and I have plans."

He held his breath, cos he was pretty sure that either Mikey or his dad would have something to say.

"Yes, you can go."

Gee looked at his dad in surprise.

"Thank you s..sir."

He turned with his friends to make a quick escape.

(time passes)

The late summer turned into fall and before they realised it the boys had been in school for almost two months. Halloween was around the corner and that meant Frankie's birthday.

"This haunted house is going to be so epic!"

Patrick was was really excited for this!

"I guess."

Gee said gloomily.
He was laying on his bed, on his stomach with his head and arms hanging off the edge, his hair already getting long again, and covering his face.
Patrick was sat on the floor with his back to the bed next to him.

"It'd be better if we didn't have to take Mikey with us."

He groaned, rolling onto his back and letting his head fall to hang down.

"Why does he hate me Pat?.. What did I ever do to him?"

Patrick laid a comforting hand on Gee's shoulder and rubbed it lightly.

"I wish I knew Gee."

He knew that Gerard wanted Frank there too, but Frank was sick trying to get better for his birthday.

"And dad too.."

Gee whined slightly.

"He hates me too Pat."

He turned to look at his friend.

"Is there something wrong with me?.. Am I really that unlovable?"

He turned back to stare at the ceiling.

"Don't answer that."

He muttered.

"I love you Gee."

Patrick realised what he just said. He backpeddled a bit.

"And Frankie loves you and your mom and things have been good in school right?"

"Yeah I suppose so, but.. I just don't understand why dad hates me.. And before you try to tell me that he doesn't.. I know for a fact that he does."

"Gee..."

Patrick gently turned Gee's face a bit with his hand.

"My mum left cause she did not love my dad. She was always mean to me though and I always thought she hated me. Now we have a great relationship and I have a little sister I see on holidays. Maybe it is the same in a way? Maybe your dad and mom don't get along and he does not want to admit it so he takes it out on you?"

Patrick continued to rub his shoulder with his other hand. He looked deep in the boy's eyes and fought so hard not to lean in and kiss him.

Gee shook his head.

"No Pat. I actually heard him tell Mikey that he wishes Mikey was an only child."

He met Patrick's eyes.

"Tell me.. How can I misunderstand that?!"

He turned away again.

"Gee..."

Patrick pulled Gee into his arms and just let the boy cry. He murmured soothing sounds till he felt him go limp and knew he had passed out from the emotional exhaustion. He put Gee to bed and covered him up.

"Oh Gee, if only you knew how amazing you are and how those that don't know are missing out and I wish you loved me as much as I love you."

He leaned over and lightly brushed his lips over his mouth and then went to leave.

"Are you sure that isn't a form of rape doing that?"

Patrick froze when he saw Mikey leaning in the doorway of his room.

"W-W-W-What are you talking about?"

"You kissing him when he was asleep and declaring your love for him."

Mikey walked up to him and Patrick shrunk against the wall.

"I k-k-kissed his forehead, I was worried about him. He was upset because of y..."

Patrick bit his tongue.

"Me huh? Poor wittle Gee was crying his eyes out to you about his mean little brother."

Patrick gulped and his eyes went wide and Mikey reached up and touched his cheek. He waited for the blow, but nothing came.

"It's a shame you know...that he has such a hard on for Frankie when you are right there."

Patrick turned away, but Mikey forced his face back.

"He will never love you, you know that right?"

Patrick whimpered knowing the younger boy's word were true.

"I'm happy j-j-just being his f-friend."

"Yeah? And where will you be when Frank and him stop being stupid and figure out they like each other. You will be the third wheel. Useless and discarded."

Mikey tapped his face twice and the pushed him away.

"See you tomorrow Stumped."

Mikey walked away and Patrick ran for the stairs. He told Donna that Gee fell asleep and that he had to get home. He said he would be there tomorrow for the Autumn Festival. Patrick ran home as fast as he could. He was happy no one was home. He ran to his bed and tore off his clothing getting his hand around his cock as fast as he could. He jerked off hard and fast and then collapsed on the bed crying with Mikey's words echoing in his head.

(time passes)

Gee yawned and fluttered his eyes open. He was in his bed and the room was dark. He was alone, and he really didn't want to be.
Reaching over to his nightstand, he grabbed his cellphone and checked the time.
It was just gone two thirty in the morning, but he was feeling panicky, and needed to hear a friendly voice.
Gee dialled Frankie's number by memory, but after two rings, it went to voicemail. He hung up, then tried Patrick.
The phone rung for a moment and then was answered, a mumbled "what?" Sounding down the line.

