FicWad

“Hello?” Frank sighed and snuggled closer to Gerard, resting on his naked chest as he held his phone to his ear. He had been planning to ignore it at first but something told him to answer it, he just felt a strange sort of tugging in his chest that got worse the longer he let it ring. He had checked the caller ID but the unknown number was too much for his curiosity to withstand and he had answered it despite Gerard’s unimpressed face.

“Hello, is this Frank Iero?” The voice was female, calm and cool and generic. Frank glanced at Gerard who could easily hear with his vampire senses, he shrugged to show he too was lost as to who it could be and Frank bit on his lip ring.

“Erm, yes... who’s calling please?” He asked politely, the woman replying almost instantly. It was a question she had answered a million times before it seemed.

“This is Sergeant Vaux from Salem police station, I’m afraid I have to ask you to please come to the station as soon as you can.” The tone of voice didn’t change from the same calm, collected tone as before but Frank’s stomach lurched anyway. He turned frightened eyes on Gerard, silently questioning him as to whether he had any clue what this could be about but the vampire looked clueless.

“I... see. Have I done something wrong?” Frank squeaked into the phone, clearing his throat to try and get his usual pitch back as Sergeant Vaux calmly told him he had nothing to worry about, though her voice faltered slightly and she seemed to hesitate before speaking again.

“I’m afraid Mr Iero that I have some news for you, but it’s really best if I tell you in person.” She explained softly, Frank’s teeth tugging at his lip ring as he nodded vaguely. News? What kind of news? The police could only ever mean bad news right?

Frank felt sick as he quietly replied that he would come down right away and hung up the phone. His stomach swirled and churned with nerves as he wracked his brain for any reason he’d be getting a call from the Salem police at ten in the morning. He looked to Gerard and tried not to tremble as he forced a confused smile.

“Well err... I guess we should get to the station then.” He mumbled, Gerard nodding and slowly untangling their limbs. Frank slid off the table and began grabbing at his clothes, using water from the kitchen sink and his own hands to quickly wash himself off. He would shower later.

He tried to think of what the news could be but the only thing he could come up with was that they had somehow found out about his father’s violent outburst the previous day... but Frank didn’t see how they would know that. Besides, he was just turned twenty, hardly a child that needed police intervention when his dad decided to hit him. He could easily move out whenever he wanted... maybe they just wanted to ask him about it or something.

Gerard got changed with Frank in silence, easily masking his features into a look of anguished confusion. He had centuries of experience under his belt and acting was like second nature to him, Frank could look deep into his eyes and see nothing but the same confusion and fear mirrored in his own iris’. He didn’t know how the police had found out though he had of course been expecting it, it was much sooner than he had anticipated but it was no worry to him. No one would ever know that it was he who had killed Frank Sr. Not even Frank would ever know.

“Come on sugar.” He whispered softly once he and Frank were both dressed. He offered the younger man his hand and Frank took it gratefully, lacing their fingers and cuddling into Gerard’s side as they left the manor.

Frank was grateful for Gerard’s support, needing his comfort more than ever as they followed the forest trail away from the manor to the town. It was a path Frank had walked almost every day since meeting Gerard but he had never walked it with this feeling of dread in his stomach before. He was terrified that he had somehow done something that would merit him getting locked up or sent away... that today could be the last day he saw Gerard in a very long time. There was no reason for him to think like that, and he knew deep down it was just his fear running away from him, but it didn’t stop his heart from tripping over itself in horror. He couldn’t be away from Gerard, he loved him... he needed him. He would die without him.

“Gee –”

“Shh, I’m here.” Gerard cooed softly as they came to the end of the trail and stepped out of the trees and the town came into view. It was like Gerard knew exactly what Frank was thinking as he slowly wrapped his arm tighter around the human and kissed his cheek, promising he wouldn’t leave him, no matter what happened next.

>X<

The station was not a long walk from the woods... nothing was really. Thanks to Salem being such a small town Frank and Gerard were outside the police headquarters much faster than Frank would have liked. His stomach gave an almighty pulse as he looked at the blue lanterns on either side of the double doors and his mind became erratic in its thinking of what could be waiting for them inside. His grip on Gerard’s hand tightened and his mouth grew dry, Gerard having to practically drag him forward.

