Frerard - We're Just Friends (Part 1 of The 'Just Friends' Series)

11

"You do fucking matter Gerard" Frank said sternly, taking up residency in the empty seat by the bed.

He looked over to his friend; the one side of his face that was visible; and eyed over his wounds. His swollen eye socket coloured purple with the ever-increasing bruising, his lip, torn and caked in now dried blood, and the grazes along his cheekbone where he had obviously been thrown against the hard, rough concrete.

"Shit! Look at you!" he whispered. "I'm so sorry Gee. You must be in so much pain."

In all honesty, the pain he was feeling right now was from the sudden appearance of Frank. His chest had lurched as he walked into his room; an ache building at the realisation of what he felt for him. He felt so connected to him, like he'd never felt before, and he just wanted to be with him. But Frank didn't want that, clearly, and that hurt Gerard more than any wound he could ever imagine.

"It's not your fault" Frank finally heard from Gerard, who now began to turn his head in Frank's direction.

"It kinda is though, isn't it?" Frank replied.

"No. I just got drunk and got myself into trouble. You don't have anything to feel bad about. You can just leave Frank."

"I don't want to leave Gee" Frank pleaded. "I want to be here with you. Please?"

Gerard just looked at him with a doubtful expression on his face. "You don't have to say that Frank. Like I say, you have nothing to feel guilty about."

"Well I do. I should never have just walked out like that. I didn't mean to, I just, I..........I panicked, you know?"

"It's fine, honestly. It was just a bit of fun. I get that now" Gerard began quietly. "I need to learn not to take things so seriously. I just wish you'd have said that that's all it was in the first place. Let's just forget anything ever happened. Yeah? I'll sort a new dorm out when I'm out of here so things won't be awkward. You can just forget about it all."

"I can't do that" Frank said softly. "It wasn't just a fucking fool around. You need to know that that's not what it was Gee. Please don't move out, Gerard. Please."

Gerard just looked at him solemnly.

"I............I really fucking like you Gerard. This isn't just some game to me, and I know I made it seem that way by just walking away, but I swear it's not. I panicked when Jamia called, because, fuck, she's still my girlfriend, and I felt guilty straight away. But honestly, I've never felt like this before. I have never had someone consume my every thought the way you do. And yes, I have tried to fight it, but I think seeing you in this state has made me finally grow a pair and tell you. I..........I...."

"You like me?" Gerard interrupted.

Frank slid his hand over Gerard's that was resting by his side. It felt cold compared to his own warm hand. He looked deep into his eyes. "I really, really like you Gerard."

Gerard turned his hand over and closed his fingers around Frank's. Frank gave a gentle squeeze, noticing Gerard's lip tremble a little and his barely-open eyes glaze over with tears.

Just as Gerard was about to respond, his mother re-entered the room. Gerard went to pull his hand away, but Frank held him in place. It was a gesture that made Gerard feel extremely emotional, Frank making a conscious effort not to evade him again. Gerard ran his thumb up and down the side of Frank's by way of thanking him. His mother didn't think anything of the two holding hands. She understood that Frank was obviously concerned about his friend's wellbeing and simply reaching out to offer comfort.

"How are you sweetie?" she asked her son as she came to his side.

"I'm ok mom" he smiled.

"Well, the doctor will be in shortly with your scan results. I'm sure everything will be fine though, so try not to worry" she told him.