"P..Patrick?.. It's Gee."

"Is everything okay *yawn* Gee?"

"I don't.. N..nightmare or, or s..something.. I don't. I can't.."

Gee's breathing was ragged and tears were falling down his face.

"Pat.. T..talk to me?.. Please?"

"Sure sure"

Patrick sat up.

"Open your curtain."

He waited for Gee to do it and then waved to him.

Gee waved back, his movements jerky and uncertain.

"Do you want me to come over?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

Patrick hung up and then went downstairs. He crossed the yard to Gee's house. He used the back entrance, which was usually unlocked. He climbed the stairs and opened Gee's bedroom door.

"Hey Gee."

Gee was sat in the corner of his bed, back pressed against the wall and knees pulled up to his rapidly moving chest. His arms were wrapped tight around his knees and his face was buried, fading red falling in a curtain over his arms.
Gee was shaking. He didn't look up.

Patrick crawled into the bed with him.

"Hey hey Gee, come on, look at me."

Gee lifted his face so that just his wide, wet eyes peeped out over his arms.
He stared at Patrick, still fighting to breathe right.

"Come here baby."

Forgetting protocol and everything, Patrick opens his arms to invite Gee in.

Gee sobbed hard before throwing himself forward into Patrick's arms. Frankie's would've been better, but right now he'd take a hug from a leper.. He just needed to be held.

Patrick pulled them down and rocked Gee, hugging his body close. Maybe this was it. The turning point. He could have called Frank, but he called Patrick instead.

"Shhh, I got you Gee. No one is going to hurt you while I'm here. I'll protect you baby."

"I.. I can't.. B..breathe.."

Gee was hyperventilating as he clung to Patrick's chest, knuckles while, hands shaking.

Patrick did a quick scan of the room and saw an old lunch bag. He grabs it, turning down the edges.

"Here Gee, breathe in here."

Gee gasped, accepting the bag and trying to take a breath.
It wasn't working. And now he was starting to see black spots at the edges of his vision.
His eyes rolled back and his body went limp.

"Gee!"

Patrick covered his mouth, realising he was too loud. He listened for anyone, but heard nothing. He checked to see if Gee was still breathing and he was. He curled his body around the boy and stroked his hair, softly singing to him.

"I wish you would just let me take care of you Gee. We could be so good together and I would make sure that you were never hurt again and just like tonight anytime you called me I would be there for you. I love you Gee, so much."

Soft snores and whimpers came from the boy and Patrick tilted his head up just a little bit to kiss him softly wishing that Gee would give back.

(time passes)

Frankie woke up and thought for a moment that it was still the middle of the night. It took him about a minute to realise that his comforter was pulled right up over his head.
Pulling it down and taking a few deep breaths of fresh air, he picked up his cell and saw a missed call.. at 2:34am.. From Gee.
Knowing that his best friend wouldn't call at stupid o'clock in the morning just to shoot the breeze, he realised that something had to be wrong, and quickly hit the call button, sitting up and putting the phone to his right ear.
It rang twice, then was picked up.

"Gee?.. You ok?"

But it wasn't Gee who answered. It was Patrick.

"Hey Frankie, what's up?"

"Uh.."

Frankie looked at the time on his phone, as the missed call had distracted him from looking before. It was 7:13am.

"Is Gee ok?.. He called me at like half two in the morning, but I missed the call."

"Oh...he did? Well I guess since he couldn't get you, he called me. I mean, I am just next door and all..."

Patrick trailed off. He was a fool to think that he was the first one.

"...anyway, he is doing alright, he just had a nightmare and wanted some company. You should go back to sleep and get better for Saturday."

"I think I've had about as much sleep as I can handle.. I'm so insanely bored, it's not even funny.."

Frankie paused.

"Paaaaatty.."

He whined.

"Entertain meeee?.. Tell me a storrrry?"

"I would, but the tiny terror just got up and we don't need him having more reasons to attack Gee. I have to get home before he finds me here."

Frankie frowned.

"Is that why Gee had a nightmare?.. Did Mikey do something to him?"

"I'm not sure. Look, I'll call you from my house."

Patrick hung up without another word. He climbed out of the bed and looked down at the sleeping boy. He quickly drew a heart on a piece of paper and then, pressing it into Gee's hand, left.

(time passes)

"I'm going to eat my weight in funnel cake!"

"That's not going to be much Way."

"Fuck you Bryar."

Mikey said it low enough that his mom did not hear him. She gave them each money and then let them on their way. Patrick turned to Gee.

