Frank's P.O.V
Fan-f*cking-tastic. It's 8 am, I've had 2 hours sleep and finally I can hear someone stirring inside Ray and co's room, "Um, it's Frank, d'you think you could let me in?" I plead rapping on the door with my inked black knuckles. I heard murmurred conversation from within and the door swung open, there stood Ray and Mikey looking rather ragged and more than a little confused. "Wow Frankie, someone's up early!" Ray marvelled stepping aside to let me in and giving me a weird look as I flopped down face first onto what I presumed had been his bed as it was the only one not occupied by a snoring Bob Bryar. "Care to explain?" Mikey questioned coming and perching on the end of the bed like a bird someone had attacked with hair straighteners to, it's 8 something or other and he's already taken to the straightners, he's such a girl. "Gerard locked me out." I mumbled into the bed spread inhaling the smell of Ray, thankfully post shower. "Come again?" he queried and I sighed, propping myself against the messy pillows and giving him a death glare "Gerard locked me out. We went out for a fag and he locked me out, payback for pouring his coffee away last week." I explained dragging a hand through my tangled hair Ray and Mikey both started laughingly at the look of despair on my face, they know how much I love to sleep. "Next time Frank don't mess with Gee's coffee, or mine for that matter." smirked Mikey hanging me a mug of pathetically weak coffee with a devilish grin, he was enjoying this way too much. I gulped it down in record time, exhausted yet somehow unable to sleep. "My stuff's still in the other room, I'm gonna go kick Gerard and get changed, thanks for the coffee Mikes." I bid him farewell giving a parting nod to Ray who was mucking around on Mikey's lap-top, before letting the door click shut behind me. I drummed on Gerard's door violently, not caring whether I woke him or not, I was tired, I was still wearing yesterday's clothes and I needed to piss. He opened it fairly quickly and without much pageantry, he looked almost sorry for me and didn't protest as I rooted through his make-up bag for some eyeliner, he looked if possible slightly guilty as I assesed the violet circles beneath my eyes. Good.
We sat down for breakfast in the same greasy cafe as last night, though thankfully we had a different waitress, I'm not sure I could stand Little Miss Sunshine right now, not at this time in the morning. Gerard had lain his pack of ciggarettes open ended on the table between us, ready for use once we were done eating, so as he got up to collect our breakfast, I figured I'd get myself a little payback. I winked at Ray and Mikey and pressed a finger to my lips in a shushing gesture before calmly pouring a glass of juice over the pack and lying the glass beside them to make it look like an accident, it wasn't going to fool him or save me from the come back that was sure to follow, I knew that. But I didn't care. In fact I wanted him to know it was me, what better way to while away a tour than with a revenge war? "What about you Frank? Weren't you meant to be sharing those?" Mikey questioned rather cheerily. He hates the fact that Gerard and I still smoke, but what are we meant to do? They're ticking off our posions one by one, Gerard's especially, smoking seems like a comparitively harmless habit when you think about the stuff he used to be into. "No such luck I'm afraid Mikes, it's just less crap to carry when we share, I've still got a shed load back on the bus but that was Gee's last pack. We were going to start working through my stash next but he's refused access now. On the plus side that's Gerard all out of cancer sticks for a week or so." I pointed out and Mikey cracked a smile "Hope so. Guessing he'll just sweet talk Brian into stopping in the next town though." he reasoned. "Yeah, guess so, oh well, for a day or to at least then." I restated and he nodded contentedly. When Gerard returned several minutes later with a tray full of toast and butter he was greeted by a pack of juice soaked cigarettes and a table full of guilt faced companions. Ha. Sweet revenge. "Frankie?" he growled, giving me a really mad glare, I just grinned "Gotcha!" I yelled fist banging Ray in triumph. Gerard sat down relatively cooly "I guess I deserved that didn't I?" he sighed shaking off the dripping packet and tossing them in a nearby trash can "Yeah, you kinda did." I agreed with a teasing grin, he returned it seemingly happily. "Okay Frankie. Game on. " he smiled serenely, a wicked glint in his hazel eyes. "You sure you wanna do this guys? This could get ugly." checked a slightly worried looking Mikey "Yep." Gerard and I chorused definitively, I met his gaze. "Baby you're gonna wish you never suggested this." I threatened him gleefuly and he grinned "That's what I'm hoping." he winked holding out his hand to shake mine. "Deal." I agreed clasping his unusually warm hand tightly within my own, ignoring the little jolt I felt somewhere in the pit of my stomach at his touch. With that we ate our toast in peace, chuckling covertly at Ray's assesment of the couple opposite us, who were getting rather touchy feely over a bowl of Golden Nuggets. They were sitting in the exact same place as Gerard and I had sat last night. I watched Gee's expression change to a mischevious grin as he too noticed that and I felt his hand rub the inside of my thigh ever so slightly, so swiftly that if I hadn't understood what he was thinking, I would've sworn it was accidental. But I did know what he was thinking and I did know it wasn't accidental. This battle, prank war, revenge spree, whatever it is, is well and truly under way.
