Bert knew what was going to happen to Gerard. He knew and he didn't try to stop it. He knew he couldn't anyway. They would leave soon and in September he would be in a new school and Gerard...Gerard would end up...

"Like all the others."

Bert sighed as he drank his beer and tried to drown out the screams. No one but him could hear them anyway. It's not like Bert hadn't tried before. Early on he tried it with Quinn and then a year later he tried to rescue Jepha. HIs arm had only been healed six months now, but when it rained he could still feel the pain from when his brother broke it.


"If you ever try to come between me and my fun again I will make sure you can never walk again."


That was when Tony held a knife to his heel and threatened to cut his tendon. His father just stood by and watched. He did nothing to help at all. Tony dropped Bert over the railing that night and they ended up in the emergency room. They said he was sleep walking and went over. The doctors believed them of course, it was a new town so no one knew them or the abuse that they brought with them. That was Bert's life. He had no friends. He wasn't allowed to make any unless they suited his father and brother's needs. He once asked what they did with the boys and was given an answer of being knocked out for two days. He never asked again. Still he couldn't handle this one. There was something special about Gerard and he was not the only one to see it.

"Frank."

The guy they ran into that was close to Gerard. Closer than he was to his own boyfriend.

"Boyfriend, what a joke."

Bert scoffed as he threw the empty beer can and opened another one. He wondered if Frank would be a problem as he drank deeply. None of the other boys had friends and Gerard seemed like a candidate when he told him that his friend deserted him. He was wrong though. Frank didn't desert him, he was just full of alcohol and drugs and his own ideas of fun. If he stood back he would see what he could have had with Gerard. Now there would be nothing left. One scream pierced the night and then there was silence. Gerard finally passed out. Bert drained the beer can and then lit a cigarette. The door opened and his shirtless brother walked out.

"Go clean up the mess."

"Is it bad? Is he okay?"

"What do you care?"

"I don't."

"Good cause I don't need another incident and besides..."

Tony grabbed Bert by the hair and pulled hard causing him to bite the cigarette filter off.

"I can just drop you off one of these cliffs. No one would find you. No one would even care you were gone."

Bert held back the tears he knew his brother wanted to see. Finally he was let go and he scrambled up and ran in the house. His father was in the living room drinking his own beer. He said nothing to Bert. Bert kept going till he got to the end of the hall where the Master bedroom was. He opened the door and cringed at the sight. Gerard was a mess covered in cum and blood. He wondered who the fluids belonged to for a moment and then shook it off. He unbound Gerard's wrists and ankles and moved him to the window bench. Gerard didn't even stir, only his shallow breathing said he was alive. Bert stripped the sheet and threw them in a garbage bag. He pulled out new ones and made the bed. He bagged up the tattered remains of Gerard's clothing as well. Then he cleaned Gerard off carefully. He put him back on the bed and put clean pajamas on him. They would be ripped off soon, but he wanted to afford this small comfort to the boy while he could. He was leaving the room as his brother was coming up the stairs. He passed by him and heard Tony snicker.

"Time for round two."


(time passes)



Frank didn't know why he felt bad, but he did. It had been three weeks since he had seen Gerard. He tried to call him and text him, but he got no reply. He missed him. He was having fun with Pete in their relationship, but he had ended it. Gerard was right, he didn't do boyfriends. He climbed up the stairs to where the Way household was. He saw a strange car in the driveway he didn't recognise. He looked at the plates and...

"Donna."

Frank debated leaving when the door opened.

"Frank!..."

Don flew out of the house and grabbed him.

"Have you seen Gerard anywhere?"

"No, not since June. Why, what's going on?"

"He's been missing for almost a week now. I last saw him on Friday when I left the house for a meeting and that was it. He never came home the whole weekend and he left his phone here."

"That doesn't sound like Gee. He brings his phone everywhere."

It explained why he hadn't heard anything too.

"I'm really worried Frank. He has never done anything like this before."

"Did you contact his boyfriend?"

"Boyfriend?"

"Yeah, this guy Bert. I met him like...well the last time I saw Gee."

"Gerard never said he had a boyfriend."

Frank was shocked. Gerard told his dad everything. None of this was making sense.

