"Why?" Mikey asks, sitting down at the desk across from the bed. Gerard and Frank are now dressed, Gerard in his usual outfit of a gray sleeveless shirt and black jeans, and Frank in a blue sweatshirt and jeans that are ripped to all hell. "I don't understand why you would jeopardize your marriages like this. How long has this been going on?" Mikey asks.

"It started way back in oh-four," Gerard sighs. "Frank was just kinda there and he was the only person I would've even considered sleeping with."

"Yeah, no, I know about that," Mikey says, rolling his eyes. "I mean this time around."

"Oh," Gerard says quietly. "Let's see... In Austin, we kissed, and it was just last night that we slept together again."

"Frank, I thought you were heartbroken," Mikey says.

"I was," Frank defends himself. "But then..." He sighs and says: "But I love him."

"No, no, we're not skipping over this," Mikey says. "What happened to make you realize that you still love Gee?"

Frank looks at Gerard, and pulls his lock out from inside of his shirt. "He gave this to me in Austin," he says quietly, pulling the chain off and handing it to Mikey. "And I realized that I still have feelings for him."

"A necklace?" Mikey asks.

"I have the key," Gerard says, pulling his own necklace out. He doesn't hand it to Mikey, though. "I saw it and thought of Frank."

"Are these your goddamn initials?" Mikey asks, squinting at the small handwriting on the surface of the lock. "Could you guys be any more obvious?"

Gerard mumbles a half-hearted apology, taking Frank's hand in his. "You guys know would happen if you got caught, right?" Mikey asks. "Divorce, undoubtedly. Probably lose custody of Cherry and Lily, and Bandit. Your lives would go to shit. You're really risking all of that?"

"Yes," Gerard says bluntly, leaning forward and snatching Frank's necklace out of his brother's hand, then gently pulling it over Frank's head so that it hangs around his neck once more. "Because I made a mistake marrying Lindsey; I married her to help me forget about Frank and Jamia. I do love Lindsey, to an extent, but I love Frank even more."

"Let me say this another way," Mikey says, pressing his palms in front of his mouth in a professional manner. "You're willing for your daughter— my niece, Gerard— to be taken away from you? If you lose custody, you can't—"

"I know how custody works," Gerard snaps. "I'm her dad. Not you."

This seems to hit Mikey wrong, because he slowly closes his eyes and sighs deeply, letting his head fall into his hands. "You're right," he whispers. "I'm not her dad. Do whatever the fuck you think is the best thing. I don't care anymore."

"No, wait," Frank interjects. "Gerard, Mikey's right. If Mia or Linds finds out... It'll be really bad. I'm not sure I can deal with my daughters being taken away. I'm sorry, but I can't risk that."

Gerard doesn't respond immediately, instead looking down at the carpet. "Where's Toro?" He finally asks. "Get him in here."

"I don't really know," Mikey says.

"Then, fucking find him," Gerard growls.

"Gee, calm down," Frank says, laying his hand on Gerard's knee. "You're getting scary."

"Sorry, baby," Gerard says quietly and covers Frank's hand with his own, squeezing gently.

"Oh, okay, you're apologizing to your secret boyfriend but you won't to your own brother?" Mikey asks, only halfway joking. "I see how it is."

"Well, yeah, but you're my little brother," Gerard argues. "I don't have to apologize to you."

"Dick," Mikey mutters, pulling out his phone and immediately calling Ray.

"What's up?" Ray asks when he answers the phone.

"So, some information has come to light that we need you to weigh in on," Mikey says, biting his bottom lip.

"And that would be?" Ray asks hesitantly. "We're not cancelling the tour, are we?"

"What? No," Gerard says, moving closer to the phone to be heard. "Why is that the first thing you think of?"

"Excuse Gerard, he's being a dick," Mikey says, pushing Gerard's shoulder. "No, we're not cancelling the tour. Umm... Frank and Gerard—"

"Are they sleeping together again?" Ray asks, sighing.

"Yep," Mikey says.

"But... They..." Ray stutters. "As the only married man who is staying faithful to his wife, I have to say that is really bad."

"We know," Frank says quietly, hanging his head with guilt.

"What about your kids?" Ray asks.

"We've already had this discussion," Gerard says harshly. "We've figured out what to do."

"Stop sleeping together?" Ray supplies hopefully.

"No," Mikey snaps. "They're gonna hide it."

"This is gonna bite you guys on the ass," Ray tells them.

Gerard opens his mouth like he wants to say something, but Frank smacks his arm. "Dude, no," he whispers. "Don't piss Ray off any more than he already is."

"Where are you?" Mikey asks.

"I'm exploring. Been a few years since we've been down here," Ray answers.

"Come up to Frank's room. These two're in a right state," Mikey says, peeking at Gerard and Frank out of the corner of his eye, and examining his brother's red-marked neck.

"Be right there," Ray says quickly and hangs up.

