You Have Witchcraft In Your Lips

"Ray? Ray, I'll have to go in a minute" Gerard called down the hallway, adjusting his cufflink as he went. Before he got to the end he heard bounding footsteps behind him and was nearly thrown forwards as a large body moulded itself to his back, two arms finding their way around his neck.

"Oh Gee, I'm gonna miss you"

Gerard chuckled, patting his forearm at an awkward angle. "I'm gonna miss you too. I need to go get my case buddy"

Ray sighed, reluctantly loosening his grip and allowing Gerard to fetch his coat and suitcase. "Why are you leaving now and not next week like you told your brother?"

"I wanted to surprise him"

"Where are you meeting him though? You're not going to your parents house are you?"

Gerard paused, slowly folding down the collar of his coat. "Ah. I never thought about that. Maybe I could ring him when I get off the plane? It wouldn't be as big a surprise, though"

"Maybe you shouldn't go then" Ray said quickly. "Just go next week. Please?"

"Oh Ray" Gerard chuckled, grabbing him and pulling him into another hug. "I really am going to miss you. I'll be back at Christmas, it's not like we'll never see each other again"

"I suppose so. It's an amazing opportunity though. Romeo, eh? One of the most famous characters of all time, and in such a beautiful venue" Ray said, unable to keep the excitement out of his voice. "Christmas is too far away anyway, I may just have come and see you before that. Maybe watch a play or two"

"You'd do that?" Gerard asked. "That'd be amazing Ray. I could show you around New York, maybe around New Jersey too. You could meet Mikey"

"That sounds great. I wish I could come and see you off-"

"Don't be silly, you didn't even need to get up with me, it's like 6am. And besides, you have your play tonight. You can't have Dancing At Lughnasa without Gerry Evans"

"I suppose... Good luck Romeo, I'm so proud of you. Parting truly is such sweet sorrow" Ray joked, wiping away an imaginary tear.

Gerard gave him a small smile, the thought dawning on him that he was actually leaving England. "Take care Ray"

"You too, have a safe flight. Call me as soon as you're there"

Gerard gave a watery chuckle, embracing his friend one last time before lifting his suitcase and stepping out into the street and raising a hand to signal one of taxis flying past.

*

"So what time is this play thing at?" Frank said tiredly as the movie ended, standing up and stretching.

"Oh it's not for another couple of months. Gerard's coming over to rehearse"

Frank fought the urge to roll his eyes. "Then why did you bother asking me right now?"

"Just to seal the deal" Mikey said smugly. "It was less awkward to explain it before Gerard comes"

Frank had always imagined theatres to be grand, posh places with golden seats and red curtains, completely filled with old rich people who looked down their nose as you if you dared sneak in candy or have a beer instead of a bottle of wine that costs more than Frank's rent. Classic places of snobbery, in Frank's opinion.

"This is gonna be so stupid. Can you really imagine me in a suit and pair of those stupid little opera glasses?"

"Yes" Mikey snickered. "But don't worry, you won't even need opera glasses. We get to be right up front because we're friends and family of the actor"

"Wow, lucky us. I can barely contain my excitement"

"You'll love it Frank" he said cheerfully. "I hated it too until I went to see Gerard for the first time"

"You said it wasn't your scene" Frank accused.

"And so it wasn't until I started going to see Gerard" Mikey shrugged. "I just said that so you'd come with me. And you can't take it back"

"I suppose I can't" Frank sighed. "You staying here tonight kid?"

"Kid? I'm older than you" Mikey scowled. "And uh, yeah. It's getting late, and I'd rather be here than over there"

"I don't blame you. I know I've only been to your parents house a few times, but it has a weird vibe, like they're scrutinising me every time they see me" Frank shivered.

"Maybe because if they knew you were gay they'd try to crucify you?"

"Yeah, that's probably it" Frank chuckled.

Feeling a sudden strong drowsiness come over him, he yawned, stretched and turned back to Mikey "Night then"

"Uh, night"

Frank started down the small corridor, turning around as he heard Mikey follow behind. "You're not sleeping in my bed"

"I don't want to sleep in your bed" Mikey said indignantly. "I'm getting a blanket"

"What did you think I was doing?" Frank rolled his eyes, grabbing a blanket and extra pillow off the end of his bed.

"Okay. Thanks"

Frank stripped off his t shirt, tossing it to one side. He'd worn that shirt around 4 days in a row. Tonight he'd spilled beer on it, so he had to give in and wash it. Washing wasn't exactly one of Frank's favourite pastimes, and he avoided it whenever possible.

"Fuck- you scared me. What?" Frank jumped as Mikey popped his head around the door.

Mikey scratched the back of his head. "You spilt beer on the couch earlier. It's all sticky and gross now and I'd rather not sleep on it. Can I stay in here please?"

"Does that mean I can't sleep naked tonight?"

Mikey wrinkled his nose. "I'd rather you didn't"

Frank gave a resigned sigh and tossed his jeans in the direction of his discarded t shirt, grabbing a pair of sweats out of his top drawer and climbing into bed.

He heard Mikey stumbling around, attempting to get changed. He closed his eyes and crossed his arms across his chest, trying to block out the sound.

He felt the left side of the small bed dip and shuffled over further into the wall so Mikey could get in. Frank suddenly felt cold hands wrap around his arm and a little contented sigh escaping Mikey's lips.

Frank groaned. "So we're fucking cuddling now? What is this?"

"It's not my fault, you're weirdly warm"

"And you're about as cuddly as an iron gate" Frank mumbled, making a half hearted attempt to shuffle away before sighing and lying still, realising there was nowhere to shuffle on the tiny bed as he was already pressed right up against the wall "For someone who considers themselves straight Mikes, this is gay. Like, extremely gay"

"Don't be homophobic" Mikey mumbled, pressing his cheek against Frank's bare shoulder.

"That would be pretty hypocrytical of me" Frank frowned, staring up at the ceiling. "I'll tell you one thing- it's a good thing I've had a few beers, otherwise I'd be kicking you out of here. I mean, I'm kinda tipsy but this is still pretty weird"

"Nah, it's not that weird, is it?" Mikey mumbled sleepily.

"A skinny half-naked straight dude has glued himself to the side of a half-naked gay dude in bed. It's pretty weird"

"Shh. I think it's nice, it's a bonding experience. It shows how strong our friendship is" Mikey said slowly, his eyes sliding closed.

"...You are wearing underwear, aren't you?"

"Of course I'm wearing fucking underwear"

"Good"

"Good. Night night Frankie"

Frank shook his head. "Night Mikey"

Notes

I threw in a little innocent frikey, for any frikey shippers out there. That bit was for you guys. All comments are loved and appreciated :)

-killjoybyname