Time flew by too quickly for Frank to quantify. With Pete in a rehab program to help him heal from his need to self-harm as well as his alcohol addiction, he didn't have his best friend to break up his days, and with Gerard distancing himself for him, he felt like he was losing his boyfriend as well. He did his best to play the part of a carefree teenager. He spent time with Jamia and Simon and a few acquaintances from work in an effort to break up the monotony of the day, but all of it felt paltry in comparison to the happier times he missed sharing with Gerard and Pete.

Frank didn't begrudge either of them for what had happened; Pete needed this time to heal and find himself again, and Gerard needed to focus on Mikey and his teaching career, not Frank at the moment. They still spent some time together, but it was limited, and Frank could sense that Gerard was building up some of the walls that he had worked so hard to break down.

Gerard was scared, which was understandable, if also terrifying to see the man he looked to for so much afraid of their relationship. Apparently it had gotten out among the school and staff that Mikey had overdosed and was in rehab, which didn't go over well in a very Catholic environment. Gerard was on a short leash now that his family drama had been brought into the light. At times his class was even observed by other teachers or members of the school board. Frank's heart ached for Gerard, but he had no idea what he could do to help him. It wasn't fair that he was being judged for Mikey's actions, but as life proved so often, it was anything but fair.

Frank's own situation continued on as it always had. His mother had her ups and downs, the highs and lows growing so intense that Frank had been spending much of his free time researching how to get her hospitalized without her consent. Even thinking of this step felt like a betrayal, but he was at his wit's ends, and he knew he wouldn't be able to continue caring for her alone for much longer. In fact, he was seriously considering going to college after all despite his earlier misgivings. Thanks to Simon, he had put in some applications to a few schools, and much to his surprise, he had already received two acceptance letters, one of which even offered him financial aid.

Frank didn't know exactly what he wanted to do after high school, he had no huge dreams or aspirations, but he knew he didn't want to stay at the restaurant forever. He was seriously considering getting a teaching degree. He had never thought about being a teacher before he met Gerard, but even if he wasn't in love with the older man, he was certainly inspired by him. The way he spoke and explained music theory was captivating, and Frank would like to be able to help students connect with a subject the way Gerard does. It was once only a thought, but it was had now lodged itself in Frank's brain permanently.

He had mentioned the idea to Gerard one night over the phone when he had time to talk, and his boyfriend had been ecstatic for him. In fact, it was the happiest Frank had seen, or in this case, heard him in weeks. The only downside was the fact that the campus that had offered him financial aid was over an hour away, but a part of Frank didn't mind that so much. He would miss Gerard of course, and Pete, but he wanted to leave this city behind. It held too many bad memories for him, and maybe he could convince Pete to apply to that college too once he was allowed to contact him.

But all of that was in the future, and right now, Frank was doing his best to take things one day at a time so he wouldn't get overwhelmed. His finals were coming up, so he had the distraction of studying to keep his mind off of the bad things. That and work occupied his hours, leaving him so exhausted by the end of the night that he barely allowed himself to get upset when Gerard was unable to talk like he usually was of late.

Although Frank wouldn't label it as such, he was almost using his father as a replacement for Gerard. When he wanted to talk to his boyfriend and he wouldn't answer, he would call his dad. They had gotten much closer over the past few months, so much so that Frank was even considering taking him up on his offer to visit him. At first, he had been against the idea. He was glad that they were getting closer again, but he had no idea how he would react to seeing the man in person for the first time in three years.

Honestly, he was scared. What if they didn't click anymore, what if his father had changed, or worse, what if he didn't like the person that Frank had grown into? He knew those fears were silly, and his father wouldn't judge him the way his mother did, but it was still terrifying to open his heart back up to him again after everything they'd been through. But now with the way things were going, Frank was open to seeing him again. If he did go to college, it would be in New York anyway, and it would be a huge money saver if he could crash at his dad's place when necessary instead of having to pay for a dorm room or an apartment, but he wouldn't feel comfortable asking for that without at least spending a bit of time with his father first.

But most of all, the reason for Frank's hesitance was that he wanted Gerard to be with him when he was reunited with his father. His presence was so soothing, and Frank knew he would make the whole situation easier. Yet he didn't want to ask it of him right now, not with everything he had on his plate. Mikey had just recently recovered enough to be properly admitted into the rehabilitation program, and Frank knew Gerard had his hands full between his job and trying to visit his brother as often as possible.

But something was telling Frank to take the plunge and see if he could make this meet-up happen. He had missed out on so much because he was afraid. If he had only attempted to contact his father before, to try and find him despite his mother's wishes, he might not have suffered nearly as much as he had. He didn't want to miss out on any more time with his father, no matter how scary it was. So when his father invited him over that Saturday for a small cookout his husband was throwing, Frank said yes.

