Listen Before You Go

Epilogue; The End

nOW COME ONE COME ALL TO THIS TRAGIC AFFAIR-

Don't be the person that reads the end first. I see you. I see everything.

Gerard yawned as he unlocked and pushed the door open groggily, still coming off of his dose of Xanax. Frank gently placed his bag on the floor and Gerard walked in.

"I don't know how clean it is in here." Gerard said quietly to avoid waking someone. He flipped on a lamp and grimaced at the mess.

Frank blinked at the light and then looked around as his boyfriend attempted to clean up.

All bricked walls and wooded floors, the apartment smelled of musty pine. The small entrance room bled into the living room, Frank could already see the half finished drawings and -hopefully empty- coffee mugs. There was a small end table with a little wooden bowl on it that Gerard had dropped his keys into. Next to the bowl were tiny, unscented tea candles. There was a small pile of magazines and comics, next to a slightly larger pile of notebooks and sticky-notes, on a countertop that likely connected to a kitchen around the corner.

Frank looked over at Gerard, who was skimming through a stack of papers as he threw them into the trashcan, leaning over the counter.

The one he's in love with. The one who took him home. The one he loves. The one who loves him. The one, perhaps.

"Sorry for the mess, love." Gerard said with a smile, dropping the full stack of paper into the can. "I didn't know I was bringing anyone home."

"Gerard." Frank voice cracked. "I love you." He was crying.

Gerard looked up at him and his expression dropped into worry. He ran over to him and held Frank's cheeks, wiping the tears away and looking into his eyes.

"What's wrong, baby?" He asked. "Is something bad?"

Frank smiled and shook his head. "It's perfect." He laughed lightly and sniffed. "Everything's perfect."

"Then why..." Gerard trailed off, frowning confusedly.

"Because I'm so happy." Frank covered Gerard's hands with his own. "I'm in France with the one I love. I am so happy. Three months ago I was all alone in my parents' house, but you've taken me away."

Tears welled up in Gerard's eyes. "Oh, mon cheri."

"I used to be so angry and hurt." Frank said. "I'm a different and better person because of you. Because you helped me."

"I love you." Gerard whispered, tears falling. He hugged his boyfriend close. "I love you."

"I love you too." Frank kissed his face all over, showering them all over his cheeks and neck.

Bringing Frank home was the best decision in Gerard's life.

~ ~ ~

So, now you're ready for the wrap-up.

As a successful artist, and with a likelihood of getting a teacher position at the local school, Gerard was totally okay with supporting both himself and his boyfriend. Frank, of course, disagreed, and started working at a music store, though he can't do very much there yet, because he barely speaks a sentence of French.

Gerard's grandparents did a CIA level interrogation on Frank and came to the conclusion that they love him (thank God). Gerard's grandpa was a little skeptical at first, and put him to work in the garden, but, in all honesty, that was expected.