The changes weren't mild.

Gerard stayed over most days, despite the annoyed sighs he got from Mikey, and Frank was there for every sleepless night and fearful day where they sat, waiting, wondering what was next to happen.

His smell was first, Frank getting increasingly sad that the old one he loved was fading, but he became less sad when he realized the new smell was possibly more interesting. His senses were next, and the day of change was spent with Gerard locked in Frank's room with the lights off, him taking many more headache meds than he ever had as he adjusted to the newfound sensitivity. Then it was his teeth. Frank had seen him poking at them almost every time he looked. He knew how odd they felt. It was so strange to look at someone he thought was probably the most human and suddenly see pointed ears and sharp teeth and a stubble he didn't even know existed.

He was startled out of his thoughts by a small, slight sound from the sleeping mass next to him. It was so early the sun had barely peeked over the horizon, but Frank was up now, listening as the small sounds turned into whimpers.

"Gerard?" he questioned, sort of nervous, "Gee, are you okay?" and all he got in response was a whine. That was another change Frank had mixed opinions over. It was saddening to hear him whimper and whine, but the growling matches they held when Gerard's emotions got the best of him made Frank's heart race in a way he couldn't describe.

"Gee, you have to tell me if you're okay," he rested a hand on Gerard's arm, trying to urge him over to look at his face, and when he did, he regretted it. Gerard's face was tight with pain and pale with fear.

"My back," he wheezed, "my back- it hurts- it hurts-" he sucked in a breath. Frank bit his lip. He knew what it meant. And he knew Gerard wouldn't be happy. The heat was one thing, the senses another, but this was... this was the closest Gerard would get to the feeling of a shift before the actual moon. It pained Frank to know that night was so close. Gerard was a late bloomer, so late Frank was hoping and praying it wouldn't happen at all, but it was unfortunately upon them.

"Your tail," he said, his voice quivering, "it's your tail, sugar... I'm sorry," and the whine of terror that slipped past Gerard's lips made the wolf in Frank ache.

The pain stagnated, enough to let them get up, and Frank led him to the kitchen to get him food and water. That was pretty much Frank's job. He knew from personal experience that it was easy to forget to sustain yourself at all, so he was always there to make sure Gerard was as comfortable as possible, everything considered.

It was when they were on the couch that Frank felt Gerard tremble.

"Is it back?" he asked, horribly worried, "is it back...? Can you f-" he was cut off. Gerard wailed.

He gave up on talking, knowing it was too much for Gerard to respond, quickly helping him undo his belt and urge his jeans down enough, able to see the nub of skin protruding near the base of his back. It was oddly fascinating to see. He hadn't been able to see his own, he'd just been curled up in bed trying to keep from crying as his parents were one room over, so being able to watch was both horrifying and oddly intriguing.

He massaged Gerard's hips softly, flipping them so Gerard was in his lap, holding him against his shoulder and really trying not to let his crying get to him. He just watched, feeling Gerard shake against him as he saw the protrusion of skin wriggle further. Then it was the worst part. The first surge pushed it out a couple of inches, and Gerard's scream was enough to make Frank's eyes water with the memory of his own. He remembered it being so bad he thought it was going to split him open and bleed him out.

The next few surges were the same, Gerard crying against him and clutching at his back, his tail fleshing out, and then it seemed to stop. It seemed to pause. Gerard started to breathe feverishly though. He could see every detail as the fur started to push through. It was oddly interesting, oddly nice looking because the fur was sleek and... white, oddly, not black like his hair, and Frank started to imagine what he'd really look like. When the moon took over.

Gerard calmed just slightly, his heart rate slowing and he reached back, feeling at the base of his spine and gripping, his face red with despair as things became all too real to him.

"Gee," Frank said softly, replacing his hands with his own, "Gee, hey, hey, listen to me for a second, okay...? You're okay, it's over, you're alright," he smoothed his hands over the new skin and felt his soft fur, "it's pretty," he added near the end.

"...it hurts," Gerard was so quiet it made Frank ache, "it hurts, Frank... I..." he trailed off. Frank bit his lip.

"I know, Gee, I know," he pressed a kiss to his hair, gentle, "I know it does... it'll go away, alright...? It'll feel better... just ask Ray," just saying that reminded him that they hadn't really been communicating with the outside world for almost a month. He felt a little bad.

"I can't tell him," Gerard said miserably, "him or Mikey... I can't tell anyone... I... they'd hate me..." his voice was shrill from crying.

"You can," Frank admitted, "he'd understand, you know. He is one."

Gerard went silent.

"He's what," he said, clearly in disbelief, "he's- what are you talking about, what the hell are you talking about-"

"He's a werewolf, Gee," Frank was a little nervous telling him, "him and I both are. I... I met him in the woods. I've seen him. I would know."

"You have to be kidding," Gerard wheezed, "oh my g- that explains so much, that- oh my god, Mikey's around him all the time, do you think he's-"

"No, Mikey hasn't been bitten," Frank reassured, "I'd be able to smell him if he was. I'm pretty sure he just helps Ray, alright? And Ray's not violent, he's the literal opposite, you should have seen his first few months..." he shook his head a little. Gerard's face was some mix of fear and disbelief and worry.

"But he- how did I- I've never- I didn't-" he started to sputter. Frank sighed.

"Gee, you have one and a half weeks until your first full moon." he said, and that got Gerard's attention, "one and a half weeks. That's not enough time to be worrying about this stuff. You need to be preparing. You need to be getting ready for your shift. I'll be there, I will, but I... you'll lose yourself. I know you will. It always happens. I can't stay with you the whole time, I have to go through my own, but I'll be there at first, and to watch over you," he knew he was scaring him just a little, but it was necessary.

Gerard was quiet again. "..okay." he whispered, "okay. I... I'll try, I... I'm sorry," and Frank could smell it on him that he really was.

"Don't be sorry, sugar. Just get some rest." he encouraged, and soon both of them were doing just that.

//Author's Notes\\

Yo! I finally got time to write!

~XO, Vacant~