Trying his best not to get his hopes up, Frank texted Gerard and asked him if he was free on the weekend. He knew he had been spending most of his time not at school with Mikey, but it was worth a shot to see if he would be able to make it. Determined not to spend his day waiting on his boyfriend's reply, Frank managed to pick up an extra shift at work to make up for him taking the weekend off.

While on his lunch break, Frank allowed himself to check his phone, and he was shocked to see a response from Gerard already. Lately, he was lucky if his boyfriend got back to him within a few hours, if not the next day. Frank had been doing his best not to let the fact that he seemed so low on Gerard's priority list bother him, but he had to admit it stung. Today though, it seemed Gerard had made time to answer his text.

"I am on Saturday. Sunday is my visitation with Mikey but we can do something before then if you'd like. I'm sorry I've been neglecting you. Things are just...hard right now."

Frank sighed in both happiness and resignation as he read over the short message. He appreciated the belated apology, and he knew things were indeed hard right now, but still...at least Gerard was free on Saturday. Now Frank had to find out if he'd agree to go with him to New York for the day.

After explaining the situation with his father and the barbeque, Frank hit send and went back to work. Gerard was aware that he had been talking to his father more, but Frank hadn't mentioned his desire to visit him. He hoped Gerard would be open to the idea, but if he wasn't, Frank wasn't going to let him derail his newfound determination to see his father again for the first time in years.

But luck was on Frank's side today, because when his shift finished up and he was able to check his phone again, Gerard had replied.

"I'd be honored to go with you! And it'll be a lot faster if I drive you anyway. I can't wait to see you again."

Frank felt a smile tugging at his lips as he began the walk home, his steps lightened by the fact that he would be able to see his boyfriend in a few short days.

~~~

Ascending the steps to Gerard's apartment on Saturday morning felt like going back in time. It wasn't all that long ago since he had been here, but his mind took him back to the first time he had climbed these steps. Back then Frank had no idea what he was in for, when he had been burdened by Mikey's dead weight and his own failures and fears. He hadn't known that he was walking toward a person who would change his entire life for the better.

A part of Frank missed those earlier days before he knew Gerard was his teacher, back when their attraction for each other was all that mattered. Frank wouldn't change things though, he had gained so much in Gerard even through their ups and downs. He was more than just a lover now, he was his boyfriend, which is something that Frank had never had before, but now he wouldn't give it up for the world.

They had both helped each other become better people, at least, Frank thought so. He knew to an outsider, their relationship might appear toxic, or wrong, but to him, it was the best thing that had ever happened to him. Gerard had grounded him, he had shown him that he was worth so much more than his body and the pleasure he could give someone else, and he hoped that he had also helped Gerard understand his own self-worth as well.

As if simply thinking of Gerard had summoned him, the door creaked open just then, revealing Gerard in an oversized t-shirt. His hair haloed his head in messy waves, the ends of which were almost touching his shoulders now. His eyes looked weary but gorgeous as ever, the shades of emerald and amber mixing together in a colorful constellation that Frank could easily get lost in if he let himself.

Gerard stopped in his tracks when his eyes met Frank, the bag of trash he was holding falling from his grip as two of them gazed at each other like it was the last time they could. Frank wasn't sure if he breathed, he was too busy drinking in the sight of the man he loved. Something warm and potent unfurled in his stomach when a smile lit up Gerard's face. He had caused that expression, and that fact meant more to him than he could ever explain with words.

"Hey." Frank finally broke the silence when it became apparent that Gerard wasn't going to.

"Frank," Gerard whispered under his breath, his body jolting forward as he embraced Frank in a bone-crushing hug. "God, I've missed you."

"So have I," Frank exhaled against Gerard's chest, his eyes stinging with emotion as he let himself be held.

And at that moment, everything was perfect. Nothing could hurt him while he was with Gerard, not the past, not the future, nothing.

Okay so I know I've been gone for months again but this time I actually have a good excuse.

I've been super busy working on my next original novel Take His Place and it is officially available for pre-order right now on Amazon! The release date is June 18th (which is also my birthday). The story is based on my fanfic Intertwined Souls, and if you haven't read that, it's got strippers and dogs and fluff and some smut. I'm horrible at describing the plot but basically I'm really proud of it and if you like my writing at all I think you will enjoy it.

I'll leave the link to the pre-order in the comments if any of you want to purchase it. Only the ebook is available right now but in June I'll have the paperback version and a hardcover version available as well.

Btw this is the cover (and I am soooo in love with it).

But as always I do feel bad for neglecting this fic. I never stopped thinking about it or working on it. This chapter is setting up the last big plot point so we are getting into the home stretch finally.

Thank you to whoever has stuck around. Every comment and vote means the world to me.

I love you all so very much xxx

Chapter dedicated to Arro_Sohng

Just a few more months and we'll be fine

- starr