Strangers In A Dangerous World (Frikey)

Chapter Thirteen: Meeting Friends And Relatives

"Mikey, is that you?" The man with the dark black hair, baby teeth, pale skin, and dark sunglasses that covered his eyes.

Mikey looked at me excitedly while I tried to hold back all of my confused feelings. I waited as Mikey let go of my hand and embraced the stranger. They stared at each other for a little bit before the stranger wrapped Mikey into a giant hug. I couldn't tell if the stranger was watching me or not because of his glasses but he was facing me. I studied him for a little bit before I looked awkwardly at the ground and kicked the wheel of the cart. After what seemed like forever they stopped hugging and Mikey dragged the stranger over to me. The stranger kept smiling and he seemed confused, too. Mikey stood in between the two of us beaming like a child on Christmas morning.

"Frankie, this is my brother, Gerard." Mikey turned towards his brother while I felt like worshipping the man of Mikey's childhood, "Gee, this is my, um," Mikey looked at me and I just smiled and nodded, "this is my boyfriend, Frank."

Gerard stepped forward like he was in a trance and wrapped me into a giant hug. I hesitated for a second before my arms allowed themselves to move and I wrapped my arms around Mikey's childhood friend and cause for happiness. I felt like I was standing next to a movie star or someone who literally ran the world. I felt so powerless, almost like I should bow down. I met Mikey's eyes during the hug and he was practically bouncing with excitement. Gerard and I pulled back while Gerard looked over me quickly and then back at his brother.

"Damn, baby bro. You picked up a cute one." I blushed while Mikey just nodded at his brother and moved next to me. We linked our hands together and Gerard seemed so happy, "Man, I haven't talked to you in forever, Mikes. How's life been for you?"

Mikey looked down and I squeezed his hand. Mikey looked up for me and something in his eyes told me that his brother could not know about his suffering. Something in Mikey's eyes told me that Mikey wasn't ready to get let his brother jump back into his life after all of the pain and hurt, "Life has been great. Frank and I have been going out for about a week now. I'd say that that was when my life started to make sense, though." Mikey laughed, "How have you been?"

Gerard looked down and ran a hand through his hair, "It's been really hard. I tried to excel in comic books, but I didn't make it. Everything has been horrible. My life is a mess and I hurt the people that matter the most. Mikey, will you forgive me? I've been a total asshole and I left you with our parents. I shouldn't have done that." Gerard looked close to tears and I decided that it was probably time for me to give them some privacy. I let go of Mikey's hand but he just grabbed mine again. I felt confused, but I didn't say anything.

"Hey, Gee, I totally forgive you. You're my brother. So, what brings you back into town?" Mikey's hand went kind of slack in mine, but I didn't slide my hand out. I thought of this as a test. If I let go than I wouldn't be here for Mikey. Mikey was always there for me. I could be here for him.

Gerard was silent before he took his glasses off and stuck them into his pockets. I looked into his hazel eyes and I felt entrapped. Gerard's stare was alternating between Mikey's eyes, my eyes, and then our hands held together. Gerard finally took a deep breath and explained why he was back into town, "I was in New York for such a long time. I was working a lot of jobs to afford one of those expensive apartments. I holed myself up into that apartment and only left buy food and go to work. I didn't have a car or really much money for anything. I finally just gave up. I couldn't do it and now I'm staying in Jersey until I can get back onto my feet. Actually, I was wondering if I could stay at your apartment just for a week or two."

We were silent and I heard my phone buzz in my pocket. I knew that this decision was solely up to Mikey. It wasn't my apartment yet. I was just technically a guest. I pulled out my phone and saw a text from Ray. I tugged on Mikey's hand and he looked down at me. I showed him the text and he just nodded. Gerard was looking everywhere except at us. I felt horrible and I couldn't imagine how Gerard was feeling. I squeezed Mikey's hand and he just nodded again.

"Yeah, you can stay with us. We'll move onto the couch together-"

Gerard's eyes bugged out of his head, "Mikey, I'm the guest. I'll sleep on the couch, okay?" Mikey started to argue but Gerard cut him off again, "No, I'm sleeping on the couch that's the end of this conversation."

I smiled slightly before Mikey checked the time, "Hey, Frank and I are going to meet a few of his friends in an hour or so. I think we are inviting them over to our house." Mikey looked at me and I nodded excitedly, "Yeah, I'm inviting you, okay?"

Gerard lit up, "Wow, Mikey. You're social and have friends! What else have I missed out on?"

Mikey rolled his eyes at his brother before he started pushing the cart with Gerard and me following him. Gerard was walking really close to me and I couldn't figure out why. He kept watching me from the corner of his eye before I sped up and walked with Mikey. I linked our hands together and I saw a faint smile pass over Mikey's face. We reached the registers and Mikey paid for everything while Gerard just watched the two of us carefully. I helped Mikey put the groceries in the cart and I stood on the cart as Mikey wrapped his arms around me and steered us towards the car. Gerard trailed behind us and just watched. He laughed quite a bit at the stupid things we said, but something wasn't right with him and I couldn't figure it out. I watched Mikey jump into the passenger seat and I couldn't help but wonder if Gerard was going to sit in the backseat or not. I took my time taking the cart back. I reached the car and found Gerard sitting in the backseat. I opened the front and sit down. Mikey locked his hand with mine as we drove back to his apartment.

We all were silent during the ride and things only got more awkward when we showed Gerard our messy apartment. He silently walked around while Mikey and I brought the bags of groceries in and set them in places that we would remember. Mikey and I played around a bit and we tried our hardest to be quiet but it was hard. Mikey would come up behind me and start sucking on the sensitive part of my skin and I would bite his earlobe and bottom lip when I got the chance. We just played around in general while Gerard lurked around and inspected the place. I sat down at the table and watched Mikey put the last bag into the pantry before my cell phone rang. I picked it up and answered a curious Ray.

"Hey Mr. Afro, what's up?" I drummed my fingers on the counter and watched Mikey's butt as he bent down. I bit my lip and blushed as Ray talked to me.

"Hey, we need the address! We'll be there in five."

"Okay, see you then!" I hung up excitedly and jumped into Mikey's arms when he turned and faced me, "They'll be here in five! Are you ready?"

Mikey gulped kind of loudly but he leaned down and kissed me, "I just hope that they like me."

"Of course they will, okay? They'll love you because you are an amazing person and if they don't -which they will- then they aren't my friends. Plus, you are just so loveable." I looked at Mikey and he was half smirking and half blushing. God, I loved making him blush. We held each other longer than necessary until Gerard walked into the kitchen. Mikey and I separated and we blushed. Gerard just waved us off as a loud knock at the door. Mikey looked at me nervously before he waved Gerard and I off.

"I'll go get the door, okay? First impressions are important." He walked out of the kitchen and I heard him greeting Ray and Bob. I got busy working at the coffee machine while Gerard sat down at the table. I felt uneasy, but I really wanted to impress this man.

"So, Gerard, how old are you?" I sat down at the table across from him and I placed my hands on the table.

"I'm twenty-four. How old are you?" Gerard placed his hands on the table as well and met my eyes calmly. I was looking down and not sure whether to tell him when Ray ran into the room and practically knocked me out of my chair. I laughed and held him back as he talked to me about how nice Mikey was. I just smiled and heard the coffee maker sound its alarm.

I yelled out through the apartment, "Coffee, anyone?" I heard a chorus of voices before I pulled out five coffee mugs.

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Song Of The Moment: Bewitched- Blood On The Dance Floor