Passing Looks and Disappointed Faces

[Frank's P.O.V.]

I awoke with a start, clutching at my arm from the pain. Another scream rent my lungs as I struggled to sit up straight. Breathing heavily, still gripping at my arm, I looked at my surroundings. It was all bright, much too bright. I wiped my hand across my forehead, brushing away the droplets of cold sweat dripping down. As I slowly began to regain the ability to breathe normally, I realized that there was no pain in my arm; I was not suffering in the least. Frightened by this sudden onslaught of realization and every single one of the five senses, I could do nothing more than let my gaze dart across the room I found myself in.

I breathed a sigh of relief, running my hands over the cool sheets, struggling to calm my racing heart. Chest heaving still, I remained there, taking in the simple familiarity of the room. There was a sudden crashing upon the stairs and, startled, I diverted my attention upon the wooden steps. All I could see was pale skin and a shock of raven hair before I was engulfed in two strong arms. Though I needed no consolation, he whispered reassurances furiously in my ear, pressing me tight against him.

I found myself clutching at his shirt, trying desperately to bring him closer, to assure myself that he was in fact, near me, holding me, alive. Apologies flew past his pale rose lips and he swore that he would never leave me alone like that again. I shook my head, refusing every plea quietly; it was not his fault. His lips fluttered across my neck in gentle butterfly kisses, still mouthing words of support that were not needed. I appreciated them all the same, unable to bear the fact that once he realized his apologies were unnecessary, he would pull away.

I felt as though I were poison, his lips becoming tainted with my vile nature. Despite my feverish skin burning his cool lips, he continued to press them against my flesh. His every kiss, his every touch, was a failed attempt at cleansing me, at removing this curse hanging over my head. There was a weight pressing down on my shoulders, smothering me, but he ignored it, acting as though it didn't exist despite the fact it seemed so painfully obvious to anyone.

I realized then, as his lips traced the dips and curves of my face that I was not alone in the slightest. Regardless of the fact that this was my problem, my fault, he would not be able to leave me to face this myself. I had a companion, despite the despicable mixture coursing through my veins. I took a deep breath as his lips pressed gently against my closed eyelids, suddenly wanting him to rip apart my skin. I wanted him to break through my veins, bleed this affliction from me. I wanted him to rid me of the death in my limbs, my face, my entire body. I wanted him to rid me of the memories whirling desperately around my tortured mind. I wanted him to fix my every error, make me as whole as he seemed to be.

He paused, his lips leaving my heated flesh. I felt as though every touch was marked upon me, leaving a clean imprint on otherwise contaminated tissue. I opened my eyes reluctantly, afraid to look into the molten gold orbs that were his eyes. They stared directly into mine, the gaze never wavering. I wished I could hold such a gaze; I wished my toxic eyes could shine as brightly as his. My blackened lips trembled as I longed to touch his pure skin again; I needed his gentle touch to feel even remotely fine. His eyes began sliding shut as he silently moved closer again, bringing his larger body over mine.

His fingers, long and delicate, moved nimbly over my skin, ghosting his warmth over my cold frame. I couldn't stand it anymore, this proximity to pure life when my insides were rotting further with every passing second. His lips pressed against mine, bringing warmth to my quaking mouth. His every move sent small electric impulses rushing up and down the ridges of my spine. I couldn't stand this but I so desperately yearned for it. The pads of his fingers pressed against my skin, firmly compressing me against his solid body. Gently, he lay me down on the bed, crawling further upwards in order to reach my still-trembling lips.

Every sense was aflame, my skin burning with every touch. A shiver went through me as my shirt somehow left my body, landing in a remote corner of the extensive room. A cold breeze caressed my body, freezing me, but his bare chest pressed against mine, bringing me the warmth he offered. The moments passed in blurs of time and both our pants were rid from our flushed bodies. Still I shivered, trembling from the cool air currents floating towards my body. He did his best to provide his warmth to me, his hips grinding against mine as passion overtook us both.

Guttural noises escaped our kiss-swollen lips, pleasure ricocheting around our bodies as we continued kissing desperately. I pulled apart, looking into his half-closed eyes. Guilt spread through me to the point of nausea, the guilt of my contemptible skin staining his. His hand traced my cheek softly, running down towards my lips. I closed my eyes, his image engraved in my eyelids. I could still see the rolling curves of his face, the curling lashes that protected his hazel eyes. I could still see the emotions playing themselves out on his face, each vying for his attention. I could see the strands of sweat-soaked hair curling delicately around his small ears.

