Figuring Out Frank Iero (gay/trans fanfic)

This chapter is shorter than the others, kinda like Frank

'Holy shit,' Frank burst out laughing out of a sheer feeling of awkwardness. It took a while for them to calm down, but when they did Frank lit their third cigarette since Mikey left and lay down on his bed. 'Sorry, that was really awkward.'

'It's ok, just don't tell anyone,' Gerard said standing up.

'I won't, I'll enjoy knowing more if nobody else knows.'

'You'll enjoy knowing I top guys?' Gerard raised and eyebrow to Frank who turned a light pink colour and tried to focus on their cigarette.

'Not like that,' they sighed.

'Rude,' Gerard rolled his eyes before sitting next to Frank and stealing the cigarette from between their lips.

'I'm the rude one?'

'I didn't insult you, so yes.'

'I did not insult you,' Frank rolled their eyes.

'Maybe you just don't think you did.'

'Aw well, I'm sorry for insulting you then.'

'Ok,' Gerard handed the cigarette back to Frank who promptly took a long drag.

'You should still apologise for taking my cigarette.' Frank said before holding the cigarette up to Gerard's mouth.

Gerard took and drag and exhaled, 'nahh,' blowing the smoke directly into Frank's face.

'You're so rude.'

'Whatever you say.' Gerard took the cigarette from Frank's hand, 'these are really bad for you, you know.'

'I know,' Frank shrugged as Gerard finished the cigarette and put it out in the ashtray beside Mikey's bed.

'You should consider giving them up,' Gerard shrugged and lay down on his brothers bed beside his brothers best friend.

'You should consider giving them up,' Frank mimicked.

'Hey, I'm too far down the rabbit hole, anyway, I'm just trying to help. I couldn't be a responsible big brother if I didn't worn Mikey and his friends about the dangers of smoking.'

'You didn't really warn me about the dangers of smoking, but ok,' Frank chuckled lightly.

'I haven't warned your of the dangers of smoking yet, there's a mandatory lecture with a powerpoint on Friday night, didn't Mikey tell you?' Gerard looked over at Frank who was staring at him in complete shock.

'Um, no?' they replied hesitantly.

'7pm, sharp, bring your own snacks, it may take a while...' Gerard smiled.

They sat together in silence for a moment before Gerard noticed Frank looking uncomfortable and having a difficult time breathing as they lay beside him. Their face was scrunched slightly as though they were in pain.

'Are you ok?'

'I'm fine, yeah,' they replied breathlessly.

'No, you aren't. What's wrong?'

'Nothing, it's all good.' they shut their eyes softly, 'I'm ok.'

'Should I call Mikey? Will you tell him what's wrong? Should I phone an ambulance? Do you need a doctor?' Gerard asked panicked.

'I'm fine, I swear.'

'I'm calling Mikey,' Gerard stood up and left the room.

'Hey, Gee, what's up?'

'There's something wrong with your friend. They're in pain or something, they aren't breathing normally. At least I don't think it's normal?' Gerard rushed through his words.

'Fuuuck sake. Can you give them the phone?' Mikey sighed on the other end of the phone as Gerard walked back into his brothers room.

'Mikey wants to talk to you,' he tossed his phone towards Frank and stood against the frame of the door, listening to Frank's response but not knowing what Mikey was saying.

'Hey,' Frank smiled. There was a pause as Mikey spoke on the other end. 'I did yeah...I know...I'm sorry...I just feel very uncomfortable without it...I know but...ok...no I'm fine, just come back whenever,' Frank sighed and hung up the phone.

'Can you maybe leave?' their words directed at Gerard as the looked awkwardly at the floor.

'Are you ok?' he bit his lip.

'Yeah, I'm fine, I swear.' Frank shrugged and sighed. Gerard nodded slowly and left the room reluctantly.

'Frank, did you put your binder back on?...You shouldn't have done that, it's so bad for you...I know you do, you'll be fine without it for a little while, you aren't in public or anything...No, not but, Gerard won't give a fuck, make him leave if you want, please...thank you. Should I come back?'

'Is Frank ok? Should we go check on them? Should you go?' Pete looked up at Mikey with worry in his eyes, he had been not so patiently waiting on Mikey to finish on the phone before asking any questions, he felt like he was dying holding them in.

'They said they're ok and said not to go back but I'd still like to, if that's ok?' Mikey chewed at his lip for a moment.

'Of course, lets go,' Pete smiled and took Mikey's hand, resulting in Mikey staring bewildered at their hands for a moment before beginning to walk home.

'Hey, Frank!' Mikey called as he walked through the front door. 'We're back!'

'Hey lil brother, hey Pete, your friend is still in your room,' Gerard called from the sofa.

'Ok, thanks,' Mikey called before taking the stairs two at a time. 'You're in trouble,' he called out as her reached for the door handle.