He Calls a Mansion, Not a House, but a Tomb

I started trying to use my crutches after Gerard left. I really needed to get out of this house. At first, it would seem easy, but after a few steps, I felt sharp pain in my left wrist and it would begin to throb, unable to take the weight. I tried leaning on my right, but then I just felt too exerted and my lower back started hurting so I stopped. Every few minutes, after my wrist stopped throbbing, I would try again and fail, plopping back down on the couch.
I tried again for possibly the 20th time now, carefully picking myself up, using one crutch as leverage. I took a few wobbly steps, continuing to the wall of the living room, where I had planned to be the end of my track and where I would turn and go back to the couch... If I ever got there.
I was almost there, when my wrist began to hurt again. I winced, turning, but I was too far from the couch to lean on it.
"Frank." Mikey called out, and caught my shaking body.
"What did the doctor say?" Gerard's voice spoke into my right ear.
"I'm sorry." I whispered. They supported me as I limped back to the couch.
"You need to let your wrist regain its strength." Mikey said.
Gerard stayed beside the couch while Mikey walked off. Gerard smiled down at me sweetly, his index finger brushing away hair that had fallen into my eyes. I closed my eyes, rubbing my wrist gently.
"Bert called." I said. The tip of Gerard's finger lingered against my temple for a second, then slid down my cheek bone, stroking my cheek gently. I opened my eyes. "Gerard."
He looked down at me with dull eyes, a frown on his lips. "What did he want?" Gerard asked, a strange tone in his voice. I wasn't sure what it meant.
"He said he was sorry about the other night, he wanted to get together, and for you to call him." I replied, watching Gerard's hazel eyes twinkle. "He left a message." I added.
Gerard smiled. "I only wanted the apology from him. He owed it to me..." Gerard faded off, looking away.
"Uhm... well, it's done now. Want me to put you into bed, sugar?" He asked, gently running his thumb across my bottom lip.
"Okay." I could only whisper. Gerard whispered an airy "okay" and picked me up.

"Okay, try... personality disorders." I said, skimming through a book I had picked up off the shelf.
"This would be a lot easier if you could tell me a few more details about what I'm actually looking for." Richard groaned from the other side of the shelf as I heard another book being shoved back into its place.
"Hey, don't be snappy. It's called respect for the disabled." I asked, carefully wheeling myself down the aisle to go around to see him.
"Never heard of it." Richard teased, winking at me. I smiled, biting my lip.
"I'm just trying to research... for a character." I said, sucking on my lip piercing. Richard looked at me, cocking one eyebrow.
"Really? Has Linsey lost it?" He asked. I rolled my eyes.
"No, she's gonna be just fine." I said. He nodded and turned back to the shelf.
"Um... He's... a bit paranoid. He changes the subject whenever he's uncomfortable, and he's a bit of a liar." I explained.
"Sounds like you." Richard commented.
My jaw dropped, and I couldn't help but smile. "Heey! I can run over your foot!" I exclaimed.
"Shh... It's a library, Frank." Richard teased, bringing his index finger to his lips. I chuckled.
"And I think he balances multiple relationships at once." I added.
"Interesting, but I doubt there's some sort of actual condition." Richard said. I sighed, slouching in my wheelchair.
"Oh, don't lose faith, just look a bit more. Does he have good relationships with the people he's juggling?" He asked.
I tilted my head in thought. "I don't know... He's kind of quiet about them..." I said softly.
Richard looked at me questionably. "Frank, he's your character." He said. My breath caught in my throat and I nodded.
"Yes... yes, he is... Quite a character, too."