A whimper escaped my lips as his lips fluttered over my arched neck, gently sucking on the pulse point. A soft pulsating pain spread throughout me at the action, spurred on from the recent bruise marring my skin. I writhed under his touch, my nails digging into his sensitive flesh. Guilt still spread through me as I thought on the damage I was causing him, on the rough way in which I grasped at him. He moaned into my ear, his hot breath heating my entire body. I couldn't help but respond to every sound and touch, arching to meet his skin.

"Frank," he whispered in a hoarse voice, trailing a line of kisses down my chest. I nodded silently, trying to control my emotions seeing as they were simply out of control. "Frank?" he muttered again in that husky voice of his, placing kisses on the sharp edges of my ribs.

"G-Gerard?" I managed to stutter as he traveled further down my abdomen. I let a moan escape my lips, my hands clutching the sheets tightly.

"Do you really want this?" he asked, dipping his tongue around my belly button, down the trail of hair below it. I nodded, closing my eyes tightly, trying to stop shaking from the anticipation. "Frank?" he asked again, his lips moving away from my body. I whimpered at the sudden loss, opening my eyes to gaze into his. I nodded again, whispering my approval, trying to convey my every emotion into his liquid eyes. He sighed, breathing gently on my stomach. I shook involuntarily, arching my hips off the bed. He smiled softly, moving back up to my waiting lips.

His hands traveled down my sides, making me squirm. He smiled against my lips, hooking his fingers around the waistband of my boxers. He slowly began to tug them down, his skin brushing delicately against mine. He moved off of me, removing the last vestiges of clothing we both wore. Slightly embarrassed at my sudden lack of concealment, I looked up at the ceiling, trying to grab at the sheets to cover myself.

His hands latched onto mine, pulling the sheets draped over my waist to the side. His eyes feasted upon my body, drinking in every detail and I couldn't help but blush, wondering why he gazed upon me with that hunger in his eyes. "You're beautiful," he whispered, his hands brushing over my chest gently. "You're so goddamned beautiful." I shook my head, looking shyly down at his body, noting the subtle shades of his flesh, the smattering of scars littering his torso. I leaned up, placing a kiss on his jaw, tilting his head upwards slightly.

He smiled, leaning his body down over mine, every area of our bodies touching. I gasped, squirming from the sudden rush of pleasure running through my body. This only caused friction between our bodies, causing the wave of pleasure to increase. He groaned loudly, leaning down to nip at my collarbone. I arched my back, searching for his lips desperately, our moans dissipating into the kiss.

His hand reached down, grasping me firmly. My eyes rolled back into my head as I responded to his touch, his hand beginning a slow rhythm. I whimpered, wanting him to go faster, needing release. As if he were reading my thoughts, his pace increased and he began bringing me closer and closer to the edge. But then, suddenly, as I was arching, ready to jump over the edge, his name on my lips, he stopped. I opened my eyes, seeing the smirk playing on his lips.

I growled, grabbing at his shoulders and rolling him over, placing myself over his body. The smirk disappeared from his lips, his eyes pleading with me for something. He ground his hips into mine, making me gasp, nearly making me explode. He stopped again, grabbing my face to bring me into a mind-blowing kiss. As he kissed me, I let my hand travel down his torso, tracing the line of hair down. I began to do what he had done to me though I was still aching for relief from the pressure building in my lower stomach.

His features contorted, words flying from his mouth with abandon as I quickened my pace. "Frank...dear...fuck...Frank," he moaned desperately, his eyes closing as he gripped my shoulders tightly. I switched to the fastest speed my hand could reach, wanting him to reach his climax. And he did so, my name spilling from his lips as he spilled his load over my hand and our stomachs. He shivered, panting heavily, opening his eyes to look at me blearily. "Your turn," he muttered, flipping me back onto the bed.

He wasted no time, wrapping his lips around me, his hot breath pleasuring me to the point of near pain. I wrapped my fingers in his silken hair, sounding my pleasure with abandon. My thoughts were torn from my head and all I could focus on was the feel of his lips and tongue on my delicate skin. I thrust into his mouth, whimpering as I grabbed the sheets. He nearly gagged, removing his mouth for a moment. I moaned my disappointment, still clutching his hair. And then he was at it again, bringing me to the very edge, making me mewl from pleasure.

And finally, colors burst beneath my eyelids as I spilled into his waiting mouth, shuddering from the intensity. "Gerard!" I managed to yell, releasing my grip on his hair. His lips left me and he swallowed my load without a word, crawling back up my body. Breathing heavily, exhaustion claiming my limbs, I waited until his face was over mine. His lips pressed tenderly against mine, so very gentle after the passion we had exhibited just seconds before. He pulled apart, seeming to struggle with an internal conflict.

"I love you," he finally whispered, pressing his lips against mine again.

With a smile, I replied, "I love you." And just like that, he lay beside me and we fell asleep, wrapped in love's tender embrace.