"I'm sure his number will be in the phone."

Don nodded and let Frank in the house. In the living room was Gerard's mother and his little brother. Frank had not seen the boy since his mother took him away and put him in boarding school.

"Frank."

Mikey nodded to him. HIs mother ignored him of course. She never liked Frank.

"Mikey."

"That's Michael to you Frank."

Frank bristled at being spoken to by the woman. Mikey could speak for himself he was sure.

"He did not correct me himself."

"Why is this delinquent here? I was surprised to hear that he was not the culprit."

"Why would I want to hurt Gerard?"

"Who knows? With your lifestyle choices I never understood what my son saw in you as anything in his life, but then again all his decisions were poor. The only thing he ever did that was smart was lose weight."

"Donna! He became anorexic! He was hospitalised!"

"Oh that was just drama, I am sure he was fine and..."

"He wasn't! He passed out at a party that we were at! He looked horrible and unhealthy and I was so worried about him!"

"Oh? Did you visit him?"

"I..."

Frank hadn't. He was getting high with Pete and fucking him and he forgot all about his best friend. Frank felt horrible now. Gerard was in trouble and he was not there for him. How did he get this bad? Why hadn't he noticed?

"No, I was dealing with personal stuff, but I am here now and I am going to find Gerard if it is the last thing I do."

"You love him..."

Everyone looked at the younger Way. Mikey just looked at Frank.

"Don't you?"

"I...I do."

"Good. Father, if anyone can find Gerard it will be Frank."

Frank smiled at the boy.

"Thanks Mikey."

Mikey smiled back.

"So we start with his phone and Bert."

"Right."

"Let the police deal with this mess. We have our lives to get back to. Come Michael, we are leaving."

Donna stood, but Mikey remained.

"I will help Frank find Gerard."

"You will do no such thing! You will come with me right now!"

"No mother, I will not."

The slap was heard by everyone as Donna backhanded her youngest.

"Donna!"

Don ran over to them and held him.

"What are you doing striking him?! You can leave right now and not with him. Go before I call the police on you."

Donna's face turned beet red and then she stormed out. Don turned back to his son.

"Has she done that before?"

"A few times."

"Never again."

Frank left the two Ways in the living room and went to Gerard's bedroom. He marveled how nice it looked as he located the phone. He opened it being thankful that Gerard never changed his lock sequence. It was still the date that he and Frank met. Frank took a moment to think of that. He opened the phone and saw that the home screen was him and Gerard at the beach two years ago. The smiles on their faces as Frank held Gerard in his arms. Don had snapped the pic with Gerard's phone. Frank went into the phone contacts, but opened the photo gallery by accident. It was full of pics of Frank. Most taken when Frank was not looking. He was drunk or high at a party and standing with someone else. In a few he was making out with another guy. Gerard had gotten close ups of Frank's face. Frank was confused as to why he would take pics like that. He closed the gallery and found the contacts. He opened them and found Bert's number. He called it, but there was no answer. He left a message. Frank's curiosity was peaked now. He knew he shouldn't, but he went in Gerard's lap top. He found his private blog, opened it up and began to read.


June 18, 2017. 09:13


Hi world, it’s me again. Getting ready to beach it with Frank today, I hope there’s not too many people there. I don’t need people staring at my disgusting body. Who am I kidding though, they’ll all be staring at Frank...he looks so good in his swim shorts, whereas I’ll be as covered up as I can get away with. He'll be here soon. I wish I could tell him. Anyway...laters.




June 18, 2017. 18:42


Hi world, it’s me again. Just back from the beach. Just as I thought, everyone was looking at Frank. We played catch for a bit until this boy called Larry came over and Frank disappeared behind the sand dunes with him for an hour, leaving me to watch our stuff. It’s ok I guess, I finished reading my book at last. We got tacos on the way back, but I wasn’t really that hungry. Anyway...laters.



Frank knew that day was the one in the pictures. He remembered the boy, but not his name. Funny how Gerard did. Why did Gerard think he looked disgusting in his suit, Frank thought he looked amazing. He remembered seeing Gerard in the water, when he finally got him there. The sun was shining on the water and when Frank went and sprayed the other boy with it, he giggled and Frank saw it glisten against his skin. Gerard looked like a work of art at that moment. He shook off the memory and went back to reading.