About twenty minutes later, Ray is up in Frank's room, fuming and having to push his hands deep in his pockets to keep from hitting Gerard. "What is the matter with you?" He says loudly, trying not to raise his voice. "You two are fucked!"

"We know, Ray," Frank says quietly. "It was a big mistake, and we've agreed to stop."

"When was this?" Gerard asks, looking at Frank. "'Cause I don't remember having this conversation."

"Okay, asshole," Frank snaps, rolling his eyes. "I've agreed to stop."

Gerard's eyes widen and his heart feels like it's falling into his stomach. "You... You have?" Gerard whispers. "When?"

"Right about the time Mikey reminded me that I might lose my daughters," Frank says slowly, tightening his grip on Gerard's hand. "Gerard, I love you. I do; I love you so much. But I... I love my daughters more. Please understand that I'm doing this to stay with Cherry and Lily."

The room is completely silent, everyone watching for Gerard's reaction. "You're right," he finally whispers. "I should think about Bandit. God, I'm so stupid. I'm sorry, Frank."

"So, you guys will stop?" Mikey asks.

"Yeah," Frank says. "It's for the best."

---

The show that night is a blur of lights and loud music. Frank can't seem to focus on anything but the singer, and he can tell that Gerard is the same with him.

He's more than thankful when the show is over, and he's allowed to go back to the hotel. His fingers hurt, as well as his stomach, and he wants nothing more than to sleep the night away.

But his attempt at sleep is interrupted by a heavy knocking at his door. "God..." Frank murmurs, quickly searching in the darkness for the lamp. He eventually finds it and clicks it on as the pounding sounds again, and Frank sighs heavily, hoping whomever's at the door doesn't mind his current state of boxers and no shirt.

"Gerard?" Frank exclaims, opening the door. "What're you—"

He doesn't get to say any more, as Gerard harshly kisses him, his arms encircling Frank's waist. Frank squeaks in surprise and pushes Gerard off of him. "Gerard!" He cries, pushing his hair out of his eyes. "What are you doing?"

"I can't quit you, Frankie," Gerard tells him breathlessly. "I love you and I want you and-and you're a drug and I want to quit but I can't and I want to quit you but I can't quit you."

"Gee..." Frank starts quietly. He scrutinizes Gerard: the white parlor of his face, how blown his eyes are, how his hands are shaking. "Are you high?"

"Yes," he answers immediately.

"Gerard," Frank says sternly, pulling the man into the room. He slams the door behind him, pushing him against the wall and presses his index finger into Gerard's chest. "What did you take? Where'd you get it?"

"We're in Atlanta, Georgia, Frankie," Gerard scoffs. "Where won't I be able to get some ecstasy?"

"You fucking took ecstasy?" Frank cries. He rakes his fingers through his sweaty concert-hair and looks down at his feet, trying to figure out what to do. The lover's drug; fuck. "Well, I'm not touching you. At all."

"Why not?" Gerard whines, reaching forward to grasp Frank's hip.

"Because," Frank argues, wrenching himself out of Gerard's grip. "You are high on a drug that makes every touch even more intense. I-I'm absolutely not giving you that pleasure."

"Oh, but Frankie," Gerard purrs, wrapping his arms around Frank's shoulders and gently kissing his neck. "It would be amazing."

"Gerard, no," Frank says harshly. "I'm calling your brother and letting him sort you out."

"No, baby, please," Gerard begs. "Please don't call Mikey."

"Why?" Frank asks, pushing Gerard's arms off of his shoulders. "You can't do this shit. This isn't how sobriety works, Gerard."

Gerard says nothing as Frank makes his way over to where his cell phone lays, quickly dialing Mikey's number. Then, as the phone rings, he feels Gerard's hands on his hips, turning him around quickly. Before he can protest, Gerard drops to his knees and starts to mouth at Frank's cock through the thin fabric of his boxers. He moans, sending tiny tremors up Frank's quickly-growing cock, making him moan in turn. "Gerard, s-stop," Frank groans, his free hand instinctively tangling in Gerard's hair.

"Do you really want me to?" Gerard murmurs, moving his lips away and looking up at Frank.

"Yes, because I am calling your brother," Frank argues, holding back a whimper as Gerard starts again, this time using his tongue to travel up the length.

"Frank?" Mikey answers finally, his voice a bit muffled. "It's, like, one in the morning. Are you okay?"
"Not really," Frank says, biting his lip to keep from moaning out as Gerard pulls his boxers down with his teeth.

"What's wrong?" Mikey asks.

"Well," he starts and lets out a whimper as Gerard takes him in his mouth.

"Frank? Are you okay?" Mikey repeats.

"Gee, stop," Frank whispers, then clearing his throat and saying louder: "I need you to come get Gee."

"Why? Is he okay?" Mikey asks.

"I don't know," Frank says, pulling on Gerard's hair as he licks up the shaft. "He's pretty high, but I don't know how much of exactly what. He told me ecstasy, but I'm not sure if it was laced with anything else."

"Damn it, he's high?" Mikey asks quietly. "Where'd he get it?"