We loaded back onto the bus at about ten, wincing at the musty smell as we stepped in, after an hour or two you kinda get desensitised but as we'd been in a relatively clean hotel all night, the stench was a fresh horror. Letting out collective groans Gee, Mikey, Raqy and Bob all crashed out on the bus' only couch, a thread bare brown lump that Ray picked out from this skip we passed a few months back, it's no that we can't afford a couch, we just really couldn't be bothered to face going somewhere where we might be reckognised. The second companies realise we're (If not very) famous, they try and off load a bunch of free shit on us, not only does it feel a bit shady taking it, there isn't any room on the bus to carry it. We end up giving it away to random people and insanely excited MCR fans who've just gotten a "Gift" off their idols are bloody terrifying, believe you me. I on the other hand was already crashed out on a bunk by the time the engine started up , god only knows who's and I'm guessing he's not particuarly bothered, good, 'cause neither am I.
"Frankie? Frank? Frank!" came a somewhat distant voice, I swatted at the unwanted distraction, opening my eyes involuntarily as the light hit them. Ugh, Mikey was crouched awkwardly beside me prodding my side with a fork, what the hell!? "Frank, you need to get up now dude. We've got thirty minutes." he warned, I sighed but sat up all the same, fumbling around for my pants, next thing I knew they were flying towards my face. Although I didn't see them thrown, I saw a lock of dyed black hair dissapear around the door frame and knew who the culprit was, Gerard. Seriously, who else would have done that anyway? I stood, forced my legs into the black denim and stumbled into the kitchen towards what I hoped was the kettle, I was still way too tired to tell. "No way Frankie, I'm not letting you near boiling water like that. Sit. I'll make coffee." instructed Gerard giving me a gentle shove twoards the couch, I grunted my thanks and sunk into the sludge brown fabric, rubbing at my eyes and despairing as black streaks came off on my knuckles, great. Now I not only look stoned, I look like a stoned panda, lovely. A steaming mug was thrust into my hand and I gulped it down gratefully, slolwy ditching the walking dead look. In my more lively state I noticed that Gerard too had taken a nap, seriously? He had all night to sleep. "Where'd you crash?" I wondered aloud and he glanced up from his mug slightly suprised that I'd managed coherent speech "Your bunk. Didn't think you'd mind seeing as you were out cold on mine." he explained and I nodded slolwy, still shaking fuzz from my brains. He grabbed a fairly clean shirt from the table behind us which was loaded with clothes in various states of filth and handed to to me, I pulled off the top from earlier and yanked this new one on unceremoniously, giving him a modest look for the split second I was topless. Then stopped myself before I had the chance to feel indignant. This is Gerard we're talking about, the guy that I've ran round naked in front of a thousand times, the guy I've shared an enclosed space with for the past five years, the guy who's become like a brother to me. And now I'm shy to be topless in front of him? What the f*ck is wrong with me lately!?
