As the clock's red numbers flipped over to twelve am, I sighed heavily. I should be sleeping since I had school in the morning, but I had been struggling with insomnia on and off for quite some time now, and it seemed like I wasn't going to get any rest tonight.

Usually when this happened, I would drink myself senseless until I collapsed in a stupor, but I had really been striving to be better lately thanks to Frank. I realized that when I did terrible things to my own body, that I hurt him as well, and I never wanted to be the cause of his pain.

Thinking of Frank caused a small smile to form on my lips. Things had been going really well for us lately, I had never felt closer to anyone, and I hadn't realized how much one person could change my life. I was even starting to improve in school now that I had the motivation of seeing Frank to make me go to class.

The only downside lately was that Frank was starting to make friends beside for Mikey and I. It really shouldn't bother me as much as it did, but seeing Frank laugh and smile with someone else caused a pool of jealously to form in the pit of my stomach.

I really tried to be happy for him, I mean - just because I was an outcast, that didn't mean Frank had to be one...but it was really difficult for me since I was used to having Frank all to myself.

One girl in particular drove me crazy; her name was Jamia, and I swore she liked Frank as more than just a friend. It didn't matter that I knew Frank was gay and that he was with me, I still hated seeing her nasty whore hands anywhere near my boyfriend.

I hadn't told Frank any of this though, I didn't want him to think I was some super possessive psycho and leave me. Mikey kept telling me that I had nothing to worry about, and it was obvious that Frank only had eyes for me...but I was still harboring some major insecurities.

I was just so afraid that he would realize what a fucked up person I truly was, and that he would find someone better than me.

Speaking of Frank, I had been trying to get a hold of him; talking to him seemed to help me relax, but his phone was off, and I assumed he must have crashed out for the night.

So instead of lying in bed and wasting the time away until I finally managed to fall asleep, I dragged myself to my desk and pulled out a worn notebook. I might as well do something productive if I was going to be awake all night.

I had been given an assignment by my music teacher to write a song, and even though it wasn't due for a few more weeks, I decided to start on it. There wasn't much else to do in the dead of night anyway.

I began singing softly to myself; even though I would never perform in front of other people, I actually really enjoyed doing it. Lyrics filled my mind, and as I wrote them down, the music filled me, as if the song was just waiting for me to put words to it.

Looking back over my work, I smiled in satisfaction, hopefully my music teacher would like it as much as I did. Knowing myself though, I would probably read it over again in the morning and end up hating it, but for now, I basked in the feeling of producing something I was proud of.

Singing a little louder, I tested out how the words flowed with the music, but just when I found a perfect mixture of both, I was interrupted by the sound of something hitting my window.

Hesitantly - I pulled back my curtains to see what had made the noise, keeping the latch locked just in case it was a murderer, or something else equally as terrifying. It was too dark to see anything without turning on a light, and I was beginning to freak myself out.

Preparing my body to run in case a masked man with a blade tried to attack me - I had been watching way too many horror movies - I flicked on the flashlight app on my phone, illuminating the side of the house.

Now I could see what had made the noise; Frank stood in my yard with his arms wrapped around himself, shivering in the light drizzle that had been falling all night.

"Baby - what are you doing here?" I exclaimed.

"Can I come in? I'm sorry - I know it's late, but I don't know where else to go."

"Yeah - of course." I held an arm down to him and pulled him over my window sill into the warmth of my room. Frank's hand felt like ice against mine, and I wondered how long he had been out in the cold.

"Let me get you some dry clothes." I tossed him a pair of sweatpants and an old t-shirt that was too small for me now, which he donned gratefully.

"I'm sorry for busting in like this...I hope I didn't wake you up."

"You didn't, and even if you did - I'm glad you came to me. What happened? Where have you been?"

Mud splattered Frank's skinny jeans, and he was soaked to the bone. Now that he was inside, I noticed blood staining his hairline, and his eyes were glassy with exhaustion and fear. My heartbeat sped up as I took in his battered condition, and I had to remind myself to take deep breaths to keep calm.

"I don't know..." Frank began to shiver violently. Gathering him into my arms, I sat him down on the bed and stroked his hair soothingly.

"Shush it's okay - I've got you..." I whispered. Even though I didn't want to push Frank, I was desperate to know what had happened. Usually I was the emotional wreck in this relationship, while Frank was the one who picked me up; having the tables turned like this was frightening, and I didn't know what to do.

"Can you tell me what happened?"

