The Aftermath Of Death

The next morning once 9am rolled in Frank felt better. Work was always great to take his mind off of things and he really did love work. Frank had always loved music from a very young age. It was a cathartic thing for him he pushed out all the negativity that resided in him and made music. He never seen himself as a musician though. When he was a kid he never wanted to perform live and have screaming fans. He wanted to watch bands and make music from the other direction. He didn't want to be on stage every night because the idea terrified him. So that's why he works in Eyeball records New York office now. Because there he got to help make music and help promote bands and watch gigs and go to concerts and be a part of the music industry in the way he wanted to be a part of it.

Gerard always wanted him to make music for a career and if it wasn't for his untimely death Frank probably would've considered it. Gerard had always had a way of wrapping Frank around his little finger and making him do whatever he wanted. Because Frank loved him and he would do anything for him. Gerard was aware of that and used it to his advantage. He never used Frank he didn't make him do anything he knew would hurt him, but he always got his own way somehow.

'Can you play me a song?' They were currently spread out of Gerard's big double bed in his New York apartment. Gerard was lying with his head on Franks lap and Frank was smiling down at him. They had been like that for a while. Gerard's request was out of the blue and tore franks gaze away from him.

'Erm. Well...' Frank hated performing he hated playing in front of people and he hated performing in front of Gerard he always got nervous. Because he wanted to make Gee happy.
'Please Frankie...' Gerard whined stretching every syllable out till he ran out of breath. He widened his eyes and gave Frank his best impression of a puppy. 'Pwease.' He muttered pursing his lips and moving so that's he nudged into Franks thigh.

'I guess. Well I mean...' Frank glanced down towards Gerard looking for a sign that he was going to let him off the hook. Gerard just widened his eyes more and pouted his lips further. Frank wanted to kiss him right then. To both shut him up and because he always wanted to kiss Gerard. 'Okay.' Frank muttered giving in and moving off the bed letting Gerard's head all onto the bed. He squealed in delight and clapped still lying on his back whilst Frank went to go retrieve his guitar from the living room. When Frank returned Gerard was sitting crossed legged on his bed in the centre ready for the show. 'Any requests?' Frank said quietly plucking at the strings methodically not looking directly at Gerard.

'Anything.' He said closing his eyes and leaning back against the headboard. 'You're amazing at anything.' Frank settled opposite him and sighed staring at Gerard's relaxed featured. His little nose and the way his jaw jutted out when he sat with his head tipped that way and how his eyelashes lay softly on his pale skin. That's when Frank decided what song he would play for him. So he started to play the quick strums smiling at him.

'That boy...' He sang softly making Gerard open one eye and raise an eyebrow slightly smiling at him. Gerard moved slightly to get comfy. 'Took my love away...' He sang again giggling as he tried to concentrate on getting the chord right. Gerard sat up properly and wasn't leaning against the bed but sitting up properly. His eyes wide with excitement. 'He'll regret it someday...' Frank sang towards him still strumming.

'Never.' Gerard said leaning on his hands and began to crawl towards Frank. Smiling as Frank continued.

'This boy, wants you back again.' Frank said just before Gerard pressed his lips to his. Frank quickly pushed the guitar to the side and placing his hands on Gerard cheeks pushing him so he's lying on his back. They kissed passionately and softly. Pulling away to giggle and breathe heavily before pushing into it more. Gerard moved his hands through franks hair pulling him off slightly so he could speak.

'So...the Beatles?' Gerard said as Frank settled into his chest making a humming sound.

'Yes. I love them. Everyone should.' Frank said inhaling Gerard's scent and signing contently. 'You know if I'm gonna get that kind of reward every time I sing a line of a song I wanna see what you'll do if I perform a concert.' Gerard laughed pulling Frank into a tighter hug like he was protecting him.

'You'll have to wait and see.' Gerard teased as he ran his fingers though franks unwashed hair. They stayed like this for a while until all light was gone and the room was filled with darkness.

'That boy isn't good for you, though he may want you too.' Gerard sang softly into his ear. He strokes franks cheeks and nuzzled his nose into the crook of his neck.

'You're good for me Gerard Way. You're perfect.'

Frank was on the subway when is iPod shuffles to 'This Boy' sweeping him back to that day. He smiled trying not to let it seem like a bad memory tainted by the death of Gerard, but a beautiful day which he will always love. His stop was approaching so he pulled on his shoulder bag and stood next to the doors. The opened quickly and soon enough Frank was pulled into the busy crowds of the subway station.

At the surface there was just crowds of men in suits, teens in skinny jeans and women talking quickly into phones. So Frank sort of melted into the background. Black jeans white shirt and doc martens with his short brown hair and sunglasses on to block out the winter sun, he looked like any other guy passing on the street. The office was a five minute walk from the station and meant he was able to stop by at a Starbucks before he had to go to work.

Work was normal. It always was. It was the only piece of normal Franks had the past couple of days so he revels in it. He had a couple of interviews and some songs to listen to them he had to organise a gig for this new band they had recruited so they could promote them in New York. The day was slow and by the time lunch rolled in Frank was kind of relieved as he had planned to have lunch with Ray.

Ray was normal he was quiet and lovely and new how to play guitar. He was in one of the first bands Frank ever helped promote. The Rodney's. This meant that Frank and Ray spent a lot of time with each other and really did form a strong bond.

