Eventually the small group comprised of the healers Billie Joe had gathered as well as Gerard and Frank made it off of the beach onto smoother ground. Gerard used the utmost care when Billie motioned for him to lie Frank down, not wanting to add to the pain that Frank was already in by jostling him about unnecessarily.

Frank shivered slightly as Gerard watched attentively, his damaged body trembling as if it missed the warmth Gerard had provided him with. Gerard wanted to ask if he could pick Frank back up again, maybe place him in his lap so he would be more comfortable, and also because not being able to feel Frank's heartbeat had Gerard on edge and shaky, but before he could speak, the healers began making a circle around Frank, bringing their glowing hands down to touch any spot of exposed skin that they could reach.

Gerard watched nervously from the sidelines, wishing that he could do more to help instead of being a silent observer, but demons had no skill in healing anyone but themselves, even now he could feel the lacerations on his back starting to knit together again, although the numerous burns he had received didn't seem to be improving just yet.

Billie Joe was the last to join the ring, kneeling down by Gerard's side before placing his palm in the center of Frank's chest, his fingers glowing with the light blue sheen that signified angel magic was taking place. Gerard bit his lip as Billie Joe nodded toward the others surrounding him, signaling them to begin the process that would hopefully bring Frank back from the brink of death.

Gerard watched avidly for any sign of improvement as the seconds ticked by, but besides a few minute changes including a bit of his hair growing back and a few of his smaller wounds disappearing, Gerard couldn't pick out any visible difference in Frank's condition.

These things probably took time though Gerard reminded himself, his own experience with healing hadn't been instantaneous, but Gerard had always thought that was because he was a demon. He briefly recalled that when Billie Joe had mended Frank's wing it had been a quick process, but maybe knitting bones was easier than erasing burns.

Gerard had no idea how any of this worked, but he did know that Frank didn't look any better and that Billie Joe's face was scrunching up in worry, neither of which were a good sign.

"Billie...is something wrong?" Gerard asked quietly, not wanting to disrupt his friend's concentration but also needing to know what was occurring with Frank.

"I - I am not sure yet," Billie Joe muttered in reply, never taking his eyes off of Frank even when addressing Gerard. "His injuries are very severe, so I am not surprised that the healing process isn't as swift as usual, but he should have at least regained consciousness by now."

"Hey," a new voice spoke from behind them, startling Gerard so badly that he couldn't stop himself from jumping in an embarrassing fashion, a blush staining his cheeks when he saw that it was just Brendon and Ryan, the latter of which was clutching his bleeding arm to his chest, but they were alive and smiling at least. "How is Frank doing?" Brendon queried, wrapping his arm around Ryan when the taller man leaned into his side heavily.

"I don't know, but he's fighting just like he promised he would," Gerard replied softly, settling back on his heels so he could keep up his vigil in a slightly more comfortable position.

"That's good, he's going to make it Gerard, he wouldn't leave you behind," Brendon reassured him, his eyes dancing over the healers who were still hard at work to their right. "Do you want to get yourself healed while they're busy with Frank? There is another team by the tents that are taking care of the worst injuries, and you look like you're about to pass out."

"No," Gerard shook his head stubbornly, threading his fingers tightly through Frank's prone ones as he spoke before pulling his hand away when he remembered how burned his husband's appendages were. "I've got to stay with him, and the last time I was healed by Holy Fire I was out of it for ages, so I'd rather not risk it. I'll mend on my own eventually."

"At least let us bandaged you up," Brendon offered, and although Gerard knew he was just trying to help, the only thing he wanted right now was to be left alone so he could monitor Frank's progress.

"I'm fine - really," Gerard sighed, and he wasn't lying.

Yes - his wounds did hurt, but they were insignificant compared to the ever present ache in his chest that was comprised of his fears and worries all involving Frank's wellbeing. His burns were nowhere near as serious as Frank's anyway, so he could worry about them later on once he was sure that Frank was safe.

Brendon wasn't given a chance to argue back after that, because just then, a pained cry broke through their conversation, and Gerard could no longer focus on anything else, because it was his husband that had made that sound, and Gerard's protective instincts were instantly on alert as he crowded as close as he could without getting in the way.

When another whimper left Frank's mouth, Gerard gave up on trying to keep to himself, pushing his way into the circle of healers until he was now a part of them instead of a hovering outlier, his lungs ceasing to function as he observed Frank's creased brow and labored breathing.

Frank was hurting, which wasn't right, this wasn't supposed to happen. If he survived the fight with the Leviathan, everything was going to work out in the end, Billie Joe would heal him and they would continue on with their lives that had been interrupted by the monster's arrival, but Gerard couldn't shake the sinking feeling in his stomach that was alerting him to the fact that something had gone horribly wrong.

