Homeland

Frank’s POV
I walked up to the firehouse I was now a candidate at and I walked inside and headed over to where the common room was and there was a couple of people in already and they looked up at me.
“Hey, I’m Frank and I’m your new candidate.” I said as I put my bag down and headed over to the coffee pot and helped myself to coffee.
“Hey, I’m Bryan but for some reason everyone calls me Otis.” Otis said as he shook my hand.
“Frank.” I said and Otis smiled as he looked at my tattoos as well as my dog tags.
“Jesus how many tattoos?” Otis asked and I raised an eyebrow at him.
“I’m covered in tattoos, if you have a problem with that then we aren’t going to get along. Also I have no idea how many I have.” I said as I put the edge of my dog tags in my mouth and walked over to the sofa and sat there.
“Army background?” Otis asked.
“Special forces.” I said quietly and Otis stood up and saluted which made me raise a eyebrow at him.
“Why are you saluting me?” I asked confused.
“Everything you have done.” Otis said and I scoffed as I put my coffee down and walked out the room.
“Well done Otis.” I heard someone say as I walked to where the lockers was and I sat on the bench and took a deep breath.
“Candidate.” My lieutenant, Cory said and I looked up at him.
“Look man, I’m sorry about that, I don’t exactly want to be reminded of the past.” I said and Cory frowned at me.
“I passed medical and my psych evaluation, I have a right and sane enough to be here.” I said and Cory smiled as he sat next to me.
“I’ve seen and you are going to do amazing here. You just need to remember you are not in charge here but you are bottom of the food chain at the moment.” Cory said and I smiled as I nodded.
“I think of it as karma to be honest.” I said and Cory chuckled as he looked at the bare locker door with no label which was going to be mine.
“You better be a good fire fighter like the man who’s locker this was.” Cory said and I nodded as I smiled.
“I’ll try to be good.” I said and Cory chuckled and he looked at the picture of me and Gerard which I had in my box.
“Your partner?” Cory asked and I smiled as I nodded.
“The sane one out of us.” I said and Cory chuckled.
“I’ll leave you to sort your locker out.” Cory said and he got up and I walked him walk out the room.
I sorted my locker up and put the pictures of me and the boys along with and picture of me and Gerard which made me smile as I shut my locker door and I went to join the others in the common room.
I was busy doing something when someone walked into the room where I was cleaning.
“So some dude has just showed up and is looking for you.” Cory said which made me stand up straight and frown at him.
“He sounds pretty distressed as well.” Cory said and I sighed.
“Cory I’m sorry, my partner has some problems and proper struggles when I’m not around or if he’s off his meds.” I said and Cory smiled at me.
“If he isn’t any trouble then he is welcomed here.” Cory said and I smiled and I walked off and I found Gerard in a state.
“Baby what’s wrong?” I asked as I put both my hands on either side of Gerard’s face and made him look at me.
“I..I..I..I was being followed.” Gerard in a big rush and I just about understood him so I pulled him into a hug.
“Let’s go somewhere quieter.” I said quietly as I caught hold of Gerard’s hand and went to where the sleeping area and I sat Gerard down on my bed and I sat next to him and Gerard sniffed.
“I was getting some shopping when I noticed him following me and he followed me all the way home but I didn’t go home, I came straight here.” Gerard sobbed and I pulled him to my side as I kissed the top of his head.
“It’s going to be okay baby.” I said quietly as I pulled him to my side.
“I’m sorry.” Gerard whispered and I smiled as I made him look at me.
“Don’t be sorry, I rather you coming here than you being at home doing stupid stuff.” I said and Gerard nodded as he rested his head on my shoulder.
I was going to say something when the alarm went off and I sighed loudly.
“Baby I have to go, you can stay here until I get back okay.” I said and Gerard nodded as I kissed the top of his head and I went to where the tucks was.
“Everything okay?” Cory asked and I nodded.
“Yeah, it’s okay.” I said and I got in the truck and we went to the fire.
We got to the fire and I looked at it with a smile which made someone called Sullie look at me with a slight frown on his face.
“Frank with me, you stay on my ass. If you move off my ass you’ll be in trouble.” Cory said and I nodded as I put my mask on and went inside.
It was intense but at the same time I knew my time in the army was over and this was a new exciting chapter.
“Fire department call out.” I said loudly as I followed Cory round the house and I found a body.
“Cory there’s a body.” I said and he looked at me and followed my eye line and his eyes landed on the body.
“Get them out of here I have one more room to check and I’ll be right behind you.” Cory said and I nodded as I headed over to the body and I picked them up and headed toward the front door and I got them out.
“Where is Cory?” Chief said and I looked at him and back inside and I went inside ignoring Chief shouting at me and I heard the sound of the machine saying when someone was down and I saw the flashing light and I followed it until I found Cory on the floor with his mask knocked off and I quickly put his mask back on.
“I’ve got you buddy, just hold on.” I said as I dragged Cory out of the house and everyone helped put him on the trolley to put him on the ambulance.
I just stood back as I caught my breath and I had a drink when Chief came over and stood next to me.