Inside the station the reception area was empty except for one person... one person Frank did not expect to see.

“Christine!?” He gasped, Christine looking up and racing to him once she saw who it was. Frank gasped as her arms flung around him and she squeezed him tight, her lips pursed into a tight, straight line and her eyes filled with pity.

“Oh Frankie... It’s all gonna be okay honey, you’re gonna come stay with me okay?” She whispered softly and Frank frowned, pulling out of her grip in confusion.

“What?” He frowned as he looked at Bob’s mother, his mind coming up blank with reasons as to why she would feel the need to say something like that to him. “I... Why would I be coming to stay with y –”

“Iero?” Frank turned at the call of his surname and saw a tall woman stood in the doorway at the back of the room, holding the door open with one hand whilst the other held a clipboard. Her blonde hair was twisted into a neat bun at the back of her head and her slim figure was coated in the typical uniform of the police. Her arms were strong Frank noticed, more like a man’s than a woman’s though she was very beautiful and Frank mentally beat himself up for thinking like that. Whenever he was nervous he always thought stupid stuff and at that moment he was sure he had never felt more nervous in his life.

“Erm... yes?”

“Sergeant Vaux.” The woman announced, striding towards him and offering him her hand. Frank gingerly reached out and shook it, Gerard silent beside him though the feeling of his arm against his was a comfort to the human. “I think we should speak in private. Mrs. Bryar here will wait out here for you.” She said softly but firmly, Frank glancing at Christine’s sad face for a second before he looked back at Vaux.

“Erm, okay... but why is Mrs. Bryar here?” He asked blankly, forgetting to call Christine by her first name in his panic and he grabbed at Gerard’s hand when Vaux only shook her head and motioned for him to follow her. “Can I bring Gerard?” Frank blurted out, blushing when Vaux glanced at him over her shoulder, her eyebrow raised.

“I... He’s my boyfriend.” Frank quickly clarified, motioning vaguely at the taller man and Gerard waved a hand up, his face pulled into a look of fear and concern and Vaux looked him up and down, sighing.

“He’ll wait for you here too.” She said simply, her tone allowing no argument and Frank whimpered. He was prepared to argue with her over it but Gerard gently nudged him forward, offering a comforting smile.

“Go. I’ll wait here.” He said softly, Frank wanting to cry and fall on the floor, to cling to his leg and beg him not to make him go alone, but the vampires smile was small but genuine and Frank forced himself to remember he was a big boy now. This was no time for childish tantrums.

Everything felt too tense and serious as Frank followed Sergeant Vaux through the door she had come through and down a long corridor lined with generic white doors. His heart was beating so fast in his chest he wouldn’t have been surprised if Gerard could still hear it even out in the reception area. He felt so sick at that moment he wasn’t sure how much longer he could take the silence before he would just scream at Vaux to tell him what was going on. This seemed much more serious than a simple argument with his father.

Sergeant Vaux was reading over whatever was on the clipboard, walking briskly down the laminate floor until she reached a room right at the end of the corridor. She stopped outside it and continued reading for a moment before she looked up again and held the door open, nodding her head to the side to motion to Frank to go inside.

“In here please.” She said flatly, Frank biting at his lip ring as he scuttled into the room and sat down on a chair on one side of a plain metal table.

The room was small but there was a large window in one of the walls, allowing sunlight to flood over the table and floor. The room was so non-descript it seemed like a whole other dimension compared to the view of the busy road outside. Frank turned to gaze at the cars going down the road, pedestrians crossing from pavement to pavement, or wandering into the little cafe or grocers. Frank could name almost all of the people visible... typical for such a small town. He recognised Vaux too from seeing police on patrols, but he had never officially met her.

Vaux closed the door gently and sat down in the chair opposite Frank’s, putting the clipboard down and clasping her hands on top of the table, gazing at the young man before her with a calm gaze. For a second Frank thought he saw a hint of pity in her blue iris’, a more diluted look of that he had received from Christine, but it was gone so quickly he couldn’t be sure he had seen it at all. He couldn’t think of any reason why people would pity him.