Frank just buried his face in the crook of my neck and began to sob harshly. I hated seeing him like this; I wanted to find the source of his pain, and make sure that it never hurt him again, but I couldn't do that if I didn't know what was wrong with him in the first place.

"My...my stepdad..." Frank hiccupped when his tears finally ebbed.

"Did he hurt you?" I growled low in my throat.

"I just...I don't know why he hates me so much. He came home from the bar, and he was really drunk. He got fired from his job recently, and he has been spending all of his free time there lately. I only went downstairs to get a drink of water, and he started screaming at me for being up. He just went crazy...I tried to text my mom, and he threw my phone against the wall and broke it. I didn't know what to do, so I left...he tossed a beer bottle at me on the way out, and it hit me in the head. I didn't stop though - I just kept running..." Frank ended on a wail, and I clutched his frail form as tightly as I could.

"That fucker..." I hissed.

"I'm so sorry I bothered you Gee, I just didn't know what to do...I can't go home right now."

"Don't you dare apologize. I want you to come to me. I will always be here when you need me, and please never forget that. I lo-" Pulling myself up short before I uttered those three terrifying words, I tried to play it off as nothing, but Frank noticed.

"What did you say?" he asked timidly. I debated whether I should lie or not, but it was too late to hide my feelings now, and maybe hearing it would be just what Frank needed in this moment.

"I said I love you..." I mumbled as quietly as I could. Frank stared at me in awe before pressing his cold lips against mine.

Melting into his kiss, I felt like a massive pressure had been removed from my heart. Frank hadn't spurned me or turned away, and even though we hadn't been together for very long, I truly believed that my feelings for him were never going to change.

"I love you too." Frank smiled after we had pulled apart. He nuzzled my nose playful, and it was the cutest fucking thing in the whole wide world.

"I don't know what I would do without you Gerard," he sighed as I laid down with him on top of my chest.

"Well you won't have to find out," I repeated the words that Frank had uttered to me when I had been at my lowest not too long ago, I meant them with all my heart too.

As Frank's breathing became more even, and he drifted off in my bed, I felt a strong wave of emotion overtake me. Frank really needed me...and that was something I hadn't experienced before.

I had never had someone actually depend on me, or turn to me with their problems, usually it was the other way around. Even with Mikey, I never felt like he truly relied on me, he was so self-sufficient that people mistook him for the older brother more often than not.

For the first time in my life, I felt like I had someone I was compelled to fight for...someone who required me to protect them. It gave me a sense of strength and purpose that I had so desperately been searching for.

I would give my life for Frank's, I knew that without question. Now I just had to figure out a way to save him from his own family...

Frank began to stir restlessly in his sleep, and I clutched him closer as he emitted a soft cry. If I had to guess - I would say he was having a nightmare...

I debated on waking him to end the horror of his dreams, but he needed sleep, and I was worried he wouldn't be able to close his eyes after I woke him up.

Without thinking about it, I began to sing the song I had composed only minutes before.

Late dawns and early sunsets, just like my favorite scenes

Then holding hands and life was perfect, just like up on the screen

And the whole time while always giving

Counting your face among the living

Elevators and half price sales, trapped in by all these mountains

Running away and hiding with you

I never thought they'd get me here

Not knowing you'd change from just one bite

I fought them all off just to hold you close and tight

But does anyone notice?

But does anyone care?

And if I had the guts to put this to your head...

But would anything matter if you're already dead?

And well should I be shocked now by the last thing you said?

Before I pull this trigger,

Your eyes vacant and stained...

Frank's uneasy tossing ceased, and he snuggled even closer to me with a sigh. I wasn't sure if he had heard me or not, but I was ecstatic that he was sleeping so contently in my arms.

Pressing a light kiss to his forehead, I felt my love for him swelling to an unimaginable level. Getting as comfortable as possible without disturbing Frank, I closed my own eyes, and finally slipped into unconsciousness with the boy I adored by my side.

I finally got a few days off of work so I was able to update this story :) I really like this chapter and I hope you guys did too!

This chapter is dedicated to iiJenzilla because she is amazing and pretty much made my day with her comments and messages. Love you girl <3

I don't know what else to say in this authors note lol...its 5am and I just got back from walking the beach with my little brother (which is actually quiet creepy in the dark). We were pretty convinced we were going to get kidnapped or raped or something else equally as scary haha. But omg the stars looked amazing! We had a whole "I am so small in this large universe" moment together.

Thanks for reading loves.

<3 star