Frank was at a loss for words, not sure if he had done the right thing or not by telling Gerard.
"You don't have to hide from me." Frank put his hand gently on Gerard's knee, trying to comfort him but worried that he'd made him mad. Gerard wiped his eyes and looked up, trying to smile and laugh it off.
"I know, I just feel like I have to put up a front for you, like I have to be the strong one. I don't want to worry you, you know?" He looked into his eyes with a false confidence that Frank could see right through.
"You don't have to be strong for me, I know it hurts. Trust me. I'm not okay, either. I never have been, but I do know that you have to let it out sometimes. It's better if you do." Gerard still hadn't pushed Frank's hand away, so he slowly slid it up and touched Gerard's hand with just his fingertips. Gerard noticed and flinched at his touch, but didn't move his hand.
"This just sucks. I mean, I trusted her. Something about her told me that she was honest; not innocent, but honest... How could I have let that happen? I let my guard down for one day and this…" Gerard's breath came out in gasps, his cheeks still wet from crying. Frank felt terrible for telling him. They sat there for a while before Gerard pushed his hand closer and slid his fingers in between Frank's. He didn't look up at first, but eventually their eyes met. They both stared at each other, questioning everything that had happened up to that point. Sitting there alone with their fingers intertwined, they didn't know what to do. Everything Gerard had said until now had made it clear to Frank that he didn't like him, but something in his eyes said that it had all been a cover. Frank wanted to ask him so many questions and he wanted to know what was going through his mind. He was sure they were both thinking the same things, but it would have been better to make sure.
"F-Frank," Gerard stuttered, "can you…forgive me?" Frank was surprised at his question, not knowing what he meant.
"What am I forgiving you for?" He tried not to look excited, even though he had fifty different scenarios going through his head.
"Everything. I kept saying I didn't like you and then I left you all alone and doing that with Lynz was just stupid…" He paused, waiting for Frank to answer.
"Of course I forgive you." Frank tightened his grip on Gerard's hand and they both sat silently for a while, still thinking.