Gerard was shocked. That was the only word to simply describe it. He had heard his name. Soft, like a whispered safe-word that could save someone. That wasn't possible, though. Frank was mute and the only other person in the room. Gerard pulled back. Had he... Had Frank gotten the surgery when Gerard wasn't there with him? Had he done it? Gerard searched Frank's hazel eyes for an answer, but he found none.
"Frank?" He asked, his hands going to lightly cup Frank's cheeks, trace a trail into his hair and tangle there. Frank smiled wide.
"Yeah, Gerard?" Frank's voice was... Better than Gerard could have imagined it. It was deep, but not too deep. The slightest amount of husk and a faint shakiness to it. It was everything Gerard could have hoped to hear from Frank, and yet, it was so much better. Gerard laughed and kissed Frank again, putting as much feeling into the small motion as he could.
"Frank. Frankie." He leaned his forehead against Frank's. He never want to be without Frank. Ever again. Frank smiles and lays his hands atop Gerard's, whose hands have moved to Frank's cheeks.
"Gerard..." He whispers, kissing Gerard and laughing when their noses bump. "Gerard Gerard Gerard." He almost sings as Gerard laughs with him, pulling Frank into his arms. Frank feels at home there. He feels safe. He never wants to have to let go. He never wants to go without Gerard for any reason.
Gerard wasn't about to let Frank go, either. He didn't care how creepy it may have been. If he had to, he would shower with Frank, escort him to the restroom-the whole nine yards-if it meant never risking losing Frank again.
Gerard was caught off guard when Frank reached up a hand and lightly brushed beneath Gerard's eyes. He reached up and was surprised to find his fingertips come away wet and shining. He looks back at Frank, who's furrowed his brows.
"Don't... cry, Gerard." He whispered. Gerard smiled and kissed Frank's knuckles.
"I'm not sad, Frank. I'm happy. Really happy. The happiest I've been in a while." Gerard said quietly, perching on the edge of the bed and wrapping his arms back around Frank, who moves over and pulls Gerard on all the way. Gerard smiles as Frank snuggles into his side and closes his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips.
"I love you, Frank." He whispered into the younger man's hair. He lets his eyes slip shut as he waits for Frank to answer. He would answer, wouldn't he? Gerard's chest felt tight and his arms like lead around Frank.
"I love you, too." Frank says, leaning his face up to press a blind kiss to the soft skin under Gerard's jaw. Gerard smiles again as Frank settles down and eventually slumps, asleep, against Gerard's side.
"I know you do, Frankie." He whispers again. "I know you do."
But Gerard couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't completely happy. It could have been that he had worried so much for little to no reason, that he had been shot in the side and he was in pain, or any combination of that. But a little voice nagged at the corner of his mind. He knew exactly why he wasn't happy.
Frank could talk.