"So what do you want to do first Gee?"

"Something in the opposite direction to them."

Gee smiled softly, pointing at Mikey and Bob as they ran off laughing.

"How about we play some games. Maybe I can win you something."

Patrick winked and nudged Gee lightly.

Gee giggled, then sighed.

"Frankie's gonna hate that he missed this."

He went quiet for a moment, then shook himself out and smiled wide at Patrick.

"Games sound good. Let's go."

He grabbed Patrick's hand and dragged him toward a shooting range game.

"Win me a stuffed cat?.. Pleeease?"

"Sure!"

Patrick looked at the game, It looked easy and all he had to do was win twice to get the little stuffed cat Gerard wanted, but he had his sights set much higher. He leaned in to pay and asked the barker a question. He showed him six fingers. Patrick payed for nine.

*bang*
*bang*
*bang*
*bang*
*miss*
*miss*
*miss*
*bang*
*bang*

"Annnnnd we have a winnahhhhhhh"

Patrick pointed to the largest stuffed cat the guy had. He pulled it down and handed it to him. Patrick turned to Gee, who had such admiration in his eyes right then that Patrick can't help but to swell with pride.

"Here you go Gee."

Gee took the large yellow cat in his arms and hugged it to his chest, a huge smile on his face. He looked up at Patrick.

"That was amazing Pat."

He stepped close to his friend and leaned in, pressing a kiss lightly to Patrick's cheek.

"Thank you."

He grinned happily, taking Patrick's hand in one of his, as he held the cat with the other.

"Let's go get chilli fries."

He giggled, dragging him along.

And just like that Patrick was back in the game.

(time passes)

*Wachoo*

"Ugh honestly Geeb, I don think its a goob idea. Frankie just gob done beeing sick and he coud rela-a-a-achoo-lepse."

Gee frowned, leaning against Patrick's doorframe, several feet from his sickbed.

"So you're really gonna miss Frankie's party Pat?"

He asked, disappointment heavy in his voice.

"I knowb and I feel awful about it, but I would feel awfuller...is thab a worb?"

Patrick sneezed three more times and blew his already red nose.

"Here, take my present for himb."

Patrick pointed to a wrapped black and sliver box.

"Donb worry, my momb wrapped it, I havb not touched it."

He sneezed again.

Gee smiled softly, picking up the gift and returning to the doorway.

"Feel better Patrick. I'm gonna miss you at the party."

He shuffled his feet a little, looking down.

"I'd come back and keep you company later, but my mum told me not to get sick, cos she can't afford time off work to take care of my ass."

He smiled softly, but with a cheeky twinkle in his eye as he looked up.

"I gotta go. Don't wanna be late."

"Thanks Geeb."

Patrick sneezed again and then gave a tear filled smile cause being sick really sucked.

(time lapse to Frankie's party)

Gee arrived at Frankie's door right on time.
It seemed a little strange to him that he couldn't hear loud music, or the excited chattering of teenagers, but he brushed it off as the door opened, and Frankie was grinning like an idiot in front of him.

"Hi Frankie. Happy birthday."

He held out his armfuls of presents.. The black and silver box from Patrick, and a bulging black and red gift bag from him.

"The bag's from me."

He said proudly. Frankie took the gifts with wide eyes, signalling for Gee to follow him inside.

"You didn't have to buy me anything Gee. Just you being here would've been enough."

Gee rolled his eyes, shutting the front door behind them and trailing Frankie into the living room.

"Don't be soft Frankie. Of course I got you a present."

He grinned, then looked around, confusion growing.

"Am I early?"

He looked at the clock above the fireplace. No. It was definitely 2 o'clock.

"Where is everyone?"

He looked at Frankie curiously. Frankie sighed, setting his presents on the coffee table in front of the couch. He rubbed the back of his neck, looking at the floor.

"My mom decided that I'm not well enough for the party. She said I can have it next week."

He looked up at Gee, seeing the sad look on his best friend's face.

"But she said I can still have you and Patrick stay over, so we can watch movies and eat pizza.."

Something occurred to him then. He looked around

"Where is Patrick?"

Gee snorted slightly, amazed that it'd taken Frankie this long to realise that Pat wasn't there.

"He's sick. Got what you had."

He looked at the ground, his fingers twisting in the bottom of his Rolling Stones shirt.

"So it's just you and me."

He looked up nervously, a small smile on his lips.
He didn't know why he was nervous, they'd known each other since Kindergarten, and had had loads of sleepovers, just the two of them. So why were his palms all sweaty right now?

"That's cool.."

Frankie said with a grin.

