The picture doesn't really match the story, but it's the best I got. :/
Gerard had only been to five funerals in his entire life of seventeen years. He hadn't cried at any of them because he never felt very familiar with the deceased. They'd all been extended family or older friends of his parents'. He'd never lost someone close to him.
That was why he was completely wrecked when he heard the news that his grandmother, Elena, had passed away in her sleep. He didn't know how to handle it at first. He'd held Mikey as the younger boy cried, trying to hold himself together as well. When his mother took over comforting Mikey, he knew that he needed someone to help him.
He walked out the front door and across the street, not really bothering to look both ways. He reached the front door of the opposite house safely, and he knocked the special knock that meant that it was him at the door. And he kept himself together. He was composed and calm, perhaps overly so.
And that's what his best friend noticed first, his own smile fading as he recognized something was up. Gerard had never looked so bland. He wasn't good at hiding his emotions, and he never tried to. But now, Frank couldn't tell what he was feeling. That was, until they made eye contact. And then Gerard broke.
Frank caught him before he stumbled, holding him as he sobbed. Frank ran his hand through his friend's long hair, shushing him gently. He glanced across the street where he could see Mrs. Way standing on her porch, watching the scene unfold. Frank looked at her quizzically, wanting to help but not knowing how.
Mrs. Way made a slicing motion across her neck, and then grabbed at her heart. It was enough to tell Frank that someone dear to Gerard had died, and that was enough for Frank to help a little more. Frank nodded at Mrs. Way before carefully picking up the older boy and bringing him into his house.
Gerard was still crying against Frank's chest, and Frank pulled him closer, kissing his head as he walked to his room. Frank pushed open his bedroom door with his foot, and he sat down on his bed, careful not to jar his friend. He sat back on the bed, holding Gerard against him.
"Shh, it's okay baby, it's okay," he kissed the boy's forehead gently, "I'm here, Gee, I'm here for you, baby."
Frank held his best friend for almost an hour, whispering sweet words and rubbing his back gently. After a long while, Gerard had run out of tears. He managed to get out a few shaky words to his best friend.
"I'm sorry, Frank," he said quietly, not looking at him.
"I- I just didn't wanna- I didn't want to--to relapse... I'm sorry I bugged you..."
Frank pulled his rambling friend up to meet his eyes. He held eye contact for a few seconds before leaning in and kissing him. Gerard froze, not knowing what to do. Frank pulled away, his hands gripping Gerard's shoulders.
"Do not apologize to anyone for wanting to stay clean. Especially not me. You are my best fucking friend, and I love you so fucking much. If I can help you feel better when you're sad, I will do whatever the fuck it takes. I love you, Gerard Arthur Way, and you can come to me with anything and everything that's bothering you."
Gerard's eyes had started to water again during Frank's heartfelt little speech. Frank reached up and wiped away the tears that had fallen with his thumb. He looked Gerard in the eyes.
"Tell me what happened."
*************
Four days later, Frank was there at the funeral next to Gerard. He had known Elena, and she had always approved of Frank's little crush on Gerard. She'd also told Gerard many times in the past that he should go for it and ask Frank out. Neither of the boys had never had the courage, though.
She'd be giddy if she saw us now, Gerard thought as he walked down the aisle of the church, clutching Frank's hand tightly. Frank rubbed his thumb over Gerard's hand, trying to help him calm down. Gerard couldn't calm down, though; he was about to say goodbye to his grandmother forever.
They walked up to the closed casket, Gerard placing his free hand onto the sleek black surface. A tear fell onto the coffin, and Frank pulled Gerard into a hug before he could break down too badly. He whispered soothing words into the boy's hair and kissed the top of his head.
There was a gasp behind Gerard, and Frank saw one of Gerard's aunts staring at them in horror. She walked over to them, her face flushing with rage.
"Just what do you think you two are doing?! This is a church! Let go of my nephew and take your homosexuality away from here!"
Gerard let out a sob, clutching onto Frank as if he would die if they were separated. Frank glared at the woman.
"Even if this were a matter of my sexuality-- which it's not-- I still have a right to comfort my best friend. You don't have any right to deny him a friend in this time of sorrow. And besides, Elena was like a grandmother to me. She was actually the one who told me to act on my feelings towards Gerard."
The woman gasped, and Gerard's breath hitched.
"So, in the most polite way possible-- suck it!"
The woman came forward as if she was about to strike Frank, but one of the vases that was balanced on the coffin fell off and hit her in the face before shattering on the floor. Pieces of glass got lodged in her feet, and she cried out.
Frank pulled Gerard over to a quiet corner of the church, rubbing his back soothingly. Frank pulled Gerard away slightly, just enough to pepper light kisses across his face. Gerard leaned his head back into Frank's chest, listening to his heart beat.
Frank felt Gerard begin to shake, and for a second he thought he was crying. But when he pulled away, he saw a small smile on his lips. Frank smiled back.
"What's up?"
Gerard shrugged, letting his hair fall into his face.
"It's stupid..."
Frank shook his head.
"Whatever it is, it's got you smiling, so it's not stupid. What is it?"
Gerard smiled again, getting a faraway look in his still-teary eyes.
"Well... What you said about my grandma... How she told you to act on your feelings..."
Shit. Frank felt his face go red.
"She told me the same thing."
Frank's eyes widened, and Gerard continued.
"And the thing with the vase falling on Aunt Stephanie... What if that was her? Like, she's happy that we're acknowledging this now and wants to protect us. I don't know, it's stupid..." He trailed off, looking at the ground.
Frank gently tilted Gerard's head back, bringing their lips together softly. Frank tangled his hands in Gerard's hair, and Gerard wrapped his arms around Frank's waist. They heard a shout and then a crash, not breaking their kiss until a a few seconds after.
They saw that Aunt Stephanie had fallen due to a wooden board with Thou shalt not judge written on it. Gerard giggled quietly, and Frank smiled at the wonderful sound. Frank took his hand, walking them to their seats as the music started playing. They held hands throughout the entire service.
********
Gerard stood at Elena's grave with Frank, holding hands as they'd done nearly seven years ago. They shared a secret with Elena before walking away, still hand-in-hand. Months after that, they stood in the chapel where they'd said goodbye to Gerard's grandmother, and both grooms felt her presence as they went through the ceremony.
Aunt Stephanie wasn't invited.
