I've Sailed the Seas

I wake up to a cold room. I’m about to call it lonely as well, when I turn my head upwards and spot Frank near my porthole. His arms are crossed and his back is turned to me.
I smile softly as memories of last night quickly wash over me, and as I sit up and put on my shirt, I make wishes to Freya to let it happen again.

And again.

I get up and walk over to Frank’s small figure, wrapping my arms around it. He jumps lightly, but he doesn’t relax. I lean into the touch of him, but he doesn’t into mine.
I look up and see him wearing a serious expression. His eyebrows are wrinkled, his eyes are inflamed and his cheeks are wet.
I pull away slightly from the horrid sight. It feels like a stab in my gut as I see his tearstained face. He is too perfect to be broken.
I’m about to ask him what’s wrong, when I see the glimmering luminance on his face.
I turn and look out the small, round window.
I can’t catch my breath. It look beautiful, but I know that to Frank, it is a sight of pure horror.

“This was my town.” I lower my head quickly as if to protect myself from his words.
This is my fault.
“My father owned this town. I was to inherit it.” I lose my breath. I let go of Frank, step back and completely lose my breath. It’s as if my lungs have disintegrated.
This is my fault.
I broke what was perfect – his town.

Him.

I fall onto my hands and knees and try to focus on regaining my breath, but I can’t. I close my eyes and press out the tears, but I get nothing in return. I dig my nails into the floor board, but gain nothing from it.
“Gerard?” Frank’s voice is so caring that I feel a tiny speck of hope rise in me, but it is easily pushed aside when I realize how hurt and broken he still sounds.
He calls out my name once more before I feel his hands on my shoulders.
They give me life.
I gasp in large gulps of air – each gulp feeling like a knife.
Frank pulls me into his arms and rocks me back and forth as I breathe heavily and quickly into his chest.

When I calm down, Frank is still rocking me. He has put aside his own sorrow to comfort me and makes my guilt disappear for a few minutes.
I truly can’t help but to love him.
I pull away from his chest and look him in the eye.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, with nothing but remorse filling my voice.
Frank shakes his head.

“You would never do something so cruel.” I close my eyes and absorb his words.
“You saved me.” I look back up at him and meet his wet, golden eyes.
“I would’ve burned if it weren’t for you.” I take a deep breath in and lift my hand up to his face. His soft cheek caressed my palm and his earlobe tickles the tip of my ring finger.

“You scorched me.” I brush my thumb over his lips.
“You branded me.” Our eyes stay locked.
“I’m yours.”