pretty when you cry//frerard

chapter 3

Gerard laid in bed, staring at the ceiling. He couldn't sleep, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop thinking about Iris and Vic and Kellin, and most importantly Frank.

He was so happy to finally fit in, to have a group. Back at his old school, he didn't have one of those, and him and Lindsey went to separate schools. 

The images of Logan kissing Frank was still fresh in Gerard's mind. He groaned, rolling into his stomach before shoving his face into his pillows. Suddenly, there was a quiet knock on his door, before it opened without Gerard's okay.

Mikey snuck in, looking at Gerard for any sign of movement. "Mikes?" Gerard whispered, making Mikey squeak, rushing over to the bed. Mikey was six, and he had nightmares. Gerard instinctively moved over, letting Mikey crawl in next to him.

"Another one?" Gerard whispered. Mikey nodded his head, tears still fresh in his eyes. "It's okay buddy." Gerard comforted him, wiping the tear off his cheek.

Gerard looked over Mikey's shoulder, seeing that his alarm clock read 2:33 AM. Both him and Mikey had school soon.

"C'mon Mikey, time for bed." Gerard told him, rubbing his back comfortingly as they both fell asleep.

Gerard woke up to the grumbling of his step father. "What's he doing in here!" He ranted. "I told him he needs to be a man and sleep in his own bed." He told Gerard, who just rolled his eyes.

"Yeah David, why won't a six year old man up? The world may never know." Gerard said sarcastically, quietly waking Mikey up.

"You need to stop babying that boy." David grumbled before finally walking away.

"Did you get in trouble because of me?" Mikey asked, rubbing his eyes, to which Gerard simply shook his head. "Alright buddy, up. Go get dressed and I'll make your lunch, okay?" Gerard said. Mikey smiled and nodded, running to his room.

Gerard sat up, getting dressed quickly before making Mikey and himself sandwiches. Mikey ran downstairs with his backpack, his shoes untied.

"Tie your shoes, Mikey." Gerard told him, putting their sandwiches in brown paper bags before dropping to his knees so he could tie Mikey's shoes. Okay, maybe he was babying him just a bit, but he was the only thing he had left and to be honest, Mikey deserved it with a douchebag like David living with him.

Gerard took his hand, leading him out to the car. He let Mikey sit in the front seat, and started on the drive to school. He saw a familiar dark haired boy walking on the side of the road. "Gee, who's that?" Mikey asked. "Just a friend, Mikes. Hold on." He said, pulling to the side of the road.

"Hey Frankie!" Gerard called out the window, getting the attention from the older boy. Frank smiled, walking over to the car. "Hey, Gee. Hey little buddy." He greet them. "Mikey get in the back please." Gerard spoke quietly, but Frank quickly objected. "Nah it's okay, I'm cool with the back seat." He said, smiling kindly at Mikey before climbing in the back.

"Seat belt?" Gerard said, looking at Frank in the mirror, but Frank just scoffed, shaking his head.

"You're Mikey?" Frank asked, making Mikey nod. "Well, I'm Frank, Gerard's boyfriend." Frank smirked.

Without missing a beat, Gerard slammed on the breaks, making frank fly into the back of Gerard's seat. Frank let out a noise. "You should have used your seatbelt." Gerard said. He tried to sound angry, but couldn't help but laugh at Frank's face.

Once they had dropped Mikey off, Gerard and frank walked into the school building together, both of them having the same class first hour.

"Your brother seems like a good kid." Frank commented, leaning against the locker next to Gerard's as he struggled to open it.

"Yeah, he's a sweet kid, I- fuck, can you help me open this?" He asked. Frank smiled, nodding his head before asking Gerard for the code. "3, 22, 13." He recited, blushing when frank opened it easily.

"There you go, babe." He said with a wink. Gerard was almost immune to Frank's flirty behavior - almost. His cheeks only went a little Rosy instead of bright red like usual.

Two could play at that game.

"Thank you." Gerard murmured, and then he did it. He kissed Frank's cheek. Very few people have seen Frank Iero blush, and Gerard was just added to the list. Frank stood there, cheeks flushed and mouth agape and Gerard smirked at him, turning and walking away.

Gerard finally returned home, Mikey hot on his tracks as he went upstairs, throwing his book bag down. On his way up the stairs, he ignored the stacks of dishes in the sink or the overflowing garbage that his sorry excuse for a step father never did anything about.

"Alright, Mikey. Homework time." Gerard told him, causing the younger boy to groan. "Right now, Gee? we just got home!" Mikey whined, throwing himself on the bed. "None of that, get to work and I'll make us a snack, okay?" Gerard told him. Without waiting for a response. he made his way down the stairs, suddenly coming face to face with David. "We're out of groceries." David grumbled.

"yeah? you gonna go get some more?" Gerard snapped back, making David glare at him. "That isn't my job." He said, making Gerard scoff. "Yes it is! you're the step father! It's your job! What would mom think-" "Your mother isn't here!" David yelled back. Tears instantly welled up in  Gerard's eyes.

"Gee?" a small voice sounded from the top of the stairs. "Mikey, go back to my room, I'll be up soon." Gerard told him. "But-" "Mikey, Go." Gerard said sternly. Mikey ran off, and Gerard turned, glaring at David, Before marching up the stairs. 

He stood outside his bedroom door, hastily wiping the tears off his face before going in to get Mikey. "C'mon buddy, lets go to the grocery store, yeah?" Gerard said, taking Mikey's hand. "You can pick out whatever snacks you want." He told his younger brother, pulling on a fake smile.

Luckily, by the time they got Downstairs, David was gone - and so was the car. "Shit." Gerard sighed, running his hand through his hair. what was he going to do now? suddenly he had the idea to call Iris. She wanted to hang out with him more, right? 

He pulled out his Phone, quickly finding her contact before calling her. "Hey, Gee!" She answered enthusiastically,  "What's up?" She asked. "Hey, Iris. uh I was wondering if you could come and get me and my little brother and take us to the grocery store. Shitty step dad took the car and we're out of food." Gee explained, and without a second thought,  Iris responded. "Yeah okay! I'll be there in just a minute."