~Gerard~
Mikey nearly tripped over the flat carpet as he dashed into the house.
“Mikey, shoes!” I snapped, noticing the mud he was tracking through the hall. He stopped and stared at me for a couple seconds, then started to untie his shoes.
“What's wrong?” I asked, getting up from my chair to get something to clean the mud up with.
“Frank's mom slapped him!”
I froze, then turned to face Mikey slowly. “What?”
He leaned back against the wall and slid down it, sitting on the floor. “I knew she was neglecting him, that's why I invite him over and buy him food and stuff, but I didn't know...I went over to study and he'd texted her asking if it was okay, I read the conversation. She said it was fine and everything, and then when we got there, she kicked me out and as I was leaving, I saw her hit him through the window.”
I felt my fists clench as my mouth dried up. “Was he okay?”
“I think so. She didn't knock him over.”
I stared at the floor, blinking. “What should we do?”
Mikey sighed and rubbed his eyes. “What can we do? He's not gonna tell me anything, and he loves her.”
I sat down at the table again, not really looking at anything. I felt so sorry for Frank, scared and alone at home. He would never see any of the blows coming, he'd never be able to get out of the way in time. I scratched at the table with the nail of my index finger, chewing on my lip.
“Gerard, don't do that,” Mikey sighed quietly, leaning his head back against the wall. “Mum would know what to do.”
I shook my head quickly. “No, don't involve her. Not just yet. I want to talk to Frank about this.”
“I'll try too,” Mikey mumbled, looking at me worriedly. “He’ll be okay, Gerard. I know you're scared and upset, but he knows how to handle himself.”

---

I got out of my car, hurrying towards the figure. The rain was heavy and thick, hard to see through, but the cane was a giveaway. I broke into a run, catching his shoulder. “Frank!”
He stopped dead, staring at the ground.
“Frank, hon. I gotta talk to you, is there somewhere we can go?”
He nodded, taking my hand carefully and walking me inside the building calmly. He sat me down in a side hallway, taking off his backpack before sitting on the floor and looking at me expectantly.
“Frank, Mikey...Mikey said he got thrown out of your place last night...and he says he saw your mom slap you. Is that true?”
Frank took his coat off, shaking the excess water off. “Yes,” he answered shortly.
“What's going on? Are you alright?”
“Yes.”
The white sleeves of his shirt were soaked through, and I could see a dark bruise through the material. I grabbed his arm and rolled the sleeve up. “Frank, you have a huge bruise here!”
“I fell down the stairs,” he said, jerking his arm away. “I have to go to class.”
He got up, starting to gather his things. I jumped up and pulled him into a hug. “I'm here if you need anything, Frankie,” I murmured, squeezing him gently. He pulled away carefully and started off down the hall, his cane tapping the floor lightly.

Mikey called me on his way home from school.
“I tried to ask him and he just clammed up. He's coming over tonight for dinner, but he's not happy about it. He told me he fell down the stairs, but I don't believe it.”
“It looks defensive to me,” I said quietly, starting to unpack a box. “Like he was holding his arms over his head, y’know?”
Mikey took a deep breath. “I know you were against it before, but I think we need to tell Mum. I know you're an adult and everything, but this needs like...a real adult. With experience.”
“Yeah, okay. I'll come over for dinner as well, I think Frank needs all the friends he can get right now, poor thing.”
Mikey paused. “Gee?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you like him?”
I took a minute to think about it, humming quietly. “Yes, I do. It's just a little crush right now, but I think it could be more. He's sweet and kind. And adorable. Why?”
“Because you haven't told him yet. If you want to date-”
“Full disclosure, I know. But you told me he was okay on Monday.”
“I told you he seemed okay. And I don't think he'd hurt you anyway, I just want..I want you to get into the habit.”
I sighed and rubbed the side of my face. “Mikey, I love you, but butt out. I'll be fine. I know how to take care of myself and I know how to test the water.”
“Okay. I love you too.”

Notes

I think the next chapter that has Gee's POV is chapter 16 so enjoy this lol...and yes I have written 16 and a half chapters ahead, that's almost 36,000 words...I write too fast I think...