“How did you get those?” Vaux asked gently, nodding at Frank’s cheek and for a long moment he was confused before he realised with a jolt that his face was still cut and scabbed from the fight with his father. Suddenly the pity made sense and he blushed, subconsciously brushing his fingers over the wounds and wishing briefly that he had let Gerard heal them after all.

“Oh, these? Erm... they err... they’re nothing important.” He shrugged, trying to look genuine. The last thing he wanted to do was drop his dad in it if this turned out to be nothing to do with him. Frank was certain he had a guilty look on his face though he did his best to look neutral. Vaux stared at him for a long moment before nodding and sighing, her calm expression fading a little into a real look of pity and Frank frowned. What, was he a charity case all of a sudden? “Erm... can you tell me what’s going on now?” He asked quietly, Vaux sighing and bowing her head for a second before looking back at him again.

“Frank, there is never an easy way to say this to someone.” She said delicately and Frank felt his blood starting to run cold. “This morning at roughly nine thirty your neighbour Mrs De’varro called us to report what she thought was a break in at your home. She said she could see the door was open and there was glass on the doorstep.” Vaux explained as gently as she could, Frank’s eyes growing wide. He was sure she could spare him the details and just get down to it here. It sounded to him like she was trying to tell him there hadn’t been a break in at his home at all though she was describing one.

“And...?” He asked, trying not to look so terrified and stop his mind from jumping to awful conclusions.

Vaux sighed and resisted the urge to lean forward and take Frank’s hand. She recognised the young man from seeing him around the area and she hated having to break news like this. But it was part and parcel of her job and she had learnt how to be professional about these kinds of things. “Frank...” She said gently, bracing herself for whatever his reaction might be. “I’m so very sorry to tell you that your father was found dead in your living room this morning.”

For a long moment Frank was sure he had heard her wrong, his head slowly starting to spin. Dead? His... His dad was... dead?

“W – What do you mean?” He croaked, tears welling up in his eyes before the words could even sink in. His dad couldn’t be dead, he had been just fine the night before when he had been punching him. He had been drunk sure but he had been much worse than that before and it hadn’t killed him. “I... I don’t... I don’t understand...” Frank whimpered, his eyes wide as tears spilled down his cheeks. “How can he be dead?”

“It looks as if it was some kind of animal attack.” Sergeant Vaux said as gently as she could, hating to tell him this but she had to. She couldn’t stop herself from taking his hand this time thought and she squeezed his fingers gently as he covered his mouth with his hand, trembling violently as he began to sob in earnest.

“Animal...” He choked, unable to get his words out and Vaux nodded.

“We think possibly a wolf, but we can’t be sure until the forensic team have finished examining the scene. From what we’ve gathered so far a wolf or a bear or something similar got into your house this morning and attacked your father. He was... well... you don’t need to know the details.” Vaux blushed a little and tried to comfort the man as he sobbed into his hand and curled his knees up onto the chair.

Frank couldn’t have agreed more with her in that moment, if he was sure of one thing it was that he definitely did not want to hear about what the police had found when they had gone into his house that morning. He had never seen an animal attack before but he could imagine it would be something truly bloody and violent... he probably wouldn’t even be able to recognise his father anymore... well... his corpse.

Frank began to cry harder and pulled his hand out of Sergeant Vaux’s grip, curling into a tight ball as he felt his whole world just crumbling around him. It couldn’t be true... it just couldn’t be. That was his father... his fucking dad she was telling him was dead. He couldn’t lose Frank Sr. he was his only family he had left. He hadn’t seen his mum ever since they had divorced and he didn’t want to see her now. His dad becoming an alcoholic had isolated the two of them from all of Frank’s relatives, and none of them lived in the town anyway. With his dad gone he was truly alone. In that moment all the arguments and the fights meant nothing, the man had been his father, he had raised him and taken care of him. So he hadn’t done a spectacular job at it but he had still done it, he had still been there for the most part. They hadn’t got along all of the time and they had fought like cat and mouse, but just like Tom loved Jerry, deep down Frank had loved his father as any son would. Deep down he was just a little child who needed his daddy by his side.

