G
I found Frank curled up in a supply closet, crying his eyes out and hugging his knees. He was rocking himself back and forth slowly, whispering something under his breath. I knelt down in front of him, stroking his shin. “Frankie?”
He scrambled out of his corner and flung his arms around my neck, burying his face in my shoulder.
“I can't go, Gee!”
“I know, Frankie, I know. You're not going anywhere right now, I promise. I'll call my parents and we’ll try and keep you here or something. We need to talk to social services and-”
“Why?” Frank sniffed, looking at me despairingly. “They've never cared about what I wanted..”
I sighed and kissed his forehead softly. “We will figure something out, Frankie. I promise you. I didn't know you were religious,” I added, trying to lighten the mood. He giggled through his tears.
“No, Chris kind of is. I dunno. I just got mad..”
“Well, either way, you denounced God pretty effectively.”
Frank was laughing now, laughing uncontrollably as he curled against my chest. I chuckled and rubbed his back slowly, resting my chin on the top of his head. I knew the feeling; it was either laugh or cry or just curl up in a ball and drown in the pain. I held him until he calmed down, rocking him slowly. “It's gonna be alright, Frankie.”

I watched as Frank curled up next to Chris. He looked smaller than usual, his eyes and cheeks still red from crying. Jackie and Chuck had gone out for lunch, and I'd urged Frank to try and take a nap. He'd complained that it was impossible to sleep in the little plastic chairs, so I'd helped him onto the bed. I hated seeing him like this, so helpless and afraid. He closed his eyes and I stroked his side slowly, watching him drift off.
The door swung open a few minutes later and Ricky slipped in. I glanced up at him. “Shh, he just fell asleep..”
Ricky nodded and jerked his head towards the door. “Can I talk to you?”
I nodded quickly and kissed Frank's cheek as I got up, checking he was still asleep before I walked out. Ricky sighed quietly, leaning against the wall.
“I just spent the last two hours arguing with social services.”
“And?” I asked, biting my lip lightly. Ricky winced.
“They won't budge. They think he should go with Chris to Pennsylvania, and the hospital don't have a problem with moving him. It's fucked up. Really fucked up, but I don't think we can change it.”
I stared at the ground, trying not to start trembling. “How am I supposed to tell Frank that he has to go and there's nothing I can do? How am I supposed to tell the guy I love that he has to move states away from me? I can't..”
Ricky leaned over, rubbing my shoulder slowly. “I understand. I can't go with Chris because of my job. I'm gonna miss him so so badly...the only thing I can tell you is that when he wakes up, there's gonna be fucking trouble. He knows how much you and Frank mean to each other, and how fragile you both are. I wouldn't be surprised if he never talks to his parents again. I just hope he wakes up soon, but it could be anywhere from two weeks to years.”
“You're really good at comforting people, Ricky,” I mumbled bitterly. He sighed.
“No, I'm not. I'm sorry.”

---

I kissed Frank, pulling his body against mine. I'd worn his favorite of my outfits, my cropped sweatshirt with the pink skirt and cat tights. I tangled my fingers in his hair, holding him as he kissed me so deeply we could barely breathe. As soon as he broke away, I pulled him into a hug, stroking his hair slowly. “I love you, Frankie. I love you..”
He sniffed, rubbing my back slowly. “I love you too, Gerard. So so much..”
I gently pulled away from him, knowing my makeup was ruined as tears spilled down my cheeks. “Here..” I unclipped the key necklace from around my neck, instead fastening it around his. “You have it. Now and forever; the key to my heart. I want you to keep it,” I said quickly, before he could protest. “I took the bird off. That's mine.”
Frank smiled, tears streaming down his cheeks and dripping off his chin. “I'm gonna miss you.”
“I'm gonna miss you too, Frankie. But you gotta live your life, love.”
“So do you.”
I nodded and kissed him again, sweetly and briefly. “Goodbye, Frank. I hope Chris gets better soon.”
He ducked his head, his messy hair falling everywhere. “Goodbye, Gerard. I love you.”
I watched him get into the car, and I watched it drive away.
For the first time in my life, I wanted to punch someone.

Notes

I'm sorry it's so short, but you will have two more chapters up very soon.