Can You Sign This Photograph?

Chapter 1

Two weeks. That's how long Gerard had locked himself away in his room for. Frank could understand though, the things he'd seen that day ... on the 11th of September 2001, the things Gerard had seen would be enough to drive anyone partially insane and deeply depressed.

"I'm making coffee Gee, do you want some?" Frank knocked quietly on Gerard's bedroom door, not opening it in fear that Gerard would have another rant about his privacy. "It's closed for a reason Frank! If I wanted anyone to walk in it'd be fucking open wouldn't it? I'll hang a sign up maybe saying just fuckin' walk right in! Gerard won't fuckin' mind! Hmm? Just fuck off and don't do it again Frank!" Which had been enough to scare Frank off for a couple of hours.

"Yes." Gerard's voice trembled slightly as Frank walked away to grab the coffee he had already made for Gerard that was sat cosily on the kitchen counter.

"Can I come in?" Frank asked softly to Gerard's bedroom door, awkwardly juggling both his and Gerard's coffees in one hand as he knocked.

"Yes." His voice trembled slightly once again.

In all the years Frank had known him (and that was 10 long ones by now) Gerard hadn't changed his room a single bit apart from the few items of Frank's (his clothes for a start and various little ornaments that sat on Gerard's art desk).

"Afternoon." Frank smiled calmly at Gerard who was wrapped up in their bed whilst he opened the door and shut it carefully behind him, trying not to spill the drinks still held precariously in his single grip. Gerard weakly smiled, his eyes red from crying and his skin paler then usual. "Here." Frank handed Gerard his black misfits mug containing the bitter liquid Gerard craved.

"Thanks." He muttered before gulping the hot drink down and placing the cup on his desk.

"You look awful Gee." Frank pointed out, sitting down next to Gerard on the black duvet thrown over the emotional wreck that was his boyfriend.

"Nice of you to point it out." Gerard muttered, staring vacantly past Frank's spiked hair. Slowly, Frank shifted his weight to move a piece of Gerard's hair out of his face, leaning into the dark haired boys pale face and pressing their noses together.

"I'd ask how you are but I know the answer." Frank whispered, stroking Gerard's tear stained cheek. Before Frank knew what was happening, Gerard wrapped his arms around Frank's neck and released a new wave of sobs, soaking Frank's shoulder with his tears.

"I can't get it out my head Frankie, it won't go!" Gerard spoke hysterically, gripping onto his boyfriend.

"Hey calm it Gee! It's gunna be okay! Your fine and to me that's all that matters! Yes it was horrible what happened to all those people but what good are you doing here hmm?" Frank whispered softly, pulling Gerard away slightly and wiping away his tears.

"Why Frankie? Why'd they do it? All those people ... their families ... they have to go by everyday without them and that's ... that's horrible Frankie!" Gerard burst out sobbing once again and grabbed onto Frank's baggy misfits sweater for support. Frank held Gerard for along time before Gerard pulled away sniffing and wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand.

"I'm sorry Frank." Gerard muttered, looking down at his hands in discomfort.

"What for hun?" Frank stroked Gerard's cheek, calming the distressed wreck.

"For being a mess ..." He carried on looking down at his hands first in discomfort then in curiosity as Frank grabbed hold of them and pulled them to his face.

"You've got nothing to be sorry for Gerard. It's okay for you to be upset about it all. You saw ..." Frank trailed off, blocking out what Gerard had told him that day, "it's okay. Just, if not for me then your mum, come out of here? Go back into the real world Gerard. You can't stay in here forever." Frank hugged Gerard tightly before kissing his cheek and getting up to leave.

"Don't go!" Gerard exclaimed, grabbing onto Frank's arm and pulling the small man back down to his seat on their bed.

"I won't." Frank smiled mildly as Gerard grabbed onto him, pressing his head into Frank's neck. "I won't." He muttered, stroking Gerard's long, ebony hair.