“Would you like me to get Mrs Bryar? Your boyfriend?” Sergeant Vaux asked gently as she watched Frank crying, the young man beyond himself in the shock and crippling grief that comes with the first news of bereavement.

“G – Gerard... get Gerard.” He sobbed, hiding his face in his arms as Vaux nodded and assured him she’d be back soon.

Frank didn’t hear her leave the room and close the door, too consumed by his pain to notice anything around him. He felt sick that that very morning he had been fucking Gerard on a kitchen table whilst his father lay dead in whatever god damn mess the animal had left. He wanted to kill himself for ever telling Gerard that he hated Frank Sr. after the argument. He wished he could take it all back now, wished he had been there to stop whatever beast had entered their home whilst his dad lay in an alcohol induced unconsciousness no doubt. He had fucked up completely and now his dad was dead because of him.

It felt like forever until the door opened again, Frank just tearing himself up inside on his own. By the time Gerard was at his side he was sure he would never be able to feel normal again. That the swirling black hole in the pit of his stomach would only get bigger as days went by.

“Frankie? Oh Frankie, my sweet boy, shh... come here my love.” Gerard cooed, wrapping his arms tight around the human and lifting him so he could sit on the chair and place Frank in his lap. Vaux regarded the two men for a moment before telling them she’d give them a moment and she left the room again, Frank burying his face into Gerard’s neck and sobbing against the creamy skin. His arms raised shakily to wrap around Gerard’s neck, his fingertips tangling into the soft black locks he loved to touch and he tugged gently, Gerard holding him so tightly he could hardly breathe but it made him feel just a tiny bit better; like the vampire was trying to hold him together so that he didn’t have to.

“G – Gee... he’s g - gone Gee...” Frank cried, clinging to the only man he had left in that moment. Gerard’s arms were strong and protecting and he clung all the more tighter to him for it, seeking the comfort only Gerard could offer.

“I know... I know Frankie.” Gerard whispered gently, tenderly rocking the younger man as he held him. Sergeant Vaux had told him what had happened as she brought him to Frank but of course Gerard knew more about Frank Sr.’s death than anyone else. He could understand why Frank was upset to an extent, anyone would be when their parents die. But he hadn’t expected Frank to be this upset, especially so soon after being hurt by the dead man. He didn’t question it though, for now he just had to comfort the human and he had to admit, seeing him so upset made his unbeating heart ache. Though he didn’t regret a thing.

For what felt like hours but in reality was only minutes Frank cried into Gerard’s neck and shoulder, getting his hair and shirt wet in the process but the vampire didn’t seem to mind. He whispered soothing words to him that Frank couldn’t hear, they were only gentle noises that told him Gerard was there... He knew the only thing that would really get through to him at that moment was if the vampire would finally utter those three important words... But Gerard didn’t tell Frank he loved him. He didn’t even get close.

>X<

When Sergeant Vaux eventually returned she informed Frank that he would have to leave with ‘Mrs Bryar’ and that if any new enlightenments were made over the investigation to the attack then the police would contact him. In the mean time she told them not to go into the woods as they assumed that must be where the animal had come from, and that a hunting team had been set up to explore the trees for any sign of ‘the creature’. It was clear that the team put together weren’t happy about it and Frank knew it was because everyone was so afraid of the woods already, no one would want to go in there now there was ‘proof’ that something awful lived there.

Frank had barely been listening to Vaux, still too caught up in his grief to care about what happened next. What did it matter if they found the animal that had done this? His dad was gone now, no amount of hunting in the woods would bring him back.

When Frank had been told he would be staying at Christine’s until he found another place to live he had considered arguing, wanting to stay with Gerard but one look at Christine’s worried face had made him think twice. Besides, he and Gerard couldn’t be seen going into the woods. It was too ‘dangerous.’ And once Christine had Gerard confirm that he did, as Bob had told her, live in a house in the woods she had insisted he come stay at hers too, saying she would never sleep ‘‘for worrying about you.’’ Frank had been so grateful to hear that Gerard hadn’t argued either. It was troublesome, he just wanted to stay at home, but clearly Frank needed him and he didn’t want to let the human down at a time like this.