Frank screamed again then, his body convulsing weakly from side to side, almost as if he was attempting to get away from the glowing hands that were in the process of healing him. Tears welled in Gerard's eyes when Frank reached out blindly like he knew Gerard was there, a few stray drops slipping past his lashes when he blinked rapidly in the hopes of clearing them.

"Billie?" Gerard questioned in a brief period of silence, unable to voice anything else besides his friend's name although he had a thousand things he wanted to ask bubbling at the tip of his tongue, but luckily Billie Joe seemed to understand the queries that he wasn't able to give voice to.

"I don't know why, but it seems as if Frank's body is rejecting the Holy Fire," Billie explained while doing his best to keep his hand on Frank's heaving chest. "Maybe it's an effect from being exposed to so much of the Leviathan's blood, or something to do with the prophecy, but whatever the case is, he's not mending the way that he should.

"But that's...you have to help him Billie, I can't..." Gerard mumbled weakly, a thick sob welling in his throat and leaving him incapable of speech. "Please?"

"I'm still trying Gerard," Billie promised, "but I'm afraid it's hurting him more than anything else."

As if to back up Billie Joe's words, Frank cried out again just then, his spine jackknifing forward sharply as Billie increased the power of his Holy Fire, or at least Gerard assumed that was what he did given the fact that his hand glowed brighter than it had a few seconds ago. Gerard shifted as much as he could without knocking over Billie Joe, catching Frank when his body fell backward before it could hit the ground.

"It's okay baby, I'm right here, I've got you," Gerard whispered, his fingers stroking across any spot of unblemished skin that he could reach. "We are trying to save you, you just have to let us."

"G-Gerard?" Frank asked hoarsely, the fact that Frank had spoken at all startling him since he hadn't said a word after Gerard had retrieved him from the Leviathan's mouth.

"Yeah love, it's me, just listen to my voice and it will all be over soon, can you do that?"

"I - I...fuck," Frank cursed, his eyes fluttering open for a brief moment before his lids squeezed shut again. "It hurts so much Gerard."

"I know sugar, I'm sorry," Gerard whimpered, stroking his thumb over the back of Frank's hand which contained the least amount of damage.

"Make it stop Gerard - I can't take it," Frank gasped sharply as his entire body began to tremble harshly. "I think it's killing me."

"I don't know what else to do," Gerard sobbed harshly, the expulsion ripping through his throat before he could choke it back. "If we don't heal you, you'll die from your injuries."

"Help me," Frank shrieked suddenly, his eyes rolling up in his head as his shakes became almost violent in nature. "Gee please," Frank gasped, a shudder wracking his small frame before he lost consciousness once more, and even though Gerard knew that it wasn't a good sign, he was glad that Frank was escaping from his agony for a short time.

"Billie this isn't working," Gerard admitted, another sob escaping from his mouth as he clutched to Frank's still form. "Maybe if we wait for a bit, whatever is causing this will fade away."

"I'm just afraid that if I stop he'll die. He is healing if you look, just unnaturally slowly," Billie heaved out in between deep gulps for oxygen, and it was only then that Gerard realized that the other angel looked decidedly winded; a light sheen of sweat had broken out on his forehead, and his face was visibly paling with every passing moment.

"Gerard's right Billie, you both need a break before you keel over or Frank does," Brendon cut in, gently grabbing Billie Joe's wrists so he could lift him off of Frank, the other healers who hadn't already tired out falling back as well once Billie nodded weakly and allowed himself to be pulled away.

Gerard eased Frank into his lap as soon as he was free to do so, cradling his wounded body to his chest as if that would protect him from the horrible sensations he was currently experiencing. Frank instantly curled into Gerard even though he still appeared to be unconscious, his head resting over Gerard's heart before he ceased to move again.

Gerard didn't know what to do now, or how to feel, because Frank might still be alive, but he had no idea for how long, or how he was supposed to save him if traditional angel magic wasn't working, leaving him filled with desolation and confusion that emerged in the form of tears that were now steadily streaming down his cheeks.

Gerard couldn't stop crying once he started, his emotions were going haywire and they wouldn't be stabilized until someone promised him that there was a way to save Frank. Billie Joe had helped, Frank had healed slightly, but his torso and arms were still covered in blistering wounds, and Gerard wanted them gone, he needed to know that Frank would be all right or he wouldn't have the strength to leave this site.

