Surrender The Night (Frerard)

Frank was surprised that Gerard was actually cleaning up his wounds for him, Gerard could tell. He was interested to hear what had happened to the boy, and he felt oddly protective over him. Maybe it was the fact that he had taught him History every year since he could remember, maybe it was the fact that he only came up to most people's shoulders. He didn't know. But the sharp intake of breath gave Frank's shock away when Gerard leaned in inches away from Frank's face and began to dab carefully at the blood. Frank winced in pain, but squared his jaw and held strong, refusing to let the pain show too clearly.

"Well." Frank spoke shakily, ignoring the stinging on the side of his face. He didn't want to breathe too much because of how close Gerard was to his face. "I was just having a drink, and out of nowhere I get surrounded and pounced on for no reason!" Frank joked, trying to make it seem less serious than it really was. He only realised his mistake when Gerard pulled back and frowned at him, concern etched into his features.

"You were ... Drinking? Aren't you a little young to be drinking? Seventeen right?" He checked, starting to worry about Frank. He wasn't stupid; he knew most people Frank's age drank and smoked and did things he would never have done at their age, but he worried nonetheless.

"Yeah." Frank confirmed. "But I know a guy who doesn't ask questions, y'know." By the look on Gerard's face, Frank had said totally the wrong thing just then and he cursed himself. Him and his big mouth. "I'm fine though!" He hurried to say. Gerard didn't believe him for a second.

"Did you recognise any of them?" Gerard questioned, deciding to change to subject. Frank shook his head and squeezed his eyes shut tightly as the pain shot through his head. "Stay still." Gerard muttered, his breath fanning across Frank's face. But Frank couldn't stay still. He was nervous, on edge and confused as to what he was still doing here. His leg twitched, his toes and heel hitting the bathroom floor, and Gerard groaned in annoyance. Frank's eyes widened a little at the groan, but more at the effect it had on him. And then, as if that wasn't enough, Gerard reached out a hand and gripped the side of Frank's face gently, not enough to hurt him but enough to keep his head steady. Frank froze, not exactly scared. Gerard's fingertips were warm.

"Has this happened before, Frank?" Gerard murmured, squinting and sticking his tongue out the side of his mouth subconsciously as he concentrated on cleaning Frank's face up. Frank was trying to concentrate on anything but the proximity of him and his teacher, and his teacher's tongue sticking out of his mouth so, so close to Frank that if he just leaned forwards a little bit -

"No!" Frank lied, but it sounded weak and false to his own ears and he knew Mr Way didn't believe him. He didn't push it.

"Would you like me to drive you home after this?" Gerard asked, and was slightly alarmed when Frank practically exploded in front of him, his eyes wide and terrified.

"No!" He all but yelled. "My mom can't see me like this! Please?" He begged and Gerard nodded.

"Okay, okay, calm Frank." The teacher soothed. "You don't have to go home if you really don't want to. I suppose you can stay in the spare room, if you want?" Gerard was just as surprised by his offer as Frank was. He had no idea why he had just said that, but now it was out there he couldn't take it back. And he didn't want to either.

"Mr Way, it's fine. I don't want to be a bother -"
"Nonsense, Frank." He was cut off. "It's almost midnight. It wouldn't be responsible for me to let you leave now, and if you don't want to go home - well. The safest thing would be for you to stay here." Gerard concluded. "You can sleep in the spare room down the hall."
Frank found himself nodding before his mouth could say anything it regretted. Then a ridiculous thought struck him and he found himself smiling a little.

"I think you'll have missed The Wolfman by now, sir. I'm sorry." To his delight, Mr Way laughed a little, his eyes crinkling up and his mouth lifting up on one side.

"Don't worry; it's a horror movie marathon. You wanna watch?" Gerard offered, and Frank nodded happily. Gerard, pleased with his work now that Frank was no longer bleeding, pulled away just a tiny bit. He looked up into Frank's eyes and saw for the first time how nice they were. He didn't care that he was staring; at least not until Frank made a small sound in the back of his throat did what Gerard was actually doing hit him like a punch in the stomach.

"Oh my God!" He gasped, turning bright red. "Frank, I'm so sorry! That was totally innapropriate. I should never - that was - I'm so sorry Frank." He choked out, eyes downcast. Frank wanted to reach out and lift his chin with his fingers... What? No he didn't! This was his teacher!

"No! Sir, it's fine. Honestly." Frank assured. "But I - I might give the film a miss. I'm really tired, actually."

Gerard nodded, still confused with his behaviour.

"Down the hall, second room on the right. You can get ready in here if you want." He said, getting up and leaving, closing the door softly behind him and swallowing. The idea of a horror movie marathon and cold pizza - for the first time in his life - suddenly didn't appeal to him.

Notes

Soo. Any good? <3