Gerard was giddy with happiness. Out! He was out. And he had Frank, too, which meant he had all his secrets contained right here. And so far, even though it was almost certain that Lindsey and Hayley had told his superiors about Frank, Frank was still alive, and hadn't been killed. Yet.

He thought it was about time for some celebration!

Unfortunately, the limousine ride was long and boring, and Gerard was forced to sit on the leather seats, squirming and glaring out the window, just wanting to get out a burn off some of the energy pent up inside of him. He felt as though he could conquer the world, not that he didn't feel that way before, but now...now he was free.

Gerard glanced over at Frank, who was chewing his lip ring anxiously and tapping his fingers against his knees. He looked out of place here, Gerard thought, especially with the too-big suit hanging off of his slender frame and his pale skin all but glowing in the dim interior of the car. His brows were drawn with worry, and his green eyes were big and...scared? Why the fuck was he scared? Gerard frowned and slithered off of his seat, coming to sit beside Frank, whose head jerked up and turned towards him.

"What d'you want?" Frank huffed, hair falling over his eyes. The long, brown strands looked greasy.

Gerard hummed and nosed at the skin of Frank's neck, inhaling and murmuring, "When we get to the hotel, the first thing you need is a shower."

Frank shoved him away weakly. "What the hell, Gerard? What makes you think I'm even staying with you?"

Gerard frowned again, straightening up and narrowing his eyes. "Of course you're staying with me. Why wouldn't you?"

"Oh, I don't know, maybe because I'm my own person and I can do what I want?"

Oh, Frankie. Naive little Frankie. "That's true," Gerard admitted, "but then again, now my superiors know you must know something, so they'll have their eye on you."

Frank gulped. "But I don't know anything." Gerard raised an eyebrow and produced the necklace from where he'd tucked it into the collar of the shirt. Frank's eyes widened and he shook his head. "I don't know what that is, I swear to God."

"But they don't know that." Gerard knew he'd already won, but was content to toy with Frank a little longer.

"W-what would they do to me?"

"Any number of things," Gerard said casually, examining his fingernails. They needed to be painted. "They might cut out your tongue to ensure you say nothing...or chop off your hands so you can't write anything, either. Honestly, though, they'd probably just slit your throat...make it impossible for you to spill any of our secrets."

"And...and if I stay with you?"

"Well, they might still order that you be properly disposed of. On the other hand...with me, you have a chance of survival, and I have the power to perhaps talk them out of killing you. How does that sound?"

Frank glared at Gerard. "That's hardly a choice at all."

Gerard bit his lip in mock thoughtfulness. "Well, let me make it easier for you - if you leave me, I'll hunt you down and kill you."

Frank paled. "You wouldn't."

Gerard smirked, running his nail down Frank's jugular vein, pressing down ever so slightly. Frank shivered. "You know I would."

"Great," Frank replied, shifting away. "Guess that settles it, then - I'll stay with the bloodthirsty murderer."

"Assassin," Gerard corrected, breathing hot air over Frank's ear, "and you know, there are perks to staying with me."

"Are there now?" Frank asked, eyes flat.

"Yes," Gerard answered, kissing Frank's jawbone and watching him wriggle uncomfortably.

"Like rape?"

Gerard paused, and chuckled darkly. "It's not rape if you want it."

"I don't."

"Oh, baby. Such a pretty little liar." Gerard pulled back and admired the small purple bruise left behind. "Now that we're not in that disgusting old prison, we can have so much more fun. So many more...resources, you know."

Frank sucked in a sharp breath. "Do I want to know?"

"Mm," Gerard considered, "no, it's probably best left as a surprise."

"I don't suppose any of those situations in your head involve you in handcuffs?"

Gerard giggled madly, flicking his tongue out and touching skin. "Me? I'm afraid not. Why?" he raised an eyebrow at Frank. "Do you like that image?"

"Only if you're also dead," Frank hissed.

"Necrophilia?" Gerard nodded slowly. "I would not have guessed that of you, but, no matter."

Frank made a face of disgust. "No! What...no. Ugh. You're disgusting. And conceited."

"It's been said." Gerard yawned and leaned back in the seat. "Wake me when we get there, will you?"

"Or I could just kill you," Frank muttered.

"Now, now," Gerard chided, tapping his neck again, in warning, "remember what we talked about."

xoxoxo

Gerard wasn't surprised to be woken up an hour later, not at all dead. Frank didn't have the guts. The kid had too much empathy, that was evident already. They were ushered out by the chauffeur to the squat Hilton Garden Inn. Gerard checked the address to ensure it was the right one - it was, of course, there were rarely mistakes in the system, but he'd experienced his fair share. Always best to make sure.