"We don't get to hang out just the two of us much anymore. It'll be fun."

Just then, Linda, Frankie's mum, came through from the kitchen.

"Oh, hello Gee. I didn't hear the doorbell."

She smiled at him.

"How have you been? Not had this bug that Frankie had, have you?"

Gee shook his head.

"No, I'm ok. But Patrick's got it, so he couldn't come."

"Aww. That's too bad."

Linda sighed, then brightened.

"Oh well, more pizza and ice cream for you two then."
She grinned, turning back toward the kitchen.

"Why don't you put on a movie, and I'll get you boys some drinks and snacks."

"Thanks mom."

Frankie called before grabbing Gee's wrist and pulling him to the sofa. As they flopped down, Gee pointed to the presents.

"Open them first."

Frankie grinned and picked up the black and silver box, with "To Frankie, Happy B.Day, from Pat!" in neat silver writing on the top.
Carefully he unwrapped the paper. His mother was a stickler for trying to save nice wrapping paper, and then reusing it, though Frankie thought that was kinda dumb.
Putting the paper to one side, he looked at the picture on the box, and his eyes lit up.

"Oh my God!.. He remembered!"

The box showed a picture of a pair of heelys. They were mostly black, with red highlights, and white skulls all over the fabric. Frankie had seen them when the three boys had gone to the mall about a month ago. He was shocked that Patrick had bought them for him.
He turned, grinning to Gee.

"Look. It's the ones I wanted."

Gee giggled.

"Yeah, they're cool."

He nodded.
Frankie grinned at him then put the box down and grabbed the bag that was from his best friend.

"I always save the best til last."

Frankie grinned as he opened the bag and delved inside. Gee blushed at the comment, but didn't answer. He was nervous about Frankie's reaction to his gift.

Inside the bag was a hard backed notebook.
Frankie pulled it out and studied the picture on the front. It was a beautiful, hand drawn image of Frankie, dressed in his Frankenstein costume from last Halloween.

"You.. You drew this?!"

Frankie breathed out, his voice filled with awe.

"It's amazing!"

Gee blushed, dropping his head to hide in his hair.
Frankie carefully opened the book, and was shocked to see picture after picture after picture of the two of them, or Frankie on his own, or them with Patrick.. It was like a photo album filled with snapshots of their adventures together over the years, but each picture had been painstakingly drawn by Gee's own hand.
Frankie turned slowly toward his friend, eyes wide and lined with tears.

"My God Gee!.. This must've taken you forever!"

He looked down at the book in his hands, his cheeks now becoming wet.

"It's the best present I ever got."

Frankie put the book down and wrapped his arms around Gee's body, pulling him into a tight hug.

"Thank you."

He whispered in Gee's ear, his warm breath ghosting Gee's cold skin, and causing him to shiver.
Gee hugged Frankie back, just holding him close. He wished they could stay like this forever.

"M..my pleasure."

Gee mumbled.
All too soon, the hug ended as Linda returned with drinks and snacks.
She marvelled at Frankie's presents, especially the book, and Gee's artwork, then said she was going out for a bit, and would bring back pizza when she returned.
Then she left, and the boys were alone.

"What movie do you wanna watch first?"

Gee asked quietly, still a little flustered from all the praise he'd received on the book.
Frankie grinned wide.

"I've got just the one!"

He reached under the sofa, and pulled out a brand new DVD box. Gee looked at the cover and shuddered. It was The Grudge, original version, and Gee knew he was going to hate it, cos he really wasn't good with scary movies. But it was Frankie's birthday, and Gee would do anything to make his best friend happy. He sighed, and smiled softly.

"Ok Frankie, put it in."

Frankie squeaked with excitement and rushed over to set up the DVD, then went and closed the curtains, plunging them into near darkness.
Gee braced himself for what was to come, but he didn't realise just how close Frankie would decide to sit to him, or just how awkwardly turned on that would make him.
Gee was in for a long, and uncomfortable night.. And he didn't know it, but so was Frankie, as he was just as aroused by Gee's closeness, and neither of them could move away without the other questioning it.
As they sat side by side, their legs pulled up to hide the bulges in their skinny jeans, both boys were thinking the exact same thing..

I wish he liked me the way I like him.

This was going to be a very awkward night indeed.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks.. How's you?..

So this rewrite is gonna be quite different from the original, and the chapters are going to be conciderably longer than before, as I'm not writing this alone anymore.

We hope you enjoy this new version, and subscribe if you haven't already.

Til next time.. Comment and peace out!
<3 Love ya!