Chapter Eleven.
Mikey stared at the shut door for a moment and then walked into the living room to see Gerard with his head in his hands. He didn't say anything.
"Why did you do that Mikes?" asked Gerard, his voice quiet but harsh.
"I knew you didn't know what to say to him when he asked who the message was from. I could tell you were thinking about it because your eyes kinda glazed over. I just thought that it would be easier to tell him the truth." Mikey replied, sitting on the couch tentatively. Gerard sighed and ran his hands through his hair before sitting up straight.
"Yeah well, now he hates me."
"He doesn't hate you Gee. He just doesn't know how to handle the situation. Neither of us have had same sex relationships before, it's new to us and him. He just doesn't know what to say or how to word It." said Mikey, trying to reassure his brother.
"Yeah and that's why he barely looked at me or hugged me when he left?"
"He's just in shock, you know what dad's like. He's unpredictable and he could have taken it a lot worse. You got off lightly; he didn't shout or give you a lecture. Just be positive, he'll come round."
Gerard thought for a moment, Mikey had a point. He always seemed to be the voice of reason despite being the youngest of the pair.
"I'm gonna text Frank, tell him to come over. I need to tell him about dad."
Gerard left for his room to find his phone and a bottle of vodka, shortly after sending Frank a rather brief message, the doorbell went and Gerard rushed downstairs to answer it.
"What happened?" asked Frank, looking concerned.
"Come on, I'll explain upstairs."
Gerard took Frank's hand and led him to his room. He sat him on his bed and explained about his dad. The bottle of alcohol trapped in his fist was spitting its contents with each jerk of Gerard's arm. He told Frank about what Mikey had said and what their dad did when he left. Frank just sat in silence, patient; letting Gerard tell his story. When he had finished, Frank stood up and hugged him. He didn't want to let go and Gerard could feel it.
"He can't be angry with his own son for too long. He doesn't hate you Gerard, how could anyone hate you?" Frank smiled despite Gerard not being able to see it. They stopped hugging and Frank looked at his taller, teary eyed boyfriend with a look of genuine sympathy. He looked down at Gerard's hand, the bottle was almost empty. True, half of it was now on the carpet but Frank knew Gerard had drunk most in the time it took him to get to the house. He said nothing, simply took the bottle off Gerard and placed it on the desk.
"I really love you Gerard," he said when he looked back at Gee, "but I don't want you drinking this much. You scare me sometimes."
"Sorry, I just don't know what else to do. I've been trying to keep clean but recently it's been really hard. I've been relying on you and Mikey a lot and I don't want you to feel pressurised into protecting me."
"I don't feel pressurised at all Gerard, don't be stupid," Frank said, taking Gerard's hand and pulling it towards him, causing Gerard's body to follow, "and I doubt Mikey does either. I'm gonna do whatever it takes to keep you off alcohol or at least help you cut down."
Gerard just looked at Frank, tears started welling in his eyes and he sunk to the floor. He sat, head in hands, and sobbed. His eyes were raw and he was shaking violently.
"I love you, I'm going to help." Frank said, sitting next to Gerard and putting his head on his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around Gerard and they sat in silence. The only sound that was heard was Gerard's soft sobs from inside his hands.