So it came to be that Frank and Gerard sat in the back of Christine’s car as she drove them both to her house only a ten minute ride from the station. She kept glancing at Frank in the rear view mirror, her eyebrows knitted together in pity for him though she tried to hide it. But she just felt so sick, so sorry for him. She couldn’t imagine how he must feel, especially with this all happening so soon after almost losing Bob.

“I’m really sorry about your father Frankie... You can talk to me whenever you want, I just want you to know that.” She said kindly as she drove, Frank ‘mmm’ing vaguely to let her know he had heard. He was curled up against Gerard’s chest, wishing for the first time that there was a heart beat for him to feel, his palm aching to feel the soothing thud, the lack of the beat only reminding him of his father’s heart beat... or lack thereof. His dad was dead... and technically, so was his boyfriend. He was just surrounded by death and decay and he couldn’t stand it.

When they arrived at the Bryar household Christine took them into the house and promised them she’d find them out some clothes to sleep in, letting them know they should just make themselves completely at home and that if they wanted food or showers or anything at all they needn’t ask, just take. Gerard had thanked her with a breathtaking smile but Frank only nodded, his chest still heaving with dry sobs though he was silent by now, his tears having run dry.

“Bob’s upstairs by the way Frankie... he was let home this morning.” Christine said softly, offering a weak smile as Frank looked at her, kicking his shoes off.

“Really?” He breathed, trying to smile and be happy about it. Of course he was pleased that Bob was out of hospital, the fact his friend was better was a huge relief but it did nothing to blunt the pain of his father’s death. “That’s great Christine...” He sighed, Gerard softly squeezing his shoulder beside him.

Christine nodded and smiled sadly, biting her lip. “He wanted to come with me to the station but the doctors told him he needs to keep resting. I’m sure he’d like to see you though...” She said gently but pointedly and Frank nodded, looking at Gerard and kissing his cheek.

“I’ll go see him.” He smiled, trying to be strong, knowing that was what everyone wanted. Christine nodded happily and Gerard hugged him close for a second before offering to help Christine make everyone a coffee. Gerard didn’t immensely want to see the blonde at that minute, and he knew that Frank probably needed a genuinely sympathetic person to be around without Gerard interrupting. He was good at faking it but whilst he was so delighted inside for killing Frank’s father he couldn’t be exactly what Frank needed.

Frank sighed and watched Gerard walking into the kitchen with Christine, the two making quiet small talk and Frank knew they were waiting for him to get out of earshot. Probably so they could comment on how bad they felt for him and all the things they should start doing to help him through his terrible time. Frank was half grateful and half irritated by the thought, though he forced himself not to think on it as he walked up the stairs to see Bob.

>X<

When Frank came into Bob’s bedroom the blonde had been sat up in bed watching some TV, clearly restless and agitated. As soon as he saw Frank he gasped and held his arms out for him, Frank not hesitating before he ran to him and buried his face into his shirt, sobbing harshly against the fabric. Turned out despite his best efforts to be strong Frank just felt more broken than ever and Bob’s warm hold, his reassuring heartbeat was something invaluable to Frank in that moment.

For what felt like hours Frank just cried into Bob’s shirt, letting his friend stroke his hair and whisper soothing, meaningless words. Nothing he could say could change what had happened or make Frank feel better but somehow it did make things easier. Frank was so grateful to have him in that moment that the thought of coming so close to losing him because of his own selfishness was almost too much to bear.

Bob was shocked by how upset Frank was, he knew that Frank Sr. was his dad and everything but he and Frank had never got along. Bob supposed it just went to show how blood really was thicker than water. He was pleased that Frank clearly needed him though and he did his best to comfort him for a while, Christine calling them to let them know coffee was waiting for them when they wanted it but neither man made an effort to move.

“God... M’sorry for crying all over you Bob.” Frank giggled softly after a while, sitting up in Bob’s arms and trying to wipe his tears away. Bob chuckled and shook his head, helping him wipe at the tears.

