The Blind Leading The Blind

Gerard kept his hand on my back, walking me through the door. “Home sweet home. My shift patterns should keep me okay for driving you to school and picking you up for at least a week.”
I nodded, trying to grab his hand and missing. He chuckled softly, taking my hand gently. “Do you want a tour?”
I nodded. “Please.”
It was a little embarrassing, letting Gerard lead me around. I touched everything, feeling where everything was. I noted where there was carpet and where there was linoleum. I counted doors, I ran my hands over cupboards, all to make myself a little plan in my head. I needed to know where I was so I could get to somewhere. I knew I'd get lost a few times, but it was part of the learning process.
After almost half an hour, Gerard and I sat down on the sofa, my hand still in his.
“Gerard?”
“You can call me Gee, y’know. If you want to.”
I leaned my head on his shoulder. “Okay. Um...can I sleep with you tonight? Like in your bed? I just...I don't want to be alone.”
Gerard let go of my hand and my sudden panic was brought to a halt as he touched my cheek, his thumb brushing over my cheekbone as he let me lean on his hand. “Of course, hon. You can stay with me as often as you need to.”
I smiled slightly, kissing his hand. “Thank you.”
He leaned forward and kissed my forehead softly. “You're welcome.”
I tilted my head up slightly and he stroked his thumb over my cheekbone again.
“Fuck it.”
Gerard leaned in and I felt his lips against mine, a little chapped and bitten, but gentle and caring. It took me a couple seconds to remember to kiss back, my hand slipping into his hair. He broke away first, breathing a little heavily. I smiled shyly, feeling the blush heat my cheeks. “Gee...I'm..”
“I'm sorry,” Gerard blurted out quickly. “I'm sorry, that was inappropriate and...I'm sorry.”
I giggled and kissed his jaw softly, letting my hand run down the back of his neck and over his shoulder. “Please don't be sorry. I loved it.”
He tensed and I heard his breath hitch before he grabbed me, kissing me again, this time with a little more passion. I matched it, spreading my fingers on his cheeks and climbing half into his lap. He was the first to break away, again.
Gerard panted for a couple breaths, then pulled me into a tight hug, rubbing my back. “I'm never gonna let anyone hurt you,” he mumbled, holding me close as I wrapped my arms around him and buried my face in his neck happily.

“What?!”
I laughed, glancing towards the bedroom door. “He's at work now...but yeah, he kissed me.”
Mikey laughed quietly. “Yep. He's always been one to go for what he wants. He likes you, Frankie. Just don't let it go too fast, okay?”
“But it's been so long,” I whined, trying to annoy him now. “I really want a nice big fat-”
“Alright! That's enough!” Mikey shouted, pretending to be horrified. “Anyway, Gerard isn't much of a top.”
“How the fuck do you know that?” I giggled, running a hand through my hair.
“Okay, well we share a wall, Frankie,” Mikey chuckled. “I can hear everything.”
“Dude, I'm sorry. That's creepy,” I hummed. “I don't think I'd want to listen to my brother...if I had one, y’know...do you not want me to talk about-”
“No, no, it's fine, Frank. We always talk about this stuff. I talk about girls to you, so it's only fair you talk to me about guys. Besides, I like to know how you're doing.”
“So you can make sure I'm safe?” I teased, getting up and wandering around the room, running my fingertips along the wall.
“Yeah. And that you're treating my brother well,” he said quietly, sounding dead serious.
“Wait, what? You know I'd never hurt him, Mikey.”
“I know, I just...there's stuff he hasn't told you and it worries me. I'm allowed to worry about him, he's dumb sometimes.”
“So are you,” I muttered.
“This is not one of those times. He's more vulnerable than you think.”
“If you say so. Anyway, I gotta go, I have some homework to do, and I think he’ll be home soon.”
“Wait, um...how fast do you think this is going to go?” Mikey asked quietly, sounding worried.
“Mikey, I know you're worried about us, but Gerard isn't pushing me and I'm not going to push him. It’ll go as fast as it goes. I think you need to give him a little more credit. And I wish someone would just tell me what this is instead of telling me I need to be careful of it.”
Mikey sighed loudly. “I wish I could, but it's not my place to tell you. Ask him. And be nice to my brother.”