June 23, 2017. 20:31


Hi world, it’s me again. Frank has a "date" tonight with the guy from the coffee shop on Main Street. For "date", read "hook up". I guess the guy is cute, but Frank could do better. I’m just going to eat my weight in Ben & Jerry's and try not to think too much about what Frank’s doing on his "date". Later, I’ll regret the ice cream of course...guess my toilet's going to regret it too. Anyway...laters.




June 23, 2017. 22:57


Hi world, it’s me again. UPDATE...Frank just texted me to tell me he’s home and he told me EVERYTHING he did with coffee shop guy. Now I’m going to throw up that ice cream...I told you my toilet would regret it. Anyway...laters.



"Wait did he throw up the ice cream cause I told him or cause he planned on it...and why didn't he say that he didn't want to hear about my...date?"

It started out like one and Frank had fun, but there was no substance to the guy so he never saw him again. Gerard knew that...right? Frank continued to read the summer, it was more of the same over and over again. He skipped to September.


September 3, 2017. 07:12


Hi world, it’s me again. New school year. Senior now and I don’t know how I got this far. Frank, that’s how. Frank gets me through everything, even if he doesn’t know it. Just one more year and we'll be out of here. But what then? College? Will I still get to see my best friend every day?...or ever? He'll be here any minute to walk together. Gotta go. No time for breakfast. Anyway...laters.



Gerard was always excited to see Frank every morning. Frank would talk about his weekend and his conquests and Gerard would just listen.


September 3, 2017. 22:13


Hi world, it’s me again. I hate school! Frank got off with the new math teacher at lunch...I DO NOT need to know how good any teacher sucks cock!! Kill me now. Anyway...laters.



Frank had to laugh a little at that. Still he didn't know that he was that bothered over it. He moved to October.


October 18, 2017. 03:24


Hi world, it’s me again. I can’t sleep. Frank’s birthday is less than two weeks away now and I don’t know what to get him. If I get him what I want to get him, then he might wonder why I’m getting him that...he might realise. Or I could get him a regular best friend present, that he’d like and wouldn’t be able to read into. I hate that I can’t tell. I hate that he doesn’t notice. I...will let you know what I decide. Anyway...laters.




October 21, 2017. 11:20


Hi world, it’s me again. I’m a wuss! I’m a coward! Shave my head and paint me yellow!...I went with the best friend present. I know he’ll still like it, but it’s not enough for him to love it. Anyway...laters.



Frank recalled the gift he got. It was a new pair of gloves since his were worn from use. He liked them a lot. It seemed that Gerard took time picking them out. It showed he cared. Frank wondered what the other present would have been. He skipped to his birthday. Wait...he was sick. He didn't have one last year, but he recalled spending it in bed with...

"Gerard. He came over and..."

Frank quickly found the 31st.


October 31, 2017. 15:33


Hi world, it’s me again. Just getting ready to go to Frank’s. He's sick so we’re not trick or treating this year, but I’m gonna stay over and we’re gonna watch movies and eat candy...well, Frank will eat candy anyway. I’ve wrapped his present, but I’m still pissed at myself for taking the coward's way out. I wish I wasn’t such a useless piece of shit sometimes. I’ll let you know how things go once Frank’s gone to sleep. Anyway...laters.




November 1, 2017. 02:03


Hi world, it’s me again. Frank’s asleep. He liked his present and ate loads of candy. He told me about how he’s planning on fucking this new boy called Tom, he’s from England and he looks like a Greek God, while I look like like a fucking Flump. I feel like shit. I wanna d**. Gonna sleep now. Anyway...laters.



That's not how Frank remembered the evening. He remembered them playing games and talking and joking around. They even got in a tickle fight. Frank mentioned Tom in passing and then it was over. Did Gerard really dwell on it so much? Frank skipped November and went to December.


