like ghosts in the snow ; frerard

twenty-nine

here it is

"Gerard!" Frank called out into the seemingly empty house, inevitably receiving no reply- the unlocked door open behind him.
He bit his lip and walked deeper into the house, recognizing certain rooms, seeing as he had been there a few times before.

His eyebrows furrowed as he attempted to remember where Gerard's bedroom when he heard.. some sort of sound.
Sounded like sobbing.
It was sobbing - from downstairs.

Frank instantly followed the noise and ran down the steps to the basement, opening the first door he saw. Luckily, it was Gerard's room. He could deduce that once he saw paper scattered across the floor, along with pencils and books.

Frank looked around, seeing a large bump underneath the covers on Gerard's bed. He approached it, trying to be as quiet as possible- but his boots were most definitely giving him away.
He carefully sat down next to Gerard (who was still hiding under the covers), and the crying quieted down a little, as if he didn't want to be embarrassed.

"Hey, Gee.." he whispered softly, his hand traveling to what he guessed was Gerard's back to rub it comfortingly. The boy sniffled quietly, and Frank could've sworn he heard his heart fucking breaking on the spot.
"Can i see that pretty face of yours, hm?" He asked, leaning down slightly. He could see some sort of nodding motion, so he gently etched down the blanket.

Gerard was a mess.

His eyes were red and puffy, his cheeks were tear-stained, and his hair was messy and unwashed. But he was still beautiful to Frank.
The younger boy sighed at the sight of his best friend like that, moving to lay down next to him. He caressed his cheekbone gently, hoping to comfort him somehow.
"You wanna talk about it?" He whispered, frowning sympathetically.

Gerard just shook his head quietly, not bothering with a verbal response. His voice was probably shattered after continuous hours of relentless sobbing. He leaned into the touch, appreciating some form of human contact other than his mother.

"That's okay." Frank hummed and gently say Gerard up, wrapping his arms around the boy's small frame.
"Gosh, you're skinny-" he noted as he faintly felt his ribs, though he didn't lift up his shirt or anything. He didn't want Gerard to feel uncomfortable.

Gerard sighed after a few moments of silence, eventually giving in and moving his arms around Frank's shoulders, burying his face in the crook of his neck. Some of the boy's tears traveled down onto Frank's shirt, but he didn't give a shit. If Gerard needed to cry, he was allowed to cry. If Gerard wanted the fucking moon, Frank would go up there and get it for him. Long story short, he would do anything for him if he asked.

"M-Mikey.." Gerard forced out, his voice groggy and full of despair. Frank just hushed him, rubbing his back.
"I know, Gerard. I know." He murmured, staring blankly at the wall.

"He's gone. Oh god, he's gone,"  Gerard broke down for the third time that day, racking with sobs. His voice shook, just like his body.
It was like his metaphorical heart was being violently torn out of his body.

He was gone.