Gerard kissed my forehead softly. He'd obviously talked to the nurse, as she was explaining everything she was doing.
“I'm going to put a drip in one arm and the medication lead in the other, okay? You can lay down or sit up, but you'll probably start to feel nauseous fairly quickly. Gerard will help you with everything, he's good at this.”
“I know,” I smiled, trying to keep my outward calm, but my fingers were trembling.
“I'm putting the drip needle in now, take a deep breath..”
I bit my lip and winced as the needle went in, then sat still as she slid the other needle into my other arm.
“There you go..” She flicked a switch near my head and Gerard grabbed my hand, squeezing it gently. “I've started the treatment, try and relax, Frank. I'll be back in an hour.”
I listened to her walk out, then turned to Gerard.
“I know you're scared, Frankie,” he murmured, before I could say anything. “Why don't you lay down for a bit?”
I nodded, carefully lowering myself to the bed and curling up. “What's the time?”
“It's nearly three, sweetie, Mikey will be here soon,” Gerard said softly, running his fingers through my hair as he laid down facing me, his other hand on my side.
I grabbed at his shirt gently, running my fingers over the collar. He was wearing scrubs. “Gee..?”
“Mhm?”
“Are you working today?”
Gerard sighed softly and moved closer to me, resting his forehead against mine. “Yeah, I have a shift that starts at seven tonight, and I didn't know if I'd have time to change.”
I frowned, reaching over and wrapping my arm around him shakily. “You won't be home tonight?”
Gerard kissed my cheek, carefully pulling me against his chest. “No, sweetie. Mikey is gonna take you home with him. He’ll stay with you and I'll pick you up in the morning.”
I sighed softly and nodded. “Okay, Gee.”
“I'm sorry.”
I smiled slightly and snuggled up to him, holding onto him tightly. “It's not your fault. When do you know if you passed yesterday?”
Gerard hugged me loosely, kissing my cheek. “I'm hoping they'll tell me tonight, and then I might get placed tomorrow.”
I closed my eyes, letting my breathing slow and even out.
“Are you falling asleep?” Gerard laughed quietly, taking one of my hands and lacing our fingers.
“I was,” I mumbled, not opening my eyes.
“Sorry, I'll be quiet,” he whispered, kissing my forehead and letting me nod off again.
I was woken what must have been only a couple minutes later when Mikey opened the door and stepped into the room. “Frankie?”
Gerard shushed him softly, sitting up carefully. I yawned, grabbing onto Gerard and pulling myself up against him, using his shoulder as a headrest. He wrapped an arm around me automatically as Mikey sat down on the edge of the bed and took my hand, stroking his thumb over my knuckles. “How do you feel?”
I shrugged slightly. “Tired. I'm starting to feel a little gross, but mostly just groggy.”
Gerard kissed my cheek. “Any nausea yet?”
I shook my head and yawned again, nuzzling his neck. Mikey sighed, sounding worried.
“You’ll be okay, Frankie,” Gerard said firmly, but I figured it was more for Mikey’s benefit than mine. Pain shot through my stomach suddenly and I winced, curling up slightly. Gerard rubbed my back calmly, but held me a little tighter. “Does it hurt?”
I nodded slightly, not daring to speak as the nausea flooded through me. I felt like I was on a boat, the bed rocking under me. Gerard managed to grab the basin and hand it to me just as I threw up, heaving and retching.
“Oh baby..” He soothed, playing with the hair on the back of my neck. “It's alright. There's not much to throw up anyway.”
I tried to sit up properly, but as soon as I moved, the nausea was back and I vomited again, my body trying to force me to throw up without anything in my stomach. Gerard wiped my mouth with a damp cloth and set the basin aside, pulling me into a tight hug. “Shh, baby. Shh...I'm here.”
I clung to him shakily, starting to sob softly as pain settled down in my stomach, dull and constant.
“Frank, it's gonna be okay,” Mikey said quietly, but he seemed unsure and frightened.
“It's not..” I moaned quietly, in between now fading sobs. Gerard shushed me, rocking me slightly. “Shh, Frankie. It will. You're more than halfway through this, and I know how strong you are, baby. Just keep taking deep breaths.”
I nodded and buried my face in his neck, digging my nails into his back as a wave of nausea broke over me.

I didn't remember much of the last half hour of treatment afterwards, but it had consisted mainly of crying and nausea, constant nausea. Now Gerard was holding my hand as I lay quietly, half asleep. He was talking to Mikey softly, about his day. I tuned in a little more when I heard my name.
“I just don't know how to help, Gee.”
Gerard sighed. “Mikes, all you have to do is hold his hand and be there. I know you're worried and you don't know what's going to happen, but you need to encourage him. He can't do this on his own.”
“I love him, Gee, but I'm not good at this stuff.”
“Then sit here and hold his hand and talk him through a movie or something. Treating him like he's gonna die or he's infectious or something will make him feel so so much worse. Treat him normally, just with a little more care and a little more love. That's all.”
Mikey paused before he spoke again. “I just hope I can be there for him as well as you can.”
At this point, I simply couldn't stay awake any longer and I slipped into a deep sleep.