"He didn't say," Frank tells Mikey, coughing to trying to cover Gerard's loud moans.

"Ask him," Mikey says.

"I can't," Frank says quietly, pulling roughly on Gerard's hair again.

"Why the hell not?" Mikey scoffs.

"He's... Indisposed," Frank says carefully.

"..."

"Mikey? Are you there?"

"Is he sucking you off? God, I'm on the phone with you!" Mikey exclaims.

"I'm sorry, but he basically forced me into this," Frank says. "He's not raping me, because you would already be here if he was, but this isn't very welcome. Come get him or get rid of the drugs. Make yourself useful."

"I'm not coming near that room, so I'll get rid of the stuff," Mikey sighs. "Good luck, man."

"Thank you," Frank sighs gratefully.

"This is disgusting," Mikey murmurs. "At least could've waited..." He hangs up before any more can be said.

"Frankie," Gerard moans loudly, as if he was waiting for the conversation to end.

"Gerard, please stop," Frank begs, pulling Gerard up by his hair. He looks Gerard straight in the eyes and gently says: "Baby, I want this too, but this won't go anywhere good. You have to stop."

"I tried, Frank!" Gerard exclaims. "Six years! I didn't call you for six years because I was trying to forget about you! I was sober for years because I had you there with me, and then I had Bandit and the state— the fucking government, Frank!— would take her away if I was on drugs around her! I can't lose my daughter, as much as you can't lose your's, but I need you. You're my ecstasy, Frank: your every touch is electrifying, and I can't get enough. I tried to quit, but I fucking cannot. I can't quit you."

Frank sighs and pulls his boxers back up, leaning his forehead against Gerard's chest. "Gee," he says quietly. "God... I don't know what to say."

"Say I'm your drug," Gerard suggests. "Tell me that, in those six years, you missed me and wanted to call so badly. Say that you longed for last night, and that you never wanted it to end. Say that..." He trails off to pull his key out, letting it glint in the lamplight. "I gave this to you for a reason, Frank. Please tell me that you feel the same way."

"Gerard, you know I do," Frank whispers, pressing his palm to Gerard's cheek lightly. "You know I love you, but... The whole world is against us. We can't, because we're not that subtle, and our wives would find out.

"You are my drug, Gee. I've been sober of you for six long years. Last night was a relapse for the both of us, and I want to keep getting high off of you, but it'll kill us in the end."

A tear slides down Gerard's cheek, and he leans down to gently kiss Frank. "Just for the record, it's taking all of my willpower not to jump your bones right now," he mutters against Frank's lips, and Frank squeezes his eyes shut, giggling.

"God, you're such a dork," Frank laughs quietly and wraps his arms around Gerard's neck, rising up on his toes to meet Gerard's height.

Gerard pulls Frank closer, gently running his tongue over Frank's bottom lip, before gasping and pulling away. "Where's your necklace?" He asks, the drug coursing through his veins making his words a hurried panic.

"I took it off so it wouldn't break while I was performing," Frank explains softly. "It's on the counter in the bathroom."

"Oh, the counter," Gerard moans.

"Shut up," Frank scoffs, smiling, before pulling back to kiss Gerard again, opening his mouth to allow Gerard's tongue into his mouth.

Gerard places his hands on Frank's hips, pulling him even closer. Frank says nothing about Gerard's erection pressing through his jeans and into his thigh, because he's sure that his own is doing the same.
Gerard pulls away with a soft noise and whispers: "Frankie, put on your necklace. I never want to see you without it again."

Frank nods and quickly goes to the bathroom, pulling the necklace on, and making his way back out to Gerard, who is now sitting on the edge of the bed. His jacket lays abandoned on the floor and he's working on unzipping his jeans. "Gee, we're not—" Frank starts but Gerard shushes him.

"I know that," he says. "But I'm tired and my room is being patrolled by my brother and I don't want to deal with Mikey tonight, so I'm gonna sleep next to you."

"Oh," Frank says quietly. "Okay."

"But if you wake up and your dick is in my mouth..." Gerard starts, smiling.

"Go to sleep, dork," Frank laughs as Gerard finishes shedding his clothing, leaving him only in his boxers and the necklace. He slides underneath the covers and Frank does the same, turning off the lamp.

"'Night, love," Gerard whispers, landing a kiss on the tip of Frank's nose.

"You missed," Frank whispers back, letting out a small giggle.

"Missed? Missed what?" Gerard asks, furrowing his eyebrows in the dark.

Frank moves closer and softly kisses Gerard's lip, running his fingers through his hair and hearing Gerard moan at the contact. The drug is still in him, Frank reminds himself. "You missed," Frank repeats. "The target."

"But—"

"'Buts' are for sex, Gee," Frank laughs.

"You're so juvenile," Gerard scoffs. "I love you."

"I love you too," Frank says quietly and leans his head forward onto Gerard's shoulder, quickly falling asleep in the darkness and comfort.

Notes

xoKristin