December 4, 2017. 04:17


Hi world, it’s me again. I can’t sleep, may have drunk half of mom's bottle of Malibu after she called me a no good waste of air. She went off to work right after, and dad was over at his friend John's place, helping him move a fridge freezer or something...so I found the bottle and drunk it. I don’t like coconut, but who cares anyway? Did I ever tell you how cute Frank actually is?...he’s like totally the cutest person in the world, so totally out of my league. He’d never look at me like I look at him. Oh...I feel kinda



Sorry about that, it’s 5am now. I puked. Guess the Malibu wasn’t a good idea after all. Anyway...laters.



"Damn, that stuff isn't made to drink straight Gee, no wonder you got sick."

Frank shook his head. He read on.


December 7, 2017. 01:43


Hi world, it’s me again. Mom never noticed that her Malibu was gone, I wonder if she’ll realise I grabbed her vodka tonight? At least it tastes better. Frank fucked the principle yesterday...why does he want them and not me? Why is it never me? Why can it never be me? Anyway...laters.




December 8, 2017. 03:01


Hi world, it’s me again. I saw Frank with his hand down the coach's pants, under the stairs in the science wing. What does the coach have that I don’t?...Frank, that’s what. Think I might leave this thing for a while, while I still have an ounce of dignity. Anyway...laters.




April 6, 2018. 06:45


Hi world, it’s me again. Things have been better recently, and it’s my birthday in three days. Frank is gonna spend the whole weekend with me. I can’t wait. Anyway...laters.



There was a huge gap between December and April. Frank didn't have to read about that. He knew he let Gerard down. How had he missed how Gerard felt. Frank jumped to the June when Gerard met Bert.


June 15, 2018. 06:45


Hi world, it’s me again. So it’s my first day back to school after being stuck in the psyche ward, and I’m kinda freaking out. I’ve not seen or heard from Frank since I went in, so I guess I gotta do this thing all alone...it’s fitting I guess, alone like I always will be. I’m trying to eat better...for dad. I don’t want to ever make him that sad again. Anyway...laters.




June 15, 2018. 22:18


Hi world, it’s me again. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!...I had my first kiss today. There’s this new boy called Bert. He’s nice and sweet, and he let me try his weed...I choked a bit, but it was ok. Then he kissed me. I went to his after school for food and we had take out with his dad. He’s got a brother, but he wasn’t there. I really like Bert. Not like I like Frank, but at least Bert notices me. Anyway...laters.



"Kiss? Weed? What the fuck Gee?"

Frank couldn't believe Gerard did all this. Frank should have been the one to let him try weed.

"I should have been his first."

Wait...first what? Weed? Kiss? Did Frank really want to do that? He had taken virginities, but not kisses before. Was it different?

"First kiss."

Frank thought about it. He read on.


June 30, 2018. 20:02


Hi world, it’s me again. Bert and I were in town today, and we bumped into Frank. He was high I think, and he told me that Pete is his boyfriend now. I won’t lie, that fucking hurt. He seemed shocked that I’ve got a boyfriend too...I guess he really doesn’t think I’m good enough to have one. Going to Bert’s house tomorrow cause he said he’s got something to ask me. Going to sleep now. Anyway...laters.




July 1, 2018. 17:36


Hi world, it’s me again. Just got back from Bert's and he invited me to go away with him, his dad and brother, to a cabin in the mountains for the first week of Summer break. His dad already talked to mine and he said it’s ok, so I guess I’m going on a trip straight after school tomorrow. Apparently there’s no phone signal or WiFi, so I may as well leave my phone home. I’ll write in my old diary while I’m away, then update here when we get back. I think we’re gonna have fun. Anyway...laters.



"Bingo."

Frank knew where Gerard was now. He had just shacked up with his new boyfriend.

"Probably losing his...”

That thought pissed Frank off. This guy got so many firsts already. Well Frank was about to ruin their fun. Don was upset so he needed to bring Gerard home. He thought about saying something to Don, but decided not to. He would just show up with Gerard and deal with it later. Luckily he knew the cabins that they were at. It shouldn't take Frank too long. He left without saying anything to the two men in the living room, he just had one boy on his mind right now and he was going to tell him everything in his heart.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks, how’s you?

Look, I know it’s been a while, but I just found this in my notes, all ready to be posted, and realised what an idiot I’ve been.

hope you liked it, we'll try not to leave you hanging for so long for the rest of the fic.

Anyway, till next time, peace out babies!

xxx