Subway Train ➫ Frerard

chpt. forty-three ➫ graduation

frank stood at the doorway, loudly and obnoxiously chewing on his bubblegum. he was dressed up in a fancy black button-up and a red tie, along with black slacks and dress shoes. frank hasn't looked this nice in a while, and it gave him a lot of confidence as well.

gerard was in the bathroom, getting ready for this one day that ultimately mattered to him. he wore something similar to frank, but it was covered by his burgundy red graduation gown, as well as his white hair which was hidden under his cap. he exhaled a breath of relief and satisfaction as he looked at himself in the mirror.

"don't screw up." gerard said to himself as he went to go greet frank by the doorway of their apartment, which they would be leaving the next day.

frank hugged gerard around the neck and planted a kiss on his neck. "aw."

gerard blushed at frank's remark. "i'm nervous as heck."

"that's alright, that's completely normal." frank tried to ease gerard's anxiety as much as possible. "don't be nervous, it's just anxiety washing over you—don't worry."

gerard kissed frank's lips and the feeling was left on frank's end. he was excited, yet nervous as well for gerard. it was one of the biggest days of his life, which he himself has never experienced.

the two exited the building and into the train station. this is one of the last times they'll be spending in a subway. gerard loved to reminisce about the time he met frank here. where it all began.

"hi, my name is frank."

"my name is gerard."

he smiled childishly as he remembered the conversation, and frank staying over, and the blossoming feelings they had for each other. he would miss having memories like that, but he knew that new, better ones would be created when they move.

as the two arrived at the school, gerard was one of the first ones there. there was a ping of satisfaction in frank's smile and talk as he chatted with a few of gerard's classmates and their relatives. it was unusual actually, frank has never been this social.

before the ceremony started, everyone took their seats, audience and students. but gerard took frank by the hand and led him into the back of the stage where everyone was to get ready.

"gerard you have to be out there." frank insisted.

"i know, but frank there's something I need to tell you." gerard held both of frank's hands in his and stared meaningly into his hazel-brown eyes.

"frank anthony iero..."

"from the moment i met you, i knew we'd be best friends for a long time. i guess I could say I loved you from the start, because really, I did. I'm glad to have you in my life, and i'll admit, there have been times when you'd make my blood boil but that's alright—i've still loved you the same."

tears welled in frank's eyes. he didn't want to cry, but he didn't have the power to stop them.

"frank i love you. i really, really love you," gerard paused. "i wish you understood how deep my love is for you, it's hard even for me to fathom. thank you. thank you for everything you've given to me, and done for me. every time we talk, all my pain and sorrow goes away, and it's replaced with happiness; the happiness you put in me. thank you for being the one person that has stuck by me. thank you." gerard pulled frank in for a hug. frank couldn't help but sob quietly in his shoulder. he felt extremely guilty for getting his gown wet, but gerard didn't mind it.

"i love you." frank whispered in a small voice.

gerard smiled. "I love you, too."

frank stepped back from gerard and glanced back and forth between him and the audience which he could see through the crack of the stage curtain.

"okay... buddy, look.. you got this." frank said, holding onto gerard's waist.

"thank you." he mouthed as he walked onto the stage, leaving frank in the back.

--

frank sat in the front, where he could see gerard clearly. the entire time, he hadn't noticed gerard was staring at him nervously.

"next up is our salutatorian, who has been through a lot this year," the lady (who frank only assumed was a professor, he wasn't paying attention to titles) said at the podium. "we'd like to congratulate mr. gerard arthur way."

the audience clapped for gerard, including frank who had tears of joy in his eyes. gerard accepted his diploma and salutatorian award at the front. he was also to give a speech, which frank caught entirely on video.

"thank you," gerard cleared his throat. "i'd like to thank everyone who supported me... uh, through this year. my parents...mikey..."

frank smiled as he noticed gerard doing that thing with his lip that he did when he was nervous.

"though this year had its ups and downs... the turbulence didn't affect me. a lot of things happened to me, and some things I'm thankful that they happened, others... not so much," the audience gave a small chuckle at that statement. "I'd honestly just.. would like to mention someone who has had a big impact on my life... I'd like to thank this person for being there for me in my darkest times, and my brightest days."

lyn-z adjusted herself in her chair, as if gerard was going to say her name.

"frank iero, thank you." gerard turned and spotted frank in the front. "thank you." he repeated. frank couldn't believe gerard had mentioned him in his speech... he was that special to him?

gerard closed his speech with a few words which frank didn't hear, but he was so astonished that he was put into his speech. he was so proud of gerard, and how far he had come.

frank noticed gerard mouthing words to him.

"thank you."