You Have Witchcraft In Your Lips

"So are you staying in a hotel?" Frank asked in the politest tone he could, gathering from what Mikey talked about their parents, Gerard wasn't welcome.

"Yup" Gerard nodded, mustering a smile despite feeling slightly drowsy from the change in climate.

"Okay... Are you staying there the whole time?"

"Oh no, I wouldn't be able to afford it" he laughed easily. "It's just for a few days, assuming I get the roommate placement... Or even the part as Romeo for that matter, I still have to do an official audition for it. The director said I should be okay though. As for a more permanent place to stay, Mikey had been looking around for an apartment and someone to share it with"

"Oh. Good luck, I guess"

Frank fell silent as the Way brothers caught up. It felt slightly invasive to be honest, being in the car with them. After all, years is a long time to catch up.

"You alright?" Mikey asked, leaning over and poking Frank's shoulder from the back seat.

"Huh? Yeah I'm fine. Why?"

"You're really quiet. Usually I can never get you to shut up" Mikey said cheerfully, causing Gerard to giggle.

"Oh. I just didn't feel the need to get in on the fascinating convo on Gerard's first love, as great as she sounds" Frank grunted defensively.

"Alex isn't a she" Gerard smiled. "And I only had the opportunity to work with him, not have any kind of romantic relationship with him. Fuck, I wish" he laughed.

"Alex is a dude?" Frank said, blinking stupidly.

"He is"

"Oh. From the way you were telling the story..."

Gerard glanced over at Mikey, who looked rather embarrassed. "Is that okay?"

"It's fine" Frank said quickly, cringing at how he must have sounded.

"Frank's gay too" Mikey stated, as if that would relieve the awkwardness. "So... That's something you have in common"

"And you and Gilderoy Lockhart are both idiots, so that's something you two have in common" Frank replied, wondering how it was even possible for Mikey to have made the conversation weirder.

There was a pause in the car, before Gerard broke it and clears his throat.

"Anyhow, what's your job, since was boring you so much?"

"I... Work in a garage" Frank shrugged.

"What do you do?"

"I fix cars, what else are you supposed to do in garages?"

"Cool. Where did you learn to fix cars?"

"Why are you asking me so many questions?" Frank snapped.

"You were obviously tired of me talking about myself, so I'm trying to talk about you?"

"It's weird. Quit it. Go back to talking to Lockheart over there"
Gerard smiled and glanced sideways at Frank before restarting his conversation with Mikey.

-

The remainder of the journey was quieter, Mikey and Gerard having the occasional word, Frank staying silent.

They pulled up outside Gerard's hotel and Mikey hopped out, opening up the trunk to retrieve Gerard's belongings.

"Erm, in all seriousness... Thank you very much for waking up and driving all the way down there to pick me up"

"S'okay" Frank mumbled, suddenly awkward again. He hastened to get out of the car and help Mikey, Gerard's gaze too intense and his words too sincere for Frank to be comfortable.

The three of them finished hauling Gerard's things onto the luggage cart and Gerard straightened up.

"It was a pleasure meeting you" Gerard said politely to Frank, holding out a hand.

"I'm sure it was" Frank replied, cupping his hands around the end of his cigarette to light it. Mikey rolled his eyes and flicked him over the head.

Gerard gave him a serene smile then paused as he began pulling the cart towards the hotel, a small smirk growing on his face.

"By the way... I like your underwear"

Frank frowned at the odd remark and looked down, realisation hitting him that he still wasn't wearing any and quickly adjusted his pants.

"Ugh really dude?" Mikey exclaimed, wrinkling his nose and quickly averted his eyes.

Frank mumbled something about sleeping, trying to pass off the embarrassment.

"Well, I better go check in. Thank you for the ride" Gerard added, still laughing.

"Wait up Gee, I'll stay and help you unpack" Mikey called, looking rather disturbed. He turned back to Frank. "Thanks Frank, I'll text you okay?"

"Sure you can get home from here?" Frank teased.

"Pretty sure, if not I can get mom to pick me up"

"You do that" Frank laughed, shaking his head. "I'm going back to bed"

Notes

Hi, how are you guys? It felt nice to write again. I hope you all had a good Christmas!

-killjoybyname