Chapter Text
Frank liked to believe he was a pacifist. He didn't like violence, at least. Everyone who knew Frank would beg to differ. He was a hot headed kid, always getting into trouble for believing in things 'too much.' Frank would rebuff that by saying 'no one ever changed the world by sitting back and not doing anything.' So, maybe punching people who yelled slurs at him didn't change the world, but at least Frank tried to justify his actions. Sometimes that justification was simply 'they said I wasn't a boy, I just had to prove them wrong.' In this case in particular, Frank didn't think he had to justify anything, he was just doing what he thought was right.
It was Frank's first day of eleventh grade, and his first day at Bellview high school. He'd changed schools due to his aforementioned 'pacificity' and a fight that ended with him in the hospital, which is a story for another time, thank you very much. He'd walked into the ugly brick school building with the same knot he always had in his stomach when he went to school, fear that he'd be harassed as usual or his name and pronouns would be completely disregarded. But, Frank had made it through his first classes quite well, not seeing anyone who stood out as too much of an asshole. Perhaps changing schools wasn't such a bad idea! He hadn't even had to talk to anyone.
Everything was going well until lunch. Frank had wandered outside to sit in the shade behind the school and drink a soda or play a game on his phone when he saw one of the most beautiful people he'd ever seen. They had black hair that was pinned back on one side, the rest falling in messy clumps at neck level. They had a soft face and bright eyes, lined with a little eyeliner, Frank noticed as he walked a little closer to them. They were leaning up against the wall he'd been planning on hanging out by, talking to a younger boy, perhaps a ninth grader? Frank didn't pay close attention to him, because damn were they pretty. Frank hadn't noticed he'd stopped walking until they turned to look at him with a confused expression, saying something to the younger boy.
"Hey!" They called to him. "New kid!"
Frank stiffened and walked over to them, nodding awkwardly. "Hi," he said in a quiet voice. He'd been content not speaking, it meant no one would hear his voice.
The person was only a few inches taller than Frank, but they held their ground in a mildly intimidating way.
"I saw you staring," they said. "What were you thinking? Gonna call me some slur?" They spat with venom in their voice.
"Gee," the boy said. "Calm down."
"I wasn't! I was thinking your eyeliner was really good," he sputtered.
The person-- Gee, had the boy said?-- looked at Frank in utter disbelief. "Oh I- I'm sorry I shouldn't have snapped it's just--"
"Hey, tranny!" Frank whirled around to see who had shouted. He spotted a group of guys, mean looking kids, standing on the edge of the soccer field opposite the wall.
Gee grimaced. "That's why I assumed you were staring," they muttered as one of the guys walked over.
"Hey, Gerard, see you've got a new boyfriend here?" He said, motioning to Frank. "Didn't think twopeople would like she-males like you."
Frank felt the anger rise in his throat like bile. What right did this asshole have to harass Gee? What made him think it was okay to throw around slurs like that? He balled his fists and gritted his teeth, biting back his shouts at the kid.
Gee sighed. "I told you, Devin, Mikey's my little brother and I am not a 'she-male'," they said, their voice tired, as if they'd said this a thousand times.
"Whatever, tranny," Devin spat. "I'll have my way with you fags before the day's over."
Frank scowled. "Why not go now, asshole?" He shouted. "What makes you think you can use slurs like that towards people? What makes you think any of this is okay?"
Devin turned towards Frank, towering over the much smaller boy. "Who're you?"
"I'm Frank."
"Ain't that a boy's name?"
And that was it. Frank swung his fist, his knuckles meeting Devin's cheek hard and with purpose. Devin stumbled backwards, pressing a hand to his cheek.
"What the fuck?" He growled. "Who knew a butch like you could punch."
"I'm a boy!" Frank spat, throwing another punch.
It felt good, the blood running hot in his veins. Hopefully this Devin kid wouldn't bother him again; most people he punched didn't. He grinned proudly, but his self proclaimed victory was premature. The last thing he saw was a fist flying towards his face and then he was on the ground, staring up at the clear September sky.
"Oh my god," Gee said, kneeling down next to Frank and helping him sit up. "That asshole. Why'd you punch him, you idiot! You're lucky if you're not expelled by the end of the day!"
Frank blinked groggily, holding his head. "He punches really hard," Frank said in a small voice.
"Let's get him to the nurse," Gee's brother said, grabbing Frank's arm and helping him up.
"I don't need to go to the nurse," Frank protested. "I'm okay!"
Gee glared at him. "You just got knocked out, we are taking you to the nurse."
Frank sighed and they started walking back towards the entrance to the school. "You don't even know me, you don't have to do this."
Gee laughed, light and airy. A beautiful laugh to match a beautiful face, Frank thought. "You punched a homophobe the first time you met him. You may as well be my best friend."
Gee's brother nodded. "You haven't met Gerard if you don't think they'll proclaim anyone their best friend on first sight."
Gee laughed again. "Shut up, Mikey. I do not call people my best friend at first sight."
"What about Ray? You told me I had to befriend him so that you could pet his hair."
"I didn't say he was my best friend!"
"You said you wanted to use his head as a stuffed animal."
"I was freaky in eight grade!"
Frank found himself laughing hard at the sibling's conversation, the laughter only worsening the pounding in his head, but still enjoying himself. He felt safe, even though he was just punched unconscious. They entered the school building and Gee led the way to the nurses office.
"So, anyways," Gee said. "I'm Gerard Way, or Gee, call me what ever you want but use singular they pronouns. That's a must. And Mikey's my kid brother."