"Thank you," Gerard said to the chauffeur, who simply dipped his head before climbing back into his limousine. They were left alone on the drop-off curb in front of the hotel, and Gerard narrowed his eyes at Frank, silently telling him to follow.

They went through the revolving doors into the main lobby, and Gerard felt momentary discomfort at being in a closed space once more. After the prison...oh, the plane ride was going to be just peachy. Shaking his head, he strode up to the front desk, where a mousy receptionist looked at him over her unfashionably round glasses. "May I help you?"

"Yes, thank you, the name is Zale. I already booked my room."

She looked up at him again. "Mr. Arthur Zale?"

Gerard nodded. "Yes."

She sighed. "Identification?"

Gerard wanted to slap her, but refrained and pulled the ID out of his pocket, praying that Lindsey had indeed made everything as smooth as she'd said. He mentally cheered when his own face stared back at him, with different information, of course. Smiling with gritted teeth, he handed it over to the receptionist. Frank was nervous, he could tell. The little slut better not give them away.

After looking at it for an unreasonably long time, she smiled back, her expression just as fake and plastered on as his, and said, "Excellent. Well, here's your room key, for 310 on the third floor. It has one queen size bed...will you be requiring a different room with two beds?" Her eyes flicked over to Frank.

"Ah, no. We'll be comfortable with one, thank you."

Gerard looked at her with dark eyes, challenging her to protest, but all she said was, "Right, yes, of course. Have a nice day." The laminated rectangle that was their room key was handed over, and he and Frank made their way to the shiny elevator. Frank didn't seem too happy about the sleeping arrangement, but kept quiet, which was wise of him.

xoxoxo

Gerard left Frank in the hotel room to get Starbucks - he was seriously craving coffee, and it would help take the edge off. Unfortunately it wouldn't make him any less jittery and energetic...Gerard was hoping Frank would help with that. He locked him in the room, anyway - it wouldn't be smart to take any chances here.

The hotel had a Starbucks downstairs, which was a relief, and Gerard took his own order before, after some debate, getting Frank a latte, too. Perhaps the coffee would make him more willing about this whole matter, that was Gerard's only reasoning behind it. It wasn't a gesture of kindness, no, not at all.

He carried the steaming cups upstairs and paused in front of the door when he heard the sound of water being shut off. Oh, hell no. Frank hadn't actually dared to take a shower without him...but when he slid the room key in and shoved the door open, Frank was coming out of the bathroom in a towel, swinging his head over to Gerard and looking for all the world like a deer caught in headlights.

Gerard rolled his eyes. "Your plan to avoid me failed rather spectacularly, it seems."

"You got me coffee," Frank said numbly, pulling the towel closer around himself.

"You took a shower," Gerard replied, huffing. "Is it State The Obvious Day?"

"You're a jerk."

"You're hilarious."

"I know, right?"

"Don't get cocky, sugar," Gerard growled, setting the coffee down, "or I might have to do something about that attitude of yours."

Frank, forgetting about the towel, crossed his arms. "Something like?"

The towel fell, and Gerard looked at the uncovered skin pointedly. Frank squealed and leaped backwards, scrambling to get the towel back, but Gerard snatched it, his grin wolfish. "What the fuck, give that back!" Frank exclaimed, making grabby hands, but Gerard took a step closer to him, winking suggestively, and Frank cried out in outrage when Gerard lunged at him. Frank managed to escape and started towards the bathroom, presumably so he could lock himself inside, and that was when Gerard got sort of pissed off.

"Oh, no you don't," he hissed, pouncing and rolling, catching a startled Frank below him.

"Fuck," Frank whispered, and Gerard's lips curled up victoriously.

"Got you."

"We're on the floor."

"You're hot."

Frank blinked. "What?"

"Oh, sorry," Gerard said, flipping his hair back and looking down through his lashes, "just stating the obvious again."

Frank flushed and said uncertainly, "Thank y-"

"Oh, don't strain yourself," Gerard snorted, "wouldn't want you to sprain something."

Frank scrunched up his nose. "I was only trying to-"

"You're talking too much," Gerard said reasonably, kissing him so hard that his tongue actually got cramps.

Frank pulled away, put out. "Well, if you would just let me-"

"Nope," Gerard sniffed, "I'm not letting you do anything."

"I'm getting that vibe," Frank muttered, but he let Gerard kiss him again without too much complaint.

And, well, you know, he let Gerard do a few other things, but those shall remain unmentioned.