Cast No Shadow

Gerard went through his classes very easily. Nothing else seemed to matter anymore. He’d seen his brother around the halls with his best friend Ray, but Gerard always suspected their was more to their friendship than they were letting on, but Gerard didn’t care. As long as his brother kept smiling, that was all that mattered.

He thought about his new companion often, which helped the day go faster and slower simultaneously. Frank was such a… bland name for someone who was spectacular. He shouldn’t even exist, but he does and Gerard loved that. He loved knowing there was more to the world than the human beings doing more harm than good. Fairies were real. They could help. They could possibly save the world, but Gerard was getting ahead of himself right now.

He wanted to be friends with Frank. He wanted to show the Fairy around, show him what he did in his free time- which wasn’t much at all.

“Gerard!” His brother called out to him as school ended. He turned and waved at him. Ray was nowhere in sight, which was odd considering they were always together. Gerard was surprised Mikey hadn’t asked their parents if Ray could move in. “Drive me home.”

“Sure. Where’s Ray?” He asked as they walked to his truck.

Mikey shrugged. “He had a date,” he said. Gerard stopped walking.

“What? I thought-”

“We’re not dating,” Mikey interrupted. “Or fucking. We’re aware of the rumours. I’m just a clingy friend and he’s naturally a provider.” Gerard accepted that and they got in his truck, taking off from school.

“Wanna grab some milkshakes?” He asked his younger brother.

“Yeah!” Gerard chuckled.

He loved his brother dearly. They never fought and if they did, it never lasted more than five minutes. They were very close and often hung out, watching movies in Gerard’s room or listening to CD’s in Mikey’s room. He remembered teaching Mikey how to ride a bike (it still had training wheels on it and Gerard was still using them), he remembered introducing him to the The Beatles and changing his perspective on music. Now, whenever Mikey had a question about a certain band or song, he’d ask Gerard and Gerard would actually know about 98 percent of the questions asked.

After getting their large shakes, they headed home. Just before they got home, it began to drizzle and it was picking up fast. Gerard quickly parked and they jumped out, running for the door as it began pouring. Mikey made it first since Gerard had to lock the truck with the key. Gerard was about to go inside when he heard a small ‘meow ’. He froze, looking around and seeing a black cat with bright hazel eyes. It was Frank. He knew those eyes anywhere. He looked inside and saw Mikey taking off his shoes.

“Frank?” He whispered. The kitten ran up to him and jumped on his pant leg and started climbing up. “Okay. Come on; I’ll keep you safe.” He held the kitten tightly, its fur soaked. That’s when he remembered he was also soaking and quickly went inside.

“Gerard? Is that a cat?” He heard Mikey ask. He nodded.

“Yeah. I couldn’t let it stay in the pouring rain,” he said, petting what he was sure to be Frank. The kitten began purring loudly, rubbing his head back against Gerard’s fingers.

“It’s so cute!” Mikey said, walking closer and petting him too.

“Hold him while I dress in some dry clothes.” Mikey nodded and took the kitty, Gerard went upstairs and into his room. He had just gotten his pants off when he heard another ‘meow’. He turned and saw the kitten at the doorway. He suddenly felt awkward. That cat was Frank, he was sure, and he’s just watching him get naked.

“Frank,” he whispered. “I’m about to take off my underwear. Can you, like, turn around or something?” He asked. The cat tilted its head and jumped on his bed, giving Gerard another look before turning around and facing the wall. Gerard smiled. It was Frank, definitely. He quickly undressed and dried off with a towel before redressing. He loved wearing sweats. He saw Frank’s wet fur and knelt down next to the bed, the movement causing his little kitten to look back at him with curious eyes. He picked up the towel and gently did his best to dry off his fur.

“What are you doing?” His brother asked from the doorway, causing him and Frank to jump.

“The poor thing was freezing. I wasn’t just gonna let him stay like that!” He defended himself.

“You’re allergic to cats, Gerard. You’re going to start sneezing any minute now,” Mikey said.

“Well, can you be a bro and get me some medicine?” Mikey headed downstairs to get the pills without another word.

“That’s my brother,” he explained to the cat. “He’s really nice and will take care of you, too,” he said. The kitten meowed again and climbed onto Gerard’s shoulder, clinging to him there. Gerard laughed, loving the attention he was receiving.

“Thank you for protecting me from the water,” he heard Frank’s voice, with its signature echo. He looked at the cat, but he was only staring at him.

“Are you in my head?” He asked quietly as he headed downstairs.

“Yes. I cannot read your mind though, if that is what you are thinking,” he answered, licking his paw. Gerard internally cooed at the sight. He didn’t even realize he was worried about Frank being able to read his mind.

“How’d you get it to do that?” His brother asked when he caught glimpse of the cat draping over Gerard’s shoulder calmly as it licked its paw.

“He just did it.”

“Speaking of he, let me check to see if it actually is a boy,” Mikey said, as he moved behind Gerard to look at the cat’s privates. The cat meowed louder.

“I don’t think he likes that, Mikes,” Gerard said with a smirk. It was funny because Frank first appeared to him in his birthday suit.

“It’s a boy!” Mikey said after a while. “And congrats, little dude, you’re not so little.” Gerard stifled a laugh.

“Mikey, what the fuck?” He laughed.

Mikey shrugged. “What? I’m congratulating him! I’d love for someone to compliment me like that, too.” Gerard laughed more. “Anyways, what are you gonna name him?” He asked. “I’m pretty sure we can keep him. Mom loves animals and dad can’t say no to her.”

“Frank,” he said instantly. Mikey raised a brow.

“That’s… cute,” he said slowly, picking up his milkshake and eat more of it. Gerard nodded, doing the same. Frank began meowing at him. Gerard offered him some from his spoon and smiled fondly when Frank licked at it, laughing when he got a brain freeze.

“It’s really cold, Frank. Be careful,” he said, still laughing a little. Frank meowed and jumped onto the counter, stretching out and then laying down on it. “Aw, you can’t lay there, little guy. My parents wouldn’t like that.” He picked Frank up and set him on the floor. “You can sleep on my bed if you want.”

He randomly looked up at Mikey who was staring at him with raised brows.

“You’re becoming like a cat lady, but a dude,” he said. Gerard scoffed.

“Shut up,” he laughed. “They’re just cute.”

“Whatever. Take the pills,” Mikey said, sliding the little packet over to him. Gerard got some water and swallowed the pills down.

“Thanks. Want some water, Frank?” Gerard asked. The kitten looked up at him and meowed, so Gerard got a bowl and filled it with water, putting it on the floor and watching as his companion drank from it. He felt bad because he knew Frank should be drinking from a cup, not a bowl on the ground.

“That cat seems like it understands you,” Mikey said.“It’s weird. Cool, also, but weird.” Gerard shrugged and knelt down to pet Frank’s fur as he drank. He was drinking slowly.

“Are you okay, Frank?” He asked just as Mikey went into the living room. The cat looked up at him and moved closer.

“I do not enjoy water.”

Gerard laughed softly. “Well, what do you like?” He asked.

“Milk. Do you have any?” Gerard stood and looked in their fridge. They had enough left for a bowl. He quickly replaced the water with it and chuckled as Frank dug his face into it.

“We’re going to be great friends, Frank.”

“Yes. Friendship.”

Notes

Hope y'all enjoyed it! Comment and let me know!

Much Love,
-OAIF <3