“I need you to come to my office when we get back to the house.” Chief said seriously and I just watched him walk off.
“Hey I need to check you over.” The paramedic said and I looked at her.
“I’m fine.” I said seriously as I walked off and stood by the tuck and I punched it as I started to put the tools away.
“Punching The tuck isn’t going to help.” Sullie said and I looked at him.
“I don’t need advice right now.” I said seriously and Sullie backed off.
“Everyone in the tuck we’re going to the hospital.” Otis said and we got in the tuck and we went to the hospital.
When we found out Cory was going to be okay we all went back to the firehouse and I went to the Chiefs office.
“When you are out of a fire you stay out of a fire.” Chief said and I frowned at him.
“I would rather go back into the burning building and make sure everyone is out than stand around watching the building burn with people still inside and that’s what I thought we did, run into the burning building while everyone runs out because we are bloody crazy.” I said and Chief frowned at me.
“I understand you was in the army and the rules there are different to ours.” Chief said and I shook my head.
“Our rules are exactly the same, we fall back when we need to fall back and I fully respect that in both that job and in this job, but if one of my men was down I would try everything in my power to bring my men back home and it’s going to be the same here, this house is a family house and I got the vibe straight away and it was the same as my team. Family sticks together and I’m sure if I was one of the others we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” I said and Chief just stared at me before he nodded at me.
“I understand that, but if anything was to happen to you guys, it’s my ass on the line. Now I understand you are use to being in charge of your team but now I’m in charge and I would like you to respect me.” Chief said and I nodded.
“Sir yes sir.” I said and Chief chuckled.
“Cory said earlier a lad came in looking for you and was distressed. Is everything okay?” Chief said and I nodded.
“My fiancé has bipolar and PTSD. When I was in the army he would really struggle and not take his meds and all that shit. Sometimes he can struggle more days than others but he is getting there. This time of year is just hard on him.” I said and Chief nodded in a understanding way.
“Well he is welcomed here, as long as he doesn’t bring trouble into this house.” Chief said and I chuckled softly.
“There’s not a bad bone in his body Chief, he’s a bit of a hermit to be honest as well.” I said and Chief smiled.
“Go get yourself cleaned up.” Chief said and I nodded as I walked out the office where I saw Gerard in the common room.
“There is no way you are Frank’s partner.” I heard Otis say and I walked into the common room and stood next to Gerard.
“Alright babe?” I asked as I put my hand in Gerard’s back pocket.
“Shit, you’re gay?” One of the female paramedics said and I nodded.
“Last time I checked I was gay and this was my fiancé.” I said and everyone just looked stunned.
“Enjoy babe.” I said to Gerard as I playfully smacked his ass and headed towards the showers.
After I was done I went back to the common room where Gerard was cooking something for us.
“You didn’t have to cook for us.” I said as I got myself a coffee.
“Feel pretty useless and anyway,I was going to go home after this as I feel like I can cope with it.” Gerard said and I nodded slightly.
“How about you stay at the new place. I know we’ve got hardly nothing there but at least you don’t have to worry about being followed there or something happening to you in the house.” I said quietly and Gerard looked at me and smiled as he nodded.
Otis came over and joined in on mine and Gerard’s conversation.
“How the fuck are you gay?” Otis asked as he looked at me and Gerard.
“Since I don’t like tits but I enjoy dick instead.” I said and Gerard rolled his eyes as he turned round and I just checked his ass out.
“Hey don’t check his ass out, he might not even like guys.” Otis said and I chuckled.
“Babe, show Otis the ring.” I said as Gerard turned round and he walked over and showed Otis the ring.
“I’m gay and Frank is my fiancé.” Gerard said as he went back to cooking.
“So yeah I can check his ass out.” I said as I walked off and I could feel Gerard watching me.
Otis followed me as I went to clean the showers.
“So what is the fiancé name then?” Otis asked as I looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
“I’m sure if you ask him, he’ll tell you. You don’t have to be afraid of him he’s probably in heaven checking you guys out and also he’s pretty shy as well.” I said and Otis nodded as I started to clean the showers but I stopped as I stood up and walked off and I found Gerard finishing off with the last of the tidying.
“Babe, When is Ollie’s funeral?” I asked him quietly as I touched his arm which made Gerard jump as he turned round to look at me.
“I think it’s next week or something I don’t know Jasey has been pretty quiet with everyone at the moment.” Gerard said quietly and I nodded as I looked down.
“Baby what’s the matter?” Gerard asked softly and I looked at him and smiled as I kissed the side of his head and walked off.
I got to the Chiefs office and I knocked on the door and I walked in.
“I know today is my first day here and I will work my ass off to prove to everyone that not only was I a excellent solider but I am going to be one of the best men you have here.” I said and Chief nodded looking confused slightly.
“Next week is the funeral of my best friend and also one of my team mates. I was hoping to be given the day off so I could go and pay my respects.” I said and Chief thought about it for a couple of minutes.
“I’m not a begging man, but he was my best friend since high school and I want to be there on his final journey.” I said and Chief smiled at me as he nodded.