He seemed to once again follow my train of thought and winked at me before ducking out of the room into the bedroom to find himself some clean jeans, I sighed and rubbed my eyes, making my way over to the "Bathroom". Which is basically a closet just off the kitchen with a mirror, a medicine cupboard and a sink. I rooted around in the cupboard in search of Gerard's make up remover and made read the instructions on the back carefully. Usually I just leave the sh*t on till my face gets so dirty you can't tell the difference but this time I look a real mess. Just as I went to wipe the bottom of my left eye, the bus jolted and I poked myself in the eye, spilling some of the liquid (which stung like hell!) onto the laminated floor. I cursed quietly looking at my now considerably bloodshot eye in the mirror and sighing once more defeatedly. "Gee! I need help with cosmetics crap!" I yelled, in full knowledge that he could hear me as clearly as I could hear his footsteps thundering through the kitchen to meet me where I stood, cradling my eye uncomfortably in the bathroom. He laughed at the slightly pathetic way I was standing, before pulling my hand away from my face gently "You know this is karma for not asking before you borrowed it." he teased in a quiet calm voice, seizing the half empty bottle of makeup remover in the one hand and brushing my hair out of my face with the other. He soaked some cotton wool in the remover stuff and stroked it across my eyelids and the still purplish bags beneath my eyes "There, almost done." he announced seemingly satisfied with his work "Just close your eyes." he instructed and I did, gripping the sink cautiously with one hand on the off chance that the bus jolted again. I felt something soft brush my cheek and his hot breath on my neck "All better." he whispered into my hair, before clicking the door shut firmly behind him. I let out a deep breath that I'd been unaware I was holding and inadvertently brought my fingertips up to brush the spot he'd kissed. I glanced in the mirror and smiled, my eyes were still semi rimmed with black, but I no longer brought to mind thoughts of cheap chinese takeaway chains, evidently the work of someone with experience. Still smiling, I pushed open the creaking door and went to join the four of them who were all squished onto the sagging couch.
Soon enough we heard the screeching of brakes and the spluttering of the exhaust as our bus pulled into Marysville's Sleep Train Amphitheatre car park, judging by the amount of people milling around outside the place was rammed, I shrugged my shoulders at Ray who had also noticed how packed the car park was, we just slipped on our shades and hoped for the best, there were a few kids who noticed us sneak in through the back and we gave them hesitant waves, but for the most part we went unnoticed by the masses. We were met at the door by Brian and by another guy with a red face and a bushy moustache that didn't quite make up for the fact that he was almost entirely bald. The second man, who's name turned out to be Pete, was the manager of the venue and explained that there was a problem with the air-con, nothing major, he insisted but it was regretably going to be down for our slot tonight. We'd only been in the building for a few minutes but already we were starting to feel the heat, it's California and the middle of summer, scorching outside at the best of times. Let alone inside where the halls are narrow and there are the best part of 70,000 people crammed into the stadium. Gerard smiled reassuringly as Pete asked us if we'd still be able to play, nodding until his neck must have been aching but I knew his laugh too well not to notice the nervous edge. He was looking forward to this about as much as the rest of us, which is to say not at f*cking all. We trudged through the usual warm up routine uncerimoniously, already struggling slightly with the heat, it doesn't effect me too badly but Mikey was already flagging, he doesn't do heat or lack of sleep for that matter and Bob was getting visibly grumpier by the second. I could tell this was going to be a long night.