Gerard once again regretted not taking his husband's place, although he had no confirmation that the outcome would have been any different, but maybe his body could have healed itself, or maybe not. Gerard still didn't understand why Frank wasn't mending properly, so he might have been similarly affected if he had been the one to wield the sword of Michael instead.

This could be the sacrifice the prophecy had forewarned of, meaning that no matter how hard they tried, Frank's death was inevitable, but Gerard refused to dwell on those thoughts, they were doing nothing but making him cry even harder when he considered them coming true, and hadn't they given up enough, did Frank really have to die as well?

"Gerard, can you hear me?" a voice broke through Gerard's thoughts, Brendon's maybe, he couldn't tell over the pounding rush of blood in his ears, but he managed to force himself to function for a little while longer, looking up to see Brendon and Ryan both peering down at him with concern painted across their features.

"Yeah...I'm sorry," Gerard muttered, wiping his eyes harshly before glancing back at Frank. He was still unconscious, but he was breathing easier than before, and he wasn't crying out or shaking anymore at the very least.

"We need to get back to Heaven, Billie Joe thinks that might help kick start the healing process since Frank's angel essence will begin to renew itself there."

"Okay," Gerard responded numbly, straightening out his stiff legs so he could stumble to his feet with Frank still in his arms.

"Do you want some help carrying him?" Brendon suggested, but the mere idea of not having any physical contact with Frank had Gerard flinching away from his friend, his hands curling protectively around Frank's spine even though he knew that Brendon would never hurt his husband. "Never mind, just let me know if he gets too heavy," Brendon retracted his offer, obviously catching onto Gerard's distress.

"I will," Gerard whispered, his voice scratchy and rough from his recent bout of tears.

"We should hurry," Billie Joe announced, staggering into a standing position almost as ungracefully as Gerard had. "The sooner Frank returns to Heaven the better chance he has..." Billie Joe trailed off suddenly, his pallor fading remarkably before his knees gave out, and he was only saved from falling by one of the other healers who caught him at the last moment, Gerard thought his name was Dallon, but he wasn't certain.

"Is he okay?" Gerard gasped, his heart racing with fear for not only his friend, but Frank's best hope of survival, because if Billie Joe was out of commission, Frank didn't stand a chance, no one else was as skilled in healing as he was, and although Gerard knew that was a selfish mindset to hold, he couldn't help himself.

"He will be," Dallon grimaced, shifting Billie Joe's dead weight upward until he was positioned comfortably in his arms. "The healing process drains him, and he put everything he had into reviving Frank. He just needs some rest...we all do."

"Let's go then, the portal is still open, everyone else knows to begin heading home once the camp has been torn down and the evidence of this battle has been hidden away," Brendon gestured, slinging an arm around Ryan's waist in the process.

Gerard wanted to ask Ryan if he needed to seek medical attention before they left, because his arm was still bleeding heavily, but his tongue lay thick and swollen in his mouth, and honestly - he knew that Brendon wouldn't be so composed if Ryan's life was in danger, so his wound probably looked worse than it was, causing him to change his line of questioning instead.

"Have you seen my brother, is he okay?"

"Yes, he's watching over Ray while he gets his head bandaged, but he's unharmed, I promise." Brendon smiled over his shoulder at Gerard who was bringing up the rear of their small group. "They should both be back in Heaven not long after we are, we ordered all of the wounded to retreat as soon as possible. He knows you're alive too by the way, he wouldn't stop asking me about your condition every five minutes during the battle."

"Well that's one thing that went right," Gerard sighed, repositioning Frank so he wasn't rubbing against the burn on his arm as heavily, the fact that Mikey was safe alleviating some of the cloying pressure in his lungs that was threatening to suffocate Gerard if it continued for much longer.

"Shit," Brendon groaned heavily barely a minute into their trek, "speaking of events not going our way, it appears that Lucifer and a few of his demons are in front of the portal according to our scouts. He hasn't shown any signs of violence yet, but we need to be prepared."

"What is he doing there then?" Gerard sighed tiredly. He didn't have the energy for another confrontation with the King of Hell right now, he had barely had the guts to stand up to him during their last encounter, and if he truly had ill intentions in mind, Gerard wasn't sure if their ragtag group would be able to stop him.

"Fuck if I know, but we should be prepared for anything. If he does try and stop us from returning to Heaven, I'll distract him. You take Frank, Billie Joe, and Ryan through the portal at the first opportunity you get okay?"

Gerard nodded resolutely in agreement, too exhausted to argue with Brendon's faulty plan, his gaze scanning the small group of black winged beings that he could just barely make out at the end of the beach. The gathering didn't look hostile, their claws seemed to be sheathed at least, but Gerard had learned from experience that Lucifer could be crafty, so he braced himself for an attack as they made their way closer to the shimmering portal that would lead them back home.

