Death Is Strange

TWENTY-THREE

Gerard came back the next morning. He seemed more relaxed than usual, but he kissed Frank soundly and held him close.

"You smell different," Frank mumbled against Gerard's neck.

Gerard tensed slightly, and relaxed again so fast Frank almost thought he'd imagined it. "Yeah," he admitted.

"Is it cologne, or is it Jeph?" Frank asked.

"Jeph's cologne," Gerard confessed.

"The fuck did you do? Sleep with him?"

"What?" Gerard pulled back, looking startled.

"What?" Frank repeated, eyes narrowing.

"It's not like that, you know," Gerard said. "I thought we went over this."

Ray had been putting away clothes in his dresser and politely ignoring the conversation up to this point, but now he crossed the room. "Frank," he said, "Gerard wouldn't hurt you like that."

Gerard's shoulders were hunched. "Yeah Frankie," he mumbled. "I slept on the couch with him. That's ALL."

"He has a bed, why didn't he sleep in his own bed?"

"Because he wanted to stay with me," Gerard said flatly. "Frank, I don't understand why it matters so much. I'm basically his kid brother. He told me he respected your property."

"My property? What the fuck? You're not my fucking slave," Frank said, crossing his arms.

Gerard looked like he was going to cry. "Prove it."

When Ray saw the look in Frank's eyes, he cleared his throat. "I'm gonna step out," Ray said quietly, and left, locking the door behind him.

Frank grabbed Gerard, tackling him back onto the bed, his kisses frenzied, rubbing his hand over Gerard's crotch. "I don't care," Frank hissed. "What you did doesn't matter after all."

Relief flooded Gerard and he kissed Frank back, Frank's hands coming up to tangle in Gerard's hair. "I love you," Gerard murmured, putting his hands up Frank's shirt, and then gasping, fingernails digging into Frank's ribs when Frank started grinding against him.

"Love you too," Frank breathed. "Gee, I'm sorry. I'm such an awful fuck. My anxiety took over," he whispered when he pulled back and unzipped his jeans.

"I'm sorry too." Gerard grabbed him by the neck of his shirt, pulling him close again to kiss him. "Now stop talking, Frankie." He pushed Frank away. "Take your clothes all the way off, for god's sake."

"Your mouth looks a little swollen, Gee." James raised an eyebrow, shooting Frank a knowing glance.

Gerard crossed his arms and said nothing.

"Do you need to be alone, Gerard?" James asked, looking more worried than offended. "I'd be happy to let you two have some more alone time. I just wanted to see how you were doing."

"I'll be fine," Gerard said flatly. "Bye, James."

James looked surprised. "Okay, Gee. Ciao."

Gerard threw himself face down on his bed, heaved a sigh, and then rolled over, beckoning Frank to join him. "We need to talk about what the fuck is happening to the world," he said. "It's seventy degrees outside today. It fucking snowed yesterday. And then I started thinking about your dream. About the tornado. I'm worried, Frank."

Frank lay down beside Gerard, running his fingers absentmindedly over Gerard's cheek. "Same, actually. I have something to mention, too." He cleared his throat. "We need to check Danny's room."