"I'm only two years younger than you!"
"My baby brother. And you are...?" Gerard asked, cocking their head to the side like a dog.
"I'm Frank Iero. Nice to meet you."
Gerard nodded. "I like him," they said to Mikey. "Let's keep him."
"Gee! Don't be so freaky! You just met him!" Mikey exclaimed, pushing his glasses up from where they were falling off the bridge of his nose. He wore them in an odd fashion, with long chunks of hair underthem and the glasses themselves never stayed up. If Frank hadn't ever talked to him, he'd probably only think one thing of the kid: nerd. But having talked to him, Frank decided he was a cool nerd, or at least a nice one.
Gerard pushed open a door at the end of the hallway and led Frank into the nurses office. The room was all white, lit brightly by sunlight and awful florescent lights. It smelled of antiseptic and mint. An elderly woman with a sharp nose and beady eyes looked up from behind an ancient computer at the trio who just entered.
"Oh, Gerard! You brought a new friend."
Gerard nodded with a smile. "Hi Mrs. Hunt. This is Frank. He got knocked out cause he punched Devin for being an idiot."
"Devin? And he's still in school?"
Gee raied their eyebrows. "I know! I keep expecting the principal to show up and cart him off to some other school!"
Mrs. Hunt nodded sharply. "This school and it's family ties. Always gets on my nerves. Alright then, Frank, let's have a look at you." The nurse got up from her and sat Frank down on a tall stool. "Follow my finger, good, good. Alright, is your vision impaired in any way? Are you seeing spots?"
Frank shook his head.
"Well then, unless you have brain trauma, I think the worst you'll have is a bruise," Mrs. Hunt said.
"Well that's a comforting thought," Gerard laughed. "He doesn't have brain trauma, right?" They added in a concerned voice.
"No, Gee, he's fine. Just let me put his visit into the computer. What's your name, love?"
Frank bit his lip. "Frank Iero."
"How do you spell that?"
"I-E-R-O," Frank said, listening to Mrs. Hunt tap at her keyboard with worry.
"Ah... I only have one Iero listed... Frances?"
Frank scowled. "I know. It's just Frank though, alright?"
"Of course, Frank," Mrs. Hunt smiled at Frank's suprised look. "You'd be surprised at how much this old lady knows about all this LGBT stuff. It's what I get for having two wonderful gay children and Gerard in here all the time. They can go on and on about equal rights and all sorts of stuff."
Frank smiled a relived smile. At least he knew of one safe place to go in the school, this little bubble with people who wanted to be friends with him and an authority figure who understood. Honestly, the day wasn't so bad, despite having gotten punched in the face. Frank thought that he might even make it through the year.
But that happy little bubble was popped as a tall, looming middle aged man stepped into the room, followed by a smug looking Devin. Frank felt his blood run cold with dread. This is what Gee meant when they said they were surprised I was still here, he thought. My mom's gonna kill me.
"Is there a Frank here?" The man, presumably the principal, said, glaring around the room.
Frank nodded, worrying his bruised knuckles with anxiety.
"Come to my office," the principal said.
"Wait! Mr. Hayes!" Gee piped up. "I know what this is about, Frank was just trying to help!"
"I don't care what you think happened, Mr. Way," he said. Frank saw Gerard flinch at the 'mister'. "Devin here says Frank punched him, and violence will not be tolerated on school grounds."
"He knocked me out!" Frank said in disbelief.
"Do you have any proof of that?" The principal asked cooly.
Mrs. Hunt stood up. "That boy has bruising on the side of his face due to a fist being planted there,and both Gerard and Mikey saw Devin punch him."
The principal sighed. "Alright. All of you to my office."
Frank, Gee, and Mikey followed him out of the safety of the nurses office and down the hall to the principal's. He led them into the much darker room and sat them all down in chairs in front of his desk. The room only had one window, closed off with blinds, and the lights gave it an empty feel. A room where hopes and spirits got crushed.
"So," he said. "I'm principal Hayes, as most of you know, and it's the first day of school. I do not want to have to suspend any of you."
"Gee and Mikey did nothing!" Frank said quickly. "Devin said some really offensive things!"
Principal Hayes glared at him. "That is your side of the story."
"And what's his?" Gee asked. "That he just walked up and Frank punched him?"
Devin grinned. "Yes, actually. I was just trying to say hi to her."
"Him," Frank, Gee, and Mikey said in unison.
"The kid punched me! Twice!" Devin protested.
Hayes sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I really don't want to suspend anyone on their first day. I'll let you off with a detention tomorrow, all of you. Please refrain from getting into any more fights or the punishment will be much harsher."
Hayes dismissed them to go to class; they'd all missed the class after lunch. Frank and Gerard both had English, so they bade farewell to Mikey and set off to class, down the hallways slowly filling with students as classes ended.
Gee tucked a strand of their hair behind their ear. "It's really cool what you did. I've never had the courage to punch any of those asshats."
"I was just standing up for what's right," Frank said, shrugging modestly.
"But, don't do it again, Frank? I don't want you to get into trouble," Gerard bit their lip and their face showed genuine concern. "I really don't."
Frank was taken aback. "I won't. I'll try at least... for you."
Gee smiled as they reached the classroom. "Thank you," they said.
Frank decided then and there that he would do anything to protect and please Gerard Way.
It was either the best or the worst decision of his life.
Ahhh okay! So I'm going to try to finish Way Exorcism Consultants before continuing this because that only has two chapters left, but this one will be long. I already like it, but it'll be slow going. Thank you so much for reading this! Votes and comments always appreciated <3