Gerard kept his eyes peeled downward when they came within earshot of Lucifer, although he knew that the pointless gesture wouldn't help him escape the fallen angel's notice, but he was too weak to look Lucifer in the eye again. It had taken all of his courage to speak to him earlier today, and Gerard had nothing left inside of him now, the only reason he was still able to put one foot in front of the other was because Frank needed him to.

"You all appear to be a bit worn down, it seems the angels suffered many more casualties than I did," Lucifer sneered once they were directly in front of him, but he made no other threatening move just yet.

"That's what happens when you are on the front lines Lucifer," Brendon retorted back, dropping his arm from around Ryan so he could cross his limbs over his chest sternly. "Still, we appreciate you help," Brendon added on, only a faint tint of bitterness coloring his tone an ugly yellow shade as he spoke.

"Of course, I had to make sure the beast was dead with my own two eyes, and I do applaud you for the speedy disposal of it. I didn't think Frankie had it in him, although he looks a bit the worse for wear now," Lucifer chuckled, leaving Gerard seething when he heard his husband's name falling from his lips, but he kept his gaze trained away stubbornly, not wanting to give Lucifer the satisfaction of a negative reaction, watching Frank instead so he wouldn't be inspired to do something stupid in the meantime.

"He will be fine once we get him back to Heaven," Brendon replied stiffly, taking a few steps forward until the gap separating him from Lucifer spanned barely three feet. "Now if you would be so kind as to keep to your word and let us by so we can go our separate ways."

"Oh I will," Lucifer remarked casually, but he made no effort to remove himself from in front of the portal. "I just wanted to make sure that you know that this doesn't mean anything, and that you shouldn't expect help from Hell in the nearby future, this was a one-time occurrence."

"I won't hold my breath," Brendon scoffed, his bravery in the face of Lucifer impressing Gerard immensely since he was already shaking slightly and he hadn't even been addressed by the fallen angel. "Now please, let us pass."

"Of course," Lucifer grinned, gesturing to the portal behind him grandly before motioning to his troops to create a path. "Be my guest." Lucifer watched them as they began to make their way toward the entrance to Heaven, and when his gaze reached Gerard, he swore it burned through him, leaving his skin prickling even though he did his best to pretend that he wasn't at all affected by his past tormentor. "Oh - Gerard, I did want to ask you something."

"What?" Gerard gritted out, his eyes flickering in Lucifer's direction before he quickly glanced away.

"How does it feel being on the other side of things this time, I bet it stings feeling what Frank did after I killed you does it not?"

"He's not dead," Gerard snapped back, refusing to give Lucifer's words any credit even though the tumultuous storm of emotions raging inside of him were most likely similar to whatever Frank had experienced fifteen years ago, but there was no way in hell he was going to admit that aloud.

"Not yet no, but he will be soon. Even I can tell that those wounds are fatal, and if you could have healed him, you would have already done so by now," Lucifer hummed idly, his carefree nature both infuriating and terrifying Gerard all at the same time.

"Shut up - I don't want to listen to your lies," Gerard hissed, turning his head to the side so Lucifer wouldn't be able to see the tears clogging his vision.

"We will see who is placing faith in falsities soon, but I have a feeling you will be suffering through your own personal brand of hell within the next few days when little Frankie here passes away."

"Just ignore him Gerard," Ryan leaned back to whisper in Gerard's ear, placing his uninjured arm around his shoulder so his body became a barrier between him and Lucifer. "We are almost there, come on."

Gerard mumbled a quiet thank you to Ryan as he followed his advice, a soft sniffle breaking up his words as his cowered into Ryan's side, doing his best to pretend that Lucifer didn't exist as he continued to walk forward at a steady pace.

Lucifer's words weighed down heavily upon his shoulders as they finally passed into the awaiting portal without any other opposition, and although Gerard should have been happy that they were almost back in Heaven, he couldn't concentrate on anything else besides Lucifer's parting statement, the threatening sentence running through his mind on a constant loop no matter how hard he tried to banish it from his brain entirely.

This took me way too long to finish but it is finally here and I apologize for the delay.

We only have one more chapter left I believe plus an epilogue so stick around and those should be up soon.

I am on vacation now for the next couple of days but I have a few other prompts I am working on as well so I am not one hundred percent sure when I will have time to write for this story but I will do my best to knock it out in a timely fashion.

Votes and comments are lovely as always if you feel like leaving one.

Chapter dedicated to jedikilljoy

I'm a pain in women's clothes

xo starr