Subway Train ➫ Frerard

chpt. forty-four ➫ ready?

frank met with gerard off stage after the graduation and pulled him into a tight hug. gerard picked frank up and spun him around in happiness.

"frankie," gerard whispered. "i did it."

frank nodded at gerard. "yes, baby, yes you did."

frank and gerard shared a long kiss, in the midst of congratulatory expressions and overlapped shouts of celebration. gerard would never let this moment slip by. he was glad frank got to spend it with him.

mikey arrived a bit after the graduation, still there to congratulate gerard. a lot of photos were taken before frank could be with gerard again.

"hey mikey." frank high-fived mikey as a greeting.

"hi frank," he said awkwardly. "so... i heard you're moving out to cali with gerard?"

frank nodded. "yeah."

"you two have fun. don't rush anything, ya know what I mean." mikey winked rhetorically while nudging frank's elbow. the two shared a laugh at mikey's awkward remark.

"thanks mikey." frank gave mikey a quick hug.

"no problem. you're like a brother to me almost... but it'd be kinda weird, because gerard's my brother too, and if you were my brother and you guys were dating... that'd be kinda incest-y." mikey made this weird expression showing cringeworthy distaste and frank ridiculously understood.

"I get it." frank laughed with mikey as they both noticed gerard coming towards them.

"ready to go, frank?" gerard asked.

"go where?" frank replied, switching glances between mikey and gerard.

mikey spun a ring of keys around his finger as gerard responded. "we're going to see your parents."

--

frank told mikey the address, or pieces of it he remembered and they got to new jersey, safe and sound. mikey stayed in the car, as gerard and frank stood outside of the door of frank's old home.

gerard removed his graduation gear, which left him in a black button-up and a red bow tie. frank and gee exchanged glances, laughing at the similarity of their outfits.

gerard licked his lips. "ready?"

frank nodded as he buzzed the doorbell on the side of the door.

"hello?" a short woman opened the door. she had a fair resemblance to frank, so gerard assumed it was his mother. he was quite taller than her, causing him to look down at her.

frank took a deep breath. "hi."

"hi," the woman smiled. "is there anything i can help you two with?"

frank looked at gerard with a solemnly empty expression, as if he was saying "she doesn't remember me."

gerard cleared his throat and spoke. "hi, um, i'm gerard way..." gerard held his hand out for the woman to shake it, and she did.

frank shakily stuck his hand out. "i-i... iero... frank iero..."

the woman stared wide-eyed at frank, knowing exactly who he was. "oh, my baby!" she took frank into her arms as frank hugged her tightly.

"hi mom." he said quietly.

"frank, your father and i have never stopped looking for you... where have you been? are you alright?" obviously, mrs. iero had a lot of questions. she let gerard and frank into her home and they all talked together.

"i'm alright, mom. just to answer a few questions you might have, i'm 20, almost 21. i've been in new york city, near gramercy park, living with gerard for almost six months... i've been homeless since I was 18, i'm not sure if you remembered me walking out and never coming back..." frank felt the memories flood back into his mind, as well as the tears beginning to form in his eyes.

"oh, frank," mrs. iero wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. "i remember everything so vividly... we're so sorry for how we've treated you, baby... we never stopped searching for you after you left us and never came back... little did we know you were only an hour away from us.." mrs. iero could barely talk. she was so happy she saw frank again, that she was almost overjoyed.

"anyways mom... you remember why i walked out right?"

"yes.. I do," she sniffled."i'm letting you know now that I fully support you... and so does your dad..."

"that's good, and i'm happy about that. now I have some news for you... and I understand you'll be angry or confused, but it is my decision, okay mom?" frank talked very fast, but his mom caught every word.

gerard remained silent throughout this conversation. he didn't feel like he had to talk about with mrs. iero.

"mom, i am bisexual, yes you know that. gerard is my boyfriend... and we're moving." frank spoke slow this time, almost too slow.

"oh..." mrs. iero turned to gerard with a look of concern. instead of something bad, or a lecture as gerard had expected, she instead held gerard's hands and spoke softly. "gerard, you seem like a very, very lovely boy. i'm glad frank has found someone he can find comfort in, and I appreciate you for taking care for my son. you're now family to me... to us... I'm sure frank's father would be ecstatic to meet you, but he's at work unfortunately—I will tell him all about you. all I ask is please... please take care of frank. he's no longer my baby... but yours. please take care of him."

gerard nodded. "i will. thank you, mrs. iero."

"and frank," she turned to frank with red eyes from crying. "please... no more walking out... I've missed out on you for so long—I want us to be close again. I love you so much, frank iero. don't make any stupid decisions, please. I love you." mrs. iero kissed frank on the head, tears streaming down her face.

"I love you, too, mom." frank embraced his mother in a long hug. they both cried into each other's shoulder. gerard was touched, and he almost began crying himself.

"I love you both... good luck." mrs. iero waved them both goodbye and a goodluck, but she didn't let frank leave without getting his number.

as they walked out of the house, mikey noticed what an emotional wreck the both of them were.

"are you guys alright?" mikey asked as they sat in the car.

"very." frank responded.