Traipsing on through the side door, we took our positions on the stage, Gerard was far left, I was near the front slightly to the right, Mikey was centre and to the back and Ray was standing a few paces behind and to the right of me. "How you all doing tonight?" roared Gerard into the shadowy mass of people, the air was thick with humidity and I could feel the heat radiating of the screaming masses, already the back of my neck was damp with sweat and I could feel my jeans sticking to the backs of my calves. "I know it's hot. You know it's hot. And y'know what? I don't give a f*ck! On your feet people. I wanna hear you scream!" he shrieked into the darkness, which seemed to liven up instantaneously at the sound of his voice and began shouting unintelligibly back at him. "Not good enough Marysville, I want to hear you really f*cking scream!" he demanded stubbornly and the crowd seemed to revel in his attention, the air was heavy with heat the entire place seemed to crackle with a kind of electric anticipation, these kids were going to have a good time whether they liked it or not. Gerard Way was not going to let them do otherwise. "This first song, Is How I Dissapear." he announced and whispered "Ready boys ..." into his coms I smiled to myself, I was ready. He wasn't going to let me be anything else. We smashed through the first three songs at break neck speed, the excitement mounting until the heat didn't seem like such an issue anymore, it was clear the crowd were into it, head banging on mass in time to the beat of Famous Last Words and screaming along to the closing verse along with Gee, Ray and I.
I am not afraid to keep on living,
I am not afraid to walk this world alone.
Honey if you stay, I'll be forgiven,
Nothing you can say can stop me going home.
I panted raggedly as the guitar gradually faded out, leaving both us on stage and the fans in the pit feeling somewhat empowered, a sensation that lasted through both Give 'Em Hell Kid and Heaven Help Us, only begining to wear off when we hit the soberingly calm opening chords of Welcome To The Black Parade. Still we trooped on, but it was apparent that the crowd was losing enthusiasm by the minute. By the second half of Mama only the diehards near the front were still headbanging if somewhat wearily in time to the heavy bass and the majority of the crowd had ground to a stand still. I could see people folding makeshift fans out of programmes and wishing their usual attire of Converse and Doc Martens, doubled as a hand fan half as well as the much hated flip-flop. To make up for the audience's lack of energy, Gerard and I were bouncing around the stage like lunatics to the opening of You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us In Prison and as he passed me on the way back to his mic holder he met my eye, I caught a glint of mischeif in his hazel pair. That look right there is practically deadly, I'm not sure what he's got planned but I think it's safe to say I'll enjoy it more than I should.
After a moment or two of screaming into the mic, his voice rising hysterically, he sauntered over to where I stood drenched in sweat and shredding for all I was worth and leant forwards as he neared me as if to kiss my cheek, I ducked out of the way teasingly and he slid off again, back to his side of the stage. I watched curiously at how delighted he looked, usually he'd be pissed that I'd messed up his rhythym but he just winked at a girl on the front row who dissolved into tears and continued crooning into his mic. Smiling widly and looking equal parts angel and sinner, he strutted back in my direction, when he got close enough to reach out and touch me he smirked and I watched his lips form the words "Gotcha." too late for me to formulate a response. He extended a pale hand somehow elegantly to grasp a handful of my damp hair, which he used to wrench my face towards him and smash his hot lips aggresively to mine. I remained frozen as his lips assaulted mine with a suprising force "Frank?" he mumbled into my unwilling pout in an ill diguised objection to my lack of response, tasting of sweat and coffee and ciggarettes. I refused to kiss him back more out of stubborness than self respect, to him this was just another form of revenge, part of our children's game of petty paybacks. Surely he knew how hard it was for me to resist him? Seconds passed like minutes as his lips softened on mine, now less violent and more probing, I presumed he was trying to make me crack but when I heard his voice, muffled against my skin, it sounded almost desperate "Frankie?" he pleaded quietly, his tone more broken than plotting. I relented. Snaking an arm around his waist and holding him too me protectively as if he were the one in danger of getting hurt. His lips moved softly and swiftly with mine before breaking away entirely and giving me a fleeting grin, then he ran back to where he belonged beside the mic stand, followed by the ecstatic screams of the fans and the ocassional cry of disgust from someone who really didn't deserve to be here in the first place.