'Do you know that hot chick from Dcd2?' Ray said cheerfully chewing on his hotdog as the two walked down the street. Frank nodded slightly. 'She phoned me up. Saying something about Wentz wanting to talk to us about taking us on.' Franks eye went wide. In this industry you had to know when to let a band go and get signed to a bigger deal, Frank knew the band was ready he just didn't expect dcd2 or fuelled by ramen to be in anyway interested.

'I said hell no obviously.' Ray chirped in taking another bite of his food.

'What? Why?' Frank said. Ray chewed his food thoughtfully and made Frank wait for his answer.

'Because.' He said finally. 'We like it at Eyeball. And anyway we have our eye on 'Staple'.' Frank shook his head whilst they turned the corner to be met by the EyeballRecords company building.

'I don't think you understand Ray. This is huge! Staple will want you and so will Reprise and everywhere else but this is the big one! Dcd2 is the label where people make it big. You gotta understand that.' Ray nodded opening the glass door and moving through the building.

'I do get that, but we don't wanna work for someone who just churns us through the machine of the industry and spits us back out with out auto tuned singing and catchy non meaningful lyrics.' Ray flustered slightly leaning against the wall and pressing the button for the lift.

'That won't happen. Dcd2 are good I promise. But it's up to you guys and we are happy for you to stay as long as you want, just don't be so happy about the fact you turned them down.' Ray smiled stepping into the lift after Frank.

'Anyway. How are you?' Ray says nudging franks shoulder slightly.

'I'm good. Tired, but good.' Frank smiled trying to seem as normal as possible, because that's what today was about acting normal.

'Late night?' Ray laughed as the lift stopped at Franks floor. They both it out and made there way to Franks office.

'No, just difficult sleep.' Ray nodded sympathetically and slumped down onto one of Franks seats.

'Wait? Are you not going to have lunch?' Ray looked cornered, but Ray was always worried about Frank. Everyone, but Frank, was worried about Frank.

'No, no I am going out tonight with family so I don't wanna fill myself up.' Frank lied quickly and sat at his desk. Ray hummed swinging on the chair slightly.

'Do you wanna come to a party Friday night?' Ray always tried to involve Frank in everything because he loved him and cared about him and worried because Frank was a social recluse as the best of times but over the past week he hadn't seen or heard from Frank and it was worrying. Frank nodded and smiled at Ray trying to seem as normal as possible.

'Yeah. Yeah...Friday? Sounds good.' Frank mumbled picking up his phone and staring at the 4 missed calls from Lindsey. 'Where about?' Frank asked not looking up from his phone.
'Oh, it's at the club. Oh Angels and Kings.' Ray said after a moment of silence. Frank knew the club and was willing to go if only for an hour or two just to make Ray happy. Maybe there would be alcohol involved.

'Cool. I'll see you there. Now I've got a meeting.' Frank said quickly standing up and walking to the door Ray followed him giving him a hug and smiling down at him.

'You're okay? Right?' Ray looked worried and sincere and it scared Frank slightly.

'Yes. Yes I'm fine.' Frank lied smiling brightly up at Ray.

~~~~~~

'If I wanted to talk to a machine Frank I wouldn't call you I would go to the self service machines and scream at one of them.' Frank didn't move from the couch but stared at the door where the voice was coming from. 'Frank Anthony Iero open the fucking door.' He moved uncomfortably in his seat but didn't attempt to get up. 'You've been ignoring me. I get that, but I'm worried.' Her voice softened slightly. 'Frank open up.' She tapped the wooden door lightly and Frank could hear the desperation in her voice. He still didn't move. 'I know you're in there. But I guess I should leave you alone.' He heard her shuffle outside the door. 'But I don't wanna leave you alone because I'm scared about you doing something you regret. Or maybe you're mad at me and if so I would like to know what I've done.' Frank sighed swinging his legs so they touched the ground lightly. He stood and walked slowly over the door engulfing a lung full of air before opening the door.

Lyndsey was standing there her hair messy and her face seemed angry. She moved into the apartment and placed her bag down moving around aimlessly.

'Ignoring my calls. Not opening your door the two times I've come and telling your PA to tell me that you were too busy to talk to me. Why?' Frank stood just staring at her whilst she moved through the apartment ranting and throwing her hands in the air.

'I...' Frank trailed off trying to find some sort of excuse.

'You're my best friend and you won't talk to me. I know something's wrong. I know you.' Lyndsey said and Frank then saw his opportunity to get out.

'No you don't. You don't know me or what's wrong or anything.' Frank was breathing heavily and trying not to loose it completely. 'You have no right to barge in here and tell me I'm in the wrong. There isn't anything wrong.'

'Lair.' Lyndsey shouted at him.

'No, there isn't anything wrong with me and even if there was it's none of your business.' He shouted back.

'Yes it is! Because I care Frank and it's always been us two. I love you and I really don't like seeing you this way.' She tried to call him but it didn't work.

'No.' He shouted moving closer to her. 'You don't care. You shouldn't. You should just....just...' He was in her face and spitting the words at her.

'What?' She shouts in his face.

'Leave!'

And she did. Just like that she grabbed her bag and left. Frank and Lyndsey never fought. Because that wasn't the kind of relationship they had. They both cared and they worked as a duo. But what was happening to Frank was enough to tear anything down and Frank was letting it.

Notes

Hey! I've decided I'm gonna get into a schedule with these fics now. So Aftermath will be updated on Thursdays and Bookworm will be updated on Sundays.

'This Boy' was my grandparents first dance and I love the song so much. I had to put in the fic somewhere.

Please, tell me what you think and check out my other fic if you wanna.

-C