"Gerard," Frank said quietly.
Gerard stumbled through the door, holding onto the knob for support.
"God," Frank mumbled. "You're hammered."
Gerard ignored him and carefully let go of the doorknob, attempting to navigate his way past Frank, but Frank gently put his hand on his chest to stop him.
"Listen to me," Frank said, his voice shaking.
He turned Gerard's head to face him, because he could see him trying to look away.
"I said listen."
Gerard scowled and looked down at him.
"Listen," Frank repeated, this time more gently. "This needs to stop." He gestured towards Gerard, who looked like he was having trouble holding down his own weight. Frank could already feel himself on the verge of tears. "You're going to hurt yourself, Gerard. You've hurt me already. But remember what happened last time? Remember how the doctors thought you would never wake up?"
Gerard's face displayed an expression of recognition, but only for a second. He went right back to scowling before Frank could process that he remembered.
"I want to help you. Save you," Frank said. A tear finally slipped out of his eye, and once that one did, they didn't stop. "But I can't save the both of us."
Who's Frank to tell me what to do? Gerard thought. Besides, he was older than Frank. He could make his own decisions. Right?
"Please, Gerard. Help me save us. Help me save myself and you. One can't save two. I need you to help me." With the heel of his hand, he wiped the tears off of his cheeks - the same cheeks Gerard used to wipe with his thumb.
Frank shivered and wrapped his arms around himself, longing for his arms to be Gerard's instead.
"I can't," Gerard finally said.
"W-what?" Frank stuttered. Gerard had talked, but once again, was not saying what Frank wanted to hear.
"I can't!"
"Can't... Can't what?" Frank asked.
"Can't.. st - st..." Gerard stammered. He turned away and opened the door.
"Stop!" Frank exclaimed. He grabbed Gerard's hood and yanked him back. "You always go out! Where are you going? Where are you at this hour? It's three in the morning! Why are you never home? Who are you leaving me for? Tell me, Gerard! Tell me!"
Gerard clenched his fist, and without thinking, punched Frank and took off, slamming the door behind him.
"G-Gerard," Frank choked, still sobbing. His hand flew up to his bleeding nose and he pulled himself up off the ground, throwing the door open. "You can't drive! You're drunk!" he screamed.
"I'll walk!" Gerard yelled back.
"Please be safe," he whispered, the blood and tears flowing. He wanted to chase after Gerard, but he was far too afraid to be running around at this hour, especially when anyone could be anywhere. He was alone when he was home, but was always almost positive he wasn't alone when he was outdoors. He didn't know what scared him more; the loneliness, or the idea that anyone could be lurking in the shadows.
"Come home. Please, Gerard, just come home!" But he knew he wouldn't come home. So he waited, and he waited, but the loneliness was louder than the hope.
"I love you," Frank called out to no one. Gerard was long gone, God knows where. "I'm sorry. I love you."