"What the f*ck was that?" was the first thing I registered being said, I reckognised the voice as Mikey's coming from over the coms "Later." replied another slightly breathless voice that I knew to be Gerard's. If nothing else we'd regained the fan's attention, and managed to piss some people of in the process if the small cluster of angry looking fans exiting the arena was anything to go by. "I dedicate this one to all you people in here who would have me go to hell for what I've just done. You think I need to grow up? I think you need to stop living in the 1800s or get the hell out of here. The kids today, they've got the right idea about one thing. Love is love. It's not their fault you're scared sh*tless ... Ladies and gentlemen, we call this one Teenagers." Gerard roared, managing to turn a moment of adrenaline into a weighty political statement with enviable ease, with that we slammed into the opening of Teenagers, my fingers moving on autopilot as I tried to figure out what the hell I was going to say to Ray and Mikey post show. Somehow, mainly down to Gerard's innate flirtiness tonight, we managed to keep the audience's attention right up until the closing chords of Cancer, at which time I heard Gee let out a sigh of relief, it was over. We could escape to the cool air of the Ampitheatre's car park and get rid of these sweat soaked clothes, my body was aching from the exhursion of shredding in this heat and my head pounded with the confusion of the night, I just wanted to get out of there and get myself a beer. Simple as. We said our goodbyes quickly and slipped off stage to the crowd's somewhat breathless cries, there will be no meet and greets tonight, that for sure, Mikey looks as if he's about to pass out as it is without an extra four hours of being swarmed and signing autographs. When we finally clatered into the bus my first urge was just to grab Gerard and go, take him somewhere anywhere we could talk in peace, preferably somewhere with bondage, for interrogation purposes only of course ... I did however owe Ray, Bob and Mikey an explanation, however much Gerard may owe me one, so I sunk unwiliingly onto the couch grabbing Gerard by the back of his jeans as he tried to escape and hauling him down next to me. "So Gerard, Frank, you know you can tell us anything, we've shared one too many crates of beer over the years for you to shock us now, we will still love you no matter what, so please clarify ... WHAT THE F*CK IS GOING ON!?" Ray questioned us rather too enthusiastically and with many different shades of sarcasm, he'd barely got the last syllable out when Gerard and I yelled in union "Don't ask me!" and broke down into the laughing fit to end all laughing fits, watched by the false scathing looks of Mikey, Bob and Ray. "We have no f*cking clue .." Gerard wheezed perfectly honestly and it was clear that was the most either of us understood, so with that I grabbed a hold of his pale hand and dragged him towards my favoured hiding place, where I seriously hope we can sort out this mess.
I shoved him not so gently into the boiler room, a neatly concealed if incredibly cramped cupboard to the very back of the bus that contains our water heater, there's barely enough room for just me in there, let alone him and his long legs, but somewhow we both managed to wedge ourselves between the warm metal of the heater and the closet door. I could feel Gerard's leg pressing against mine, his breathing was heavy beside me in the quiet darkness and everything was made a bit easier by the fact that I couldn't see his face that was surely mocking my tangible shyness right now. "D-did you enjoy that?" I rushed the words and was a little suprised that he had understood enough to reply "Yes." that answer shocked me even more but encouraged me to continue asking. "Would you have enjoyed that even if it's aim wasn't to piss me off?" I continued hoping he'd answer this one with the same degree of honesty "Hell yes!" he whispered in a way that made my pants suddenly feel much tighter around my crotch, I sighed rageddly with relief, though the air in here was thick with heat I could feel the weight of emotion in it and I involuntarily leaned closer to him. "Did you want to kiss me back before I begged you too?" he probed and I was suprised at the caution in his voice, which was now close enough that I could feel his hot breath on my neck "F*ck yeah ..." I murmurred into the darkness and was rewarded by the brush of his warm lips on the nape of my neck trailing upwards to my jaw bone and clamping down gently on a place somewhere inbetween, I shivered and reached out automatically to hold him back as he rose to leave. "Good. I'd hate to think this sh*t was all one sided." he chuckled giving my fingers one last squeeze and blowing a kiss, before leaving me behind to hyperventilate in peace.
This is the best day ever.