---

Gerard was laying behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist tightly. His chin was tucked over my shoulder, his whole body pressed to mine as we listened to the audiobook together.
“How do you feel this evening?” Gerard asked softly. He'd been asleep all day after a night shift, and I’d spent some time with Mikey, walking around the shops and getting some new clothes.
“A lot better. Did you get your placement today?”
Gerard nodded slightly. “Mhm. I'm in the ER, which is where I wanted to be. I'm good under pressure, or at least better than a lot of other nurses.”
I stroked his arm slowly, shifting slightly. “Do you want to celebrate?”
Gerard kissed the side of my neck briefly. “What do you mean?”
I took one of his hands, sliding it down my body, just a little lower. He chuckled and moved it back up, but slowly. “If you want to, then we’re doing it slowly and properly. I don't want to rush things with you, it's not right.”
I nodded slightly, a lump rising in my throat. “Okay.”
He nuzzled my neck gently, trailing a finger down my bare spine. “What do you want to do, baby boy?”
I swallowed hard, trying to sound confident. “I want to go all the way, Gee.”
He hesitated, then kissed the back of my neck. “Are you sure, little one?”
I nodded again, my hands shaking slightly. “I just...how?”
Gerard purred softly, hugging me tightly. “There's three ways. You could top me and use either y’know, dealer’s choice, or you could bottom for me..”
I blinked, shivering a little. I wasn't at home in this area, I wasn't as experienced sexually as I liked to imply. I was embarrassed. “H-how?”
“I have a strap on,” Gerard said quietly, brushing his knuckles over my cheek. “I'd like you to pick what you'd find most comfortable.”
I blushed deeply and sighed. “Can I top?”
“Of course, baby…”
Gerard ran his hand across my stomach slowly, kissing the back of my neck and moving across to the side, sucking and licking and biting ever so gently. I let my eyes slip closed, my head tilting away from him. He nipped a little harder than usual just as he slipped his hand under my boxers, stroking me slowly. I whimpered and shivered, his other hand spread over my stomach. “You're so sexy, Frankie...I wish you could see yourself, baby. You're so beautiful..”
I whined, thrusting up into his hand impatiently, already almost hard. “G-Gee..”
“I know, sweetie. I'm here..”
He let go of me carefully and I sat up immediately, rolling him over onto his back and straddling his hips. Gerard chuckled, continuing to stroke me frustratingly slowly as I fumbled with his pajama pants, finally managing to get them off after a couple minutes. I very gently pushed Gerard's hand away and lifted his legs, smiling at him nervously. “Do you have..uh..”
Gerard sat up and I heard him tear a packet, kissing me softly as he rolled the condom over my length carefully. I deepened the kiss, pushing him down slowly as he smoothed lube over me as well, his fingers delicate. I pushed his legs up again impatiently, feeling around carefully to find the right area before slowly starting to push in. Gerard's back arched and he groaned quietly, clinging to my sides as I filled him up, smiling down at him. I wasn't nervous anymore, too lost in the moment to worry. I started to pull out slowly and Gerard tapped my side gently. “Baby, I think this might be easier if I get on my stomach. Yeah?”
I nodded slightly, pulling out and letting him turn over before grabbing his hips aggressively and shoving myself all the way into him again. Gerard cried out, shaking as he fell onto the bed. “F-fuck that's good..”
I grinned and put one hand on the small of his back, the other on his hip, and started to pound him as hard as I could, making him squeal with each and every thrust.
Gerard panted softly, holding me against his chest. “That was amazing, Frankie.”
I nuzzled him happily, feeling myself blush. “I'm glad you liked it.”
He purred quietly, rubbing my back. “I think that's the best sex I've ever had, sweetie. Most guys don't know what to do with me, but you just didn't care.”
I giggled, enjoying the feeling of sweat evaporating off my chest. “I wanna fuck you like that every day.”
Gerard hummed softly. “Next time, I wanna take charge. My turn. I'm gonna show you some fun.”
I rolled over onto my stomach, wriggling so my chest was against his and our legs tangled together as he laid on his back comfortably.
“Sounds great.”
“Frank, your junk is um..”
“Right between your legs?” I giggled, grinning at him. “Good.”
He sighed loudly. “Fuck, you can't still be horny? I'm fucking exhausted.”
“That's cause you're an old man,” I teased. Gerard laughed, slapping my ass lightly.
“Mhm. Next time you wanna pound me through the mattress, I'll remember that you called me an old man.”
“Please, Gee?”
He sighed, stroking my hair back from my face. “No, I'm sorry baby. I really am exhausted and I have to go to work in an hour. Can we just cuddle for a while?”
I frowned, but nodded, shifting so I was laying diagonally, my chest on his and my legs against the bed.
“I'm sorry, Frankie, really..”
I kissed him briefly. “I know, and it's alright. I love you, y'know.”
“I love you too..” Gerard murmured, stroking my back slowly. “I could do with another kiss, I think.”
I giggled quietly and took his cheeks in my hands, kissing him confidently and happily. He tangled his fingers in my hair, drawing me closer to him as he kissed me, still holding me tightly.

Notes

sorry this chapter didn't have a title name for so long, I was in a rush this morning :/