Return To Me, My Love

FRANK'S POV

Things have settled back down for Gerard and I in the last few days since the run in with that dickhead paparazzi and I'm so excited to be going to Paris with him tomorrow just the two of us. The bus is only a few hours from the venue and Ian and I are in the back lounge packing up the last of our stray gear when Gerard comes in with his laptop, looking really upset and pale. "Hey baby what's wrong?" I ask as I drop the cable I'm rolling up and step over beside him, Gerard offering me his laptop and I take it, turning it around so I can see the screen and I vaguely register Ian stepping up behind me as I stare at what Gerard is showing me, in utter shock that they could write such terrible lies and have it circulate. "That fucking asshole" I snap when I regain control of myself and I hand the laptop back, leaving the back lounge in search of Ed, the tour manager. After Ed has seen the pictures we go into the front lounge and discuss exactly what happened, Ed telling me that once we stop we'll be going to call the label and make an official statement, deciding that letting the legal team handle it will be the best way to deal with it. By the time we finish with our call it's early afternoon and when we get back to the bus it's empty, Ed informing me the rest of the guys would be sound checking right now so I rush back off the bus, running into the venue and an assistant shows me how to get to the stage. As I approach I hear a familiar tune start and right before the stage comes into view I hear a voice sing the opening line "See the stone set in your eyes..." And I rush the last few steps until I'm standing right at the side of the stage, seeing Gerard standing behind the mic, his eyes closed as he sings his heart out, getting more and more into it as the song progresses and he relaxes, looking like he's glowing in the stage lights and I remain where I am until the song ends, noticing a group of techs and venue staff standing around where the crowd will be just staring at Gerard and as the last few notes fade out I step out onto the stage, leading the applause that quickly spreads from the crowd gathered to watch and Gerard turns to look at me, his face flushed pink and his chest heaving from the adrenalin and I run the last few steps and scoop him into my arms, his legs wrapping around my waist as I hold him to me, our foreheads pressed together as I softly say "That was fucking amazing baby," Gerard giggling and blushing even more as he shakes his head.

After the show I come off stage and change quickly, letting one of the techs take my bag back to the bus as I make my way out into the venue and to the back where Gerard is making a final few sales before packing up the merch and I join him, selling a few shirts and signing them before we seem to have gotten through everyone and we start quickly packing up, a few lingering fans trying to talk and I talk as we pack up, explaining that we can't hang around or we'll miss our flight and we carry the containers of merch outside where one of the techs is waiting for it. Once everything is sorted out Gerard and I go back to the bus, Gerard gushing about how great the show was as we grab our bags and anything else we will be taking with us, Ian agreeing to get the rest of our stuff to the apartment when they get back home and we say goodbye, getting in a cab and heading to the airport, Gerard full of energy and excitement but by the time we make it on to the plane he's quietened down considerably, his eyes drooping slightly and by the time we're in the air he's asleep, his head tilted back against the seat as he breathes evenly and I smile fondly as I reach over and undo his seatbelt, wrapping my arm around his waist and gently guiding him over to lay against my side and he hums softly and nuzzles his head into my shoulder, his eyes remaining closed and I spend the short flight just watching his beautiful face while he sleeps, wondering how I could be so lucky to have him put up with all my shit.

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