“Don’t worry ‘bout it. I just wish I knew how to help.” He admitted with a soft sigh, Frank shaking his head and hugging his friend close for a moment.

“You have helped. Thanks so much Bobbert.” He smiled genuinely at the blonde for a moment and Bob grinned back, but then Frank’s face fell as if smiling was just too much effort and he bowed his head. “I just wish I’d been there... wish I’d have tried to stop it somehow. I shouldn’t have slept at Gerard’s.” He whimpered, revealing just a small part of the immense guilt he was feeling.

Bob frowned at Frank’s strange words and tipped his head to the side, trying to work out if he had got the wrong end of the stick somehow, but he was sure Frank had just said to him that he had been at Gerard’s all night. “But... weren’t you at home this morning?” He asked curiously, Frank looking at him with a bemused look and he shook his head.

“No. I was at Gee’s.” He said softly, quirking an eyebrow and sniffling when Bob stared at him in surprise. “What?”

“But I saw Gerard at your house this morning.” Bob said strongly, his heart beginning to race as he thought back to when he had passed Frank’s house on the way back from the hospital that morning. Someone had definitely been coming out of the house and he was certain it was Gerard. No one else in the town was that pale or had that style of hair, nor did anyone else just emit the seductive charm that Gerard did even at a distance (not that Bob ever wanted to admit that). “I saw him!”

“What?” Frank sighed, frowning and shaking his head. Too much had gone on in that day already and he didn’t have the patience to be getting confused. “You couldn’t have Bob, he was with me.” He said simply, rubbing at his forehead as his head ached.

“No but I did!” Bob insisted, sitting up straighter and turning pleading eyes on Frank. “I know I did! We drove right by your house this morning when I was let out of hospital, it was like half eight – nineish.” He knew he was right, he definitely hadn’t imagined it and he could tell that Frank could see he was being genuine.

“Half eight – nine?” Frank repeated, shaking his head slowly as he thought back to what they had been doing at that point. “You couldn’t have Bob, we were asleep.” He sighed, rubbing slowly at his temples but Bob continued to shake his head.

“Maybe you were...” He whispered softly, his eyes wide and though he was looking at Frank it was clear he wasn’t looking at him. His eyes were glazed over and it was like he was looking through him, deep in thought. What was it that old man at the hospital had said? That Gerard was bad news? That if Bob didn’t get him away from Frank soon then he would hurt him?

It had definitely been Gerard who had been coming out of the house that morning. Bob knew it was.

Frank quirked an eyebrow curiously at Bob, not really sure why his heart began to beat faster and trip over itself in its frantic rhythm. “What do you mean by that?” He breathed softly, his tired mind finding it hard to chew over what Bob was clearly suggesting. Obviously he was mistaken... Why would Gerard be there that morning?

“He was definitely there this morning Frankie. Either that animal attacked after he left or...” Bob trailed off, blushing deeply. He didn’t want to accuse Gerard of anything, it seemed too absurd anyway. How could anyone attack another person and make it look like an animal attack? And what would his motive be anyway?

But then Bob thought of Mr Brown and his insistence that Gerard was a vampire. He thought of all the horror movies he had seen with vampires in, how it would be easy for a member of the undead to cause the destruction found in Frank’s home that morning. Of course he knew it was ridiculous, there was no such thing as vampires... But if there was... it would make sense...

“Or what? Are you trying to tell me Gerard attacked him?” Frank asked softly, too tired to be angry. He couldn’t believe he was hearing this from Bob though he... he couldn’t help but wonder why Bob would think he had seen Gerard leaving the house. Was he lying? Had it been someone else? Who would be in his house so early in the morning? It couldn’t have been his father, Frank Sr. looked nothing like Gerard.

“It... it couldn’t have been Gerard...” Frank whispered, his eyes growing wide as he thought about it. It just... it just couldn’t be.

“What couldn’t be Gerard?”

Both men jumped when they heard Gerard’s cool voice from the doorway and Frank turned to look at him, his eyes growing wide and his teeth clamping on his lip ring. Gerard’s face was a mask of no emotion, but in his eyes he could just make out anger swirling like a black mist through his hazel irises.

R&R