“You can have it off, you can also have the day off afterwards as well.” Chief said and I was going to argue this but decided not too.
“Thanks Chief.” I said quietly as I walked out the room and I saw Gerard putting his coat on and he spotted me and walked over.
“I’m going to the new place, we’ll talk later?” Gerard said and I nodded as he walked over and kissed me which I returned.
“Stay safe.” Gerard whispered and I smiled.
“I will baby, let me know when you get home.” I said and Gerard nodded and I watched him walk off as I smiled and went back to the common room.
The rest of the shift was quiet which I was thankful for.
———————————————————————————————————————
It was Ollie’s funeral and I was sat on the bed looking at my suit I haven’t worn for a long time.
Gerard walked in and he sat next to me which made me look at him as I left Gerard link his hand in mine and give it a squeeze.
“I’m going to be right beside you, holding your hand the whole way through this.” Gerard said softly and I smiled at him and Gerard stood up and he started to get changed and I sighed and I did the same.
The funeral was really nice and we was at the wake which Jasey only wanted family and close friends at the wake.
I was helping myself to a beer and someone stood next to me and I looked and saw Jasey getting herself a drink.
“Your the only one who came.” Jasey whispered and I put my hand on top of hers and I looked round and saw Gerard who saw me and smiled as he nodded slightly and I caught hold or Jasey hand and we went outside.
“Has Queenie got too much of a guilty consciences to come to Ollie’s funeral.” Jasey pretty much spat at me.
“Dunno haven’t spoken to him since I left for Gerard being in hospital.” I said and Jasey looked down and shook his head.
“What about Jase? Yeah the prick didn’t know you guys long enough but he could of have a bit of respect.” Jasey said clearly upset about everything.
“Jase is in rehab, I found him on the streets up to eyeballs on drugs so I took him in and then the bastard almost hurt Gee and I got his ass sent to rehab.” I said and Jasey looked at me.
“Is Gee Okay?” Jasey asked quietly which made me shrug my shoulders.
“He seems okay, but Gee is a hard person to read sometimes but at the moment he seems fine, if anything he seems to be way too supportive in everything.” I said and Jasey chuckled.
“Maybe he’s just gotten used to you throwing yourself into danger.” Jasey said and I smiled slightly.
“I also noticed a ring on Gees finger.” Jasey said and I smiled more as I looked at her.
“We’re engaged.” I said and Jasey smiled as she pulled me into a huge hug which I returned with a smile.
“About fucking time too.” Jasey said as she pulled back and looked at me with a smile which I returned.
We both went back inside and after a while me and Gerard went home.
Me and Gerard was lead in bed and Gerard was cuddled into my side.
“Everything okay baby?” Gerard asked as he traced his finger lightly over my tattoo.
“Yeah I’m good.” I said quietly which made Gerard sit up and move so he was now sat on me.
“No you’re not, you are too quiet. I maybe the weakling and not throw myself into danger like you but I know when there is something wrong and something is wrong babe. You can talk to me.” Gerard said and I smiled at him as I tucked some hair behind his ear which made Gerard smile.
“I know baby.” I said softly which made Gerard frown at me.
“Then talk to me.” Gerard said as he poked my chest and I moved so Gerard was now under me and I kissed him.
“Nope, we are not having sex until you open up a little to me.” Gerard said as he moved us over so I was now being sat on again.
“What do you want me to say Gee?” I asked as I sighed loudly and hoped Gerard would drop this but he wasn’t going to drop the subject.
“Anything, just say anything on what is ticking in that head of yours.” Gerard said softly as he moved some hair out of my face.
“Fine, I’m just worrying about you about what happened the other day. I’m just going on a bit of a down because I pretty much was going to ask Ollie to be my best man when we get married and now he’s not here I just don’t know anymore.” I said and Gerard smiled at me as he rested his hand on my head.
“Well we haven’t planned nothing yet so maybe one of the boys from over the firehouse might grow on you. As for me I’m okay, you don’t have to worry about me.” Gerard said as he lent down and kissed me which I returned.
“I know the new job and the fact it was Ollie’s funeral today have been getting you down a little.” Gerard said and I rolled us over so Gerard was under me.
“I guess I couldn’t really imagine my life without Ollie in it and I never thought I would leave the army.” I said quietly and Gerard sighed quietly.
“I told you not to give the army up for me, I am okay now and yes things may get a little hard at times but I know I had you at the base and I knew that all I had to do was just phone you and you would be home.” Gerard said and I sighed.
“I told them I would go back to base only if I wasn’t going to get called back into duty, because I can’t spend nearly a year being away from you and worrying about you because that is t fair on me as I can’t focus on my job and it wouldn’t be fair on you because going batshit isn’t nice for anyone. I gave them the choice and the didn’t respect it so I left to somewhere else where I know I will get respect.” I said and Gerard smiled at me which I returned as I lent down and kissed him.
“Anyway, I like being closer to home and doing what I do now because we have a whole new life ahead of us and I can’t fucking wait for it.” I said as I kissed Gerard a bit harder than before which Gerard returned as he giggled and I pulled the covers over us.

Notes