He hung up and I rolled my eyes. “So dramatic,” I mumbled to myself, unzipping my backpack and getting out my books and laptop. I worked for about an hour before I got thirsty and got up, heading into the kitchen for a drink. I managed to find the right cupboard, but as I reached up to grab a glass, my hand brushed one of them that must have been on the edge, and it tumbled out, smashing on the floor. “Fuck!”
I bit my lip, shaking slightly. Gerard is going to be angry.
I shook my head quickly, crouching down and trying to clear the glass up. “Ow...shit..” I sniffed, trying to ignore the thoughts lining up to tell me how useless I was and how angry Gerard would be. I heard a car door slam outside and frantically tried to get all the shards in my hand, barely aware that I was crying. The front door opened.
“Hey Frank,” Gerard called out quietly. “Where are you?”
I sniffed, trying to stay quiet in the vain hope that maybe he wouldn't notice. I heard his footsteps coming closer and he gasped, dropping something. “Fuck, Frankie!”
He hurried over, grabbing at my wrists. I started to sob, trembling all over. “I'm so so sorry,” I whimpered, shaking. “I didn't mean to..”
“Shit..come on, stand up.”
“I'm sorry, I'm sorry..”
“Shh, I don't care about the glass, sweetie. It's fine, okay? You didn't do anything wrong. I'm worried about your hands, they're all cut up. Can you just take some deep breaths and calm down for me? I'm not angry, I promise. I'm just worried.”
I sniffed, trying to do as he said, but still shaking. “I'm sorry..” I said again, and he laughed softly, kissing my cheek. “Don't be. Accidents happen. Can you take a couple steps back? I'm gonna clean this up and then we’ll sort your hands out, okay?”
I nodded, stepping back and whimpering softly.
“I'm sorry.”
Gerard sighed, and I could hear him sweeping up the glass. “You should have just left it, Frankie.”
“I was scared you'd be angry..” I mumbled, turning my head away.
“Frankie, I’d never be angry with you over an accident, okay? I know it's hard for you being in a new place, cause you don't know where things are. Next time, maybe you should use a mug, yeah? It's a little easier.”
I nodded slightly, feeling the blood drip from my fingers, hot and wet and sticky. “It hurts.”
“Shit, I know, sweetie, I know.”
He put the glass in the bin and gently took my wrists, leading me over to the sink. “C’mere, it's a bit easier to see. You stand right here and I'll go get my glasses.”
I waited quietly, knowing I was dripping into the sink now. Gerard seemed perfectly calm, in his element. He walked back to me, rubbing my back slowly. “Alright. I'm just gonna try and rinse your hands a little, it might hurt.”
I heard the tap turn on and gasped as the cold water flowed over the cuts, making me whimper as it stung. He rubbed my back again, turning the tap off. “Alright. You stay still, I'm gonna pull this glass out, okay?”
I nodded slightly, sniffling as Gerard cleaned up the cuts. “A couple of these are gonna need stitches I think, sweetie. I'm gonna take you to the hospital, okay? I can do it, but it's gonna hurt cause I don't have any local anesthetic. I'm gonna wrap your hands up and we’re gonna go. I'll call ahead, okay?”
I nodded again, shivering. Gerard leaned over, kissing my cheek softly. “You're okay. I've got you..” He started to wrap my hands in soft material, being careful not to hurt me. I leaned my head on his chest, trying to stop crying.
“Okay. All done..” He murmured, walking me over to the sofa. “You sit down for a minute while I go make the call and get changed. I won't be a second.”
I sat down and went quiet, trying to dry my cheeks on my shirt sleeves. I didn't hear Gerard walk back to me, and jumped when he touched my shoulder. “You ready, Frankie?”
I nodded and stood up shakily, leaning into him as he wrapped an arm around my waist and led me out to the car. He helped me into the passenger seat before climbing in behind the wheel and starting the car immediately. “Try and stay calm, it's gonna be okay.”
Gerard put his hand on my leg, keeping it there as he drove in silence. I was still somewhat in shock, shaking slightly and barely able to feel the pain.
“Why did you think I'd be angry with you?” Gerard asked sadly, after a minute or two of silence.
“Because most people I know would have been.”
“Mikey wouldn't, Mum wouldn't...are you saying your mom would have been?”
I nodded, shifting slightly and leaning my head on the window. “Yeah.”
“Well, I'm not her,” Gerard said firmly. “I will never be angry with you over an accident. I promise.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
He sighed quietly, moving his hand to rub my shoulder. “You don't need to thank me, yeah? It's just common human decency..”
I sniffed and didn't reply, feeling the car turn into what I assumed to be a parking lot. Gerard pulled into a space and turned the car off. “You wait, I'll come get you.”
I nodded, waiting patiently as Gerard got out of the car and walked around to the passenger side. He opened the door for me and unbuckled my seatbelt, then lifted me out of the car carefully, setting me on my feet. “Alright. You okay?”
I smiled slightly. “I'm okay.”
Gerard walked me into the hospital, his arm linked with mine. We walked into a large room with lots of people, but as soon as we went to the desk, we were sent into a much smaller room. Gerard shut the door behind us and helped me onto the bench, starting to unwrap my hands slowly and carefully.
“The doctor will be in in a second, okay? He's really nice, I've worked with him before.”
I shivered. “Where are we? It's cold in here.”
“We’re in urgent care, hon. I'd give you my coat, but I didn't bring one, I'm sorry.”
“I'm gonna freeze to death and it'll be your fault,” I giggled, and he kissed my forehead softly.
“I don't think I'll be able to live with myself,” he grinned, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. I leaned my head on his chest, sniffling.
The door opened suddenly, making me jump, and Gerard moved away slightly, keeping a hand on my shoulder.
“Hey, Gerard,” said a cheerful man’s voice. I took a deep breath and sat quietly.
“Hey, Pete, how are you?”
“I'm okay, it's been a while. Who's this?”
Gerard cleared his throat awkwardly. “He's a friend, he's staying with me for a while. Frank, this is Pete Wentz, I worked with him when I was working in the ER.”
“I'd shake your hand, but uh...maybe not,” Pete chuckled quietly. “What happened here?”
He was talking to me and not Gerard now, so I switched gears, turning to face him. “I dropped a glass and I tried to clean it up, but it didn't work out so well.”
“Yeah, it's hard when you can't see it, huh?”
There was a brief, uncomfortable pause.
“Sorry..” Pete mumbled. “I've had a few blind patients before, I'm used to recognizing it..”
“Oh. That's fine,” I smiled, relaxing slightly. “It's a bit of a giveaway when you can't really make eye contact.”
Pete chuckled. “Yep. That's the killer, huh? Alright, Frank. I'm gonna have to give you a few stitches, so I'm going to put some of this cream stuff on and it'll numb your skin. It might hurt while I'm putting it on, but it'll be okay.”
I nodded, trying to figure out the little sounds I could hear. Gerard kissed the side of my head, trying to comfort me.
“How old are you, Frank?” Pete asked, starting to smooth the cream over my hands, around the cuts.
“Seventeen. Eighteen in a few months,” I mumbled, wincing a couple times. Gerard gripped my shoulder a little tighter.
“That's cool. Are you just finishing high school, then?”
“Yep, I take my finals next week.”
“That's awesome, what subjects?”
He was fiddling with something, and suddenly I could feel him tugging at my skin, but it didn't hurt.
“AP literature, AP German, government, PE, AP psychology, and AP art history.”
“Jeez. You're better at school than I was. Have you taken all those AP exams yet?”
I nodded, feeling Gerard sit down behind me, his hand on my side.
“Yeah, but I don't get my results for a while yet.”
“How d’you think they went?” Pete asked, starting on my other hand.
“There was a diagram thing in the AP psych exam where you had to label the parts of a neuron. I don't think that went too well..”
Gerard chuckled, kissing the back of my neck discreetly.
“I don't think I’d do too well on that section anyway,” Pete grinned, finishing up and starting to wrap my hands again. “I'm not good with diagrams.”
“Me neither,” I giggled, shaking my head.
“Well, you're all done, Frank. Just be careful, Gerard will keep an eye on those stitches. Don't get them wet for a couple days, and I'm sure he’ll take them out for you when they're ready.”
Gerard nodded, slipping off the bench to stand up. “Thanks Pete.”
I waved as Gerard helped me out of the room, leaning against him a little more than usual as he led me to the car.
“Let's go home and watch some tv or something, yeah? I have some ice cream in the freezer.”

Notes

I didn't mean to update twice in one day, but I'm going out early tomorrow (4:30) and I probably won't be back home until the evening, so I figured I'd get it out of the way tonight and